Biography acker bilk musicians friend

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Bilk became the first British artist to have a single reach the top of the Billboard Hot 100 singles charts. This single began a string of 11 top 50 hits. The song "Jenny" was re-titled "Stranger on the Shore," and brought Bilk great success on both sides of the Atlantic. Bilk then switched to the cabaret scene. “Stranger on the Shore”, which sold more than one million copies, was awarded a Gold disc.

Bilk wasn’t an international star until 1962, when he created a string quartet and his own composition as the main piece. Bilk became one of the brightest representatives of the new wave of traditional jazz that swept Britain at that time.

Breakthrough with "Stranger on the Shore"

In 1960, Bilk's single "Summer Set" entered the charts and became the first of eleven recordings to be included in the top 50 in the country.

Bilk was part the traditional jazz boom that swept the United Kingdom during the 1950s. Acker has received many many awards, including platinum and gold, for many of his numbers, including Aria and of course, Stranger On The Shore .
Acker and Tony Blair

Acker Meets the Prime Minister when receiving an Honorary MA July 2005
Photo by courtesy of Martin Chainey

Over the years Acker varies his recording; Jazz with his Paramount Jazz Band; romantic melodies with string orchestras; and guesting with other prominent Jazz and rock musicians such as the late Humphrey Lyttelton, Van Morrison, Dutch Swing College Band, Papa Bue.

“As Time Goes By” was his last live Jazz recording with his Paramount Jazz Band produced by Les Squires, Acker Tour Manager of some 34 years. In 1954, he joined Ken Colyer’s group, then formed his own band, The Paramount Jazz Band in 1956. This really disciplined the Band musically and they never looked back
Acker receiving an award from BMI in November 2004 for over 4 million plays of ‘Stranger On The Shore’

Back in London hit jazz records started Creole Jazz and Summer Set.

Then in 1961 Acker recorded Stranger on the Shore, which was originally called Jenny after his daughter, but the title changed when it became the theme tune for a BBC TV series. With this lineup he recorded Blaze Away, which included "Aria," his first hit in more than ten years. Vera Lynn was the first British singer to reach the top of the U.S.

charts. Bruce Turner, Mick Mulligan, and Bilk also attended. In 2003 he performed with the reunited Paramount Jazz Band for concerts that also featured the Big Chris Barber Band and Kenny Ball and His Jazzmen. Acker Requests Nixa, 1958.

Mr. He returned to London in 1951 with his band, staying with his wife in a factory attic in Plaistow.

Acker music seems to be everywhere, his fans are from all around the World and the Moon!

Having toured the World for nearly 60 years and seen most of its wonders it is typical of Acker that he is back living in Somerset with Jean, whilst his daughter, Jenny, and son, Pete, both live in Hertfordshire. In the 21st Century double and treble bills are the flavour of the month – “Back to Back” Acker and his Band with Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen, started in 2005 every concerts has been a sell out; then there was “Humph ‘n’ Acker” with the late Humphrey Lyttleton and his Band; and then the ultimate “3B in Concert” Acker and his Paramount Jazz Band, with Kenny Ball and Chris Barber and their Bands.
Acker Bilk – Parliamentary Jazz Awards 2012
‘Acker with Lord Prescott and Jamie Cullum receiving his Lifetime Achievement Award at the Parliamentary Jazz Awards, 2012
Photo courtesy of PPL & Photographer Hayley Madden

Coming more up-to-date in November 2008 Acker was awarded The Worshipful Company of Musicians Silver Medal for Lifetime Achievement, and April 2009 saw the Variety Club honouring Acker with a “Tribute to Acker and his Music”.

Believe it or not Acker’s music has been enjoyed in Outer Space.

His style was further altered by the lack of two teeth that had been knocked out in a fight.

Bilk released a number of albums in England, which were also successful in America (on Atlantic Records subsidiary Atco), and included a memorable collaboration (“Together”) with Bent Fabric (“The Alley Cat”), a Danish jazz pianist-composer. Trombonist John Mortimer was replaced by Campbell Burnap. Acker Bilk Requests (Part One) Pye, 1959.