EFG 2023 London Jazz Festival: Art Themen’s New Directions Quintet
Art Themen Quintet
Entry Requirements: Under 16s are not permitted in the venue. Under 18s must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.
Art Themen’s New Directions Quintet:
Part of the EFG 2023 London Jazz Festival
Art Themen, one of the UK’s leading tenor saxophonists formed the New Directions Quintet to showcase some of jazz’s lessor known gems from composers such as Thelonius Monk. ‘New Directions’ reflects Art’s desire for a fresh though accessible examination of this music along with the additional musical firepower of compositions by leading jazz luminaries, pianist Mike Gorman, trumpeter Steve Fishwick, bassist Arnie Somogyi and drummer Winston Clifford. Dave Kelly of the Guardian describes Art as; “One of a handful of undeniably perfect jazz musicians….”
Line Up
Art Themen Quintet
Saxophones
Art Themen was involved in the traditional jazz scene in Manchester in the late 1950s. A member of the award winning Cambridge University jazz band from 1958 to 1961, he became involved in the early London blues scene, playing alongside Alexis Korner, Jack Bruce, Mick Jagger and Chuck Berry. He fronted the Stan Tracey quartet for 20 years from 1976. Key influences are Sonny Rollins and Dexter Gordon. Themen has toured world wide and played and recorded with many US and British luminaries. A busy and sought after musician who nowadays is most often seen on stage with many of the best of Britain's top jazz players such as Alan Barnes, John Donaldson, John Critchinson, Dave Newton, Georgie Fame, Don Weller, Mornington Lockett, among many others. Themen is a player who is known for his originality and individual style
