Bernard Stanley "Acker" Bilk, MBE, was an English clarinetist and vocalist born on January 28, 1929, in Pensford, Somerset, England. Known for his distinctive breathy, vibrato-rich clarinet style and his iconic appearance featuring a goatee, bowler hat, and striped waistcoat, Bilk became a prominent figure in the trad jazz scene. His musical journey began during his National Service with the Royal Engineers, where he learned to play the clarinet.

Bilk initially joined Ken Colyer's jazz band before forming his own ensemble, The Paramount Jazz Band, in 1956. The band became a key part of the new wave of traditional jazz in Britain. Bilk achieved international fame with his 1962 hit "Stranger on the Shore," which became the UK's biggest selling single of 1962 and the first to simultaneously top the UK and US charts. This success marked Bilk as one of the few British artists to achieve such a feat at the time.

Throughout his career, Bilk released numerous albums and singles, with "Summer Set" being another notable hit. Despite the decline in popularity of traditional jazz with the rise of rock music, Bilk continued to perform and record, receiving various honors, including an MBE in 2001 for his contributions to music. He was also recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Parliamentary Jazz Awards in 2012.

Bilk passed away on November 2, 2014, in Bath, Somerset, leaving behind a legacy as a beloved jazz musician whose unique style and humor endeared him to audiences worldwide.