Art Themen's New Directions
Art Themen
Entry Requirements: Under 16s are not permitted in the venue. Under 18s must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.
Described by the Observer as ‘one of the very few totally original, utterly engaging jazz musicians around’, saxophonist Art Themen brings his supergroup New Directions back to the Bull’s Head.
Pianist Gareth Williams, drummer Dave Barry, bassist Arnie Somogyi and trumpeter Steve Fishwick are rightly regarded as leaders in their field having been educated by and appointed professors at the Guildhall, Royal Academy, Leeds and the Birmingham conservatoires. The band has been described in the Guardian as “A collective that might stand comparison with any in the wider world of Jazz”.
Their recent album showcases some of Jazz‘s lesser known gems from composers such as the Thelonious Monk, Dexter Gordon and Charles Mingus together with original compositions from Messrs Williams Fishwick and Somogyi.
“Top of my favourites was Art Themen‘s New Directions playing the perfect storm of a set”. Swanage jazz festival review. The band’s last two appearances at the Bulls Head were sold out so early booking recommended.
Line Up
Art Themen
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.
