Godfather of British jazz Stan Tracey may have left us for the great stage in the sky but his fans are determined to keep his legacy alive in St Albans.

Fansofstan has organised a special Jazz Pianists’ Spring programme, with a trilogy of top performers and their band appearing at The Maltings Arts Theatre from now until April.

First up on Saturday, February 22 is The Leon Greening Trio. The Leeds and Guildhall trained frontman plays with calm intensity and swinging intelligence and will be joined by up-and-coming bassist Adam King, and drummer Steve Brown.

On March 29, David Newton will take to the stage. His elegant, jazz-imbued musicianship has won him multiple awards on the British scene. This year, the trio has morphed into a quartet, with trumpeter Martin Shaw, Alec Dankworth on bass and Sebastiaan De Krom on drums.

The trilogy draws to a close on April 26 with an explosion of exuberant talent in the form of Reuben James. The 20-year-old is still a student at Trinity Laban Conservatoire, but already plays with awe-inspiring technique, great imagination and an abundance of joy.

Fansofstan came into existence in 2008 when the original promoter of the annual St Albans Arts gig, where Stan was due to perform, was forced to withdraw and has been hosting jazz gigs ever since.

The group’s inspiration, legendary musican Stan Tracey, passed away on December 6, 2013, aged 86, following a battle with cancer.

Member Marion Hammant says: “Perhaps it’s because we’re trying to come to terms with the loss of our eponymous jazz hero, Stan Tracey, that Fansofstan is flooding the beginning of its 2014 season at the Maltings Arts Theatre with a wealth of piano music.”

The Maltings Arts Theatre, Level 2, The Maltings, St Albans. Details: 0844 8700 887, ticketsource.co.uk/ovo or in person at the Tourist & Information Centre, Market Place, St Albans