This exciting double bill features one of the stalwarts of the UK jazz scene, tenor saxophonist Art Themen, and two of this country's brightest young stars: vibraphonist Lewis Wright and pianist Kit Downes.

 

ART THEMEN

"His ideas (are) eclectic in an unpredictable style that has outlasted the Coltrane clones of his generation," wrote the London Evening Standard's Jack Massarick when reviewing a performance by Art.

 

A stalwart of the British jazz scene for more than 50 years, Mancunian Art's saxophone style originally owed much to the influence of Dexter Gordon and Sonny Rollins, but later influences included such disparate saxophonists as Coleman Hawkins, Evan Parker and John Coltrane.

 

In 1974 Art entered what was to be one of his central musical relationships when he linked up with Stan Tracey, playing and touring with all of his groups.

 

During his illustrious career, Art has played with the Peter Stuyvesant Jazz Orchestra, Michael Garrick, Ian Carr and Graham Collier, and toured with visiting US musicians, including Nat Adderley, Red Rodney, George Coleman and Al Haig.

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Art's new Organ Trio - which has released the quirkily titled CD, Thane And The Villeins - features the soulful organ groves of Pete Whittaker and drummer George Double.

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Expect mischief and twinkly charm from a genuine treasure of British jazz.

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LEWIS WRIGHT & KIT DOWNES

Both award-winning, internationally recognised musicians in their own right, Lewis and Kit are regarded by critics as one of the most virtuosic and original duos in recent years to emerge on the UK jazz scene. 

 

While Gary Burton and Chick Corea’s classic Crystal Silence album can draw comparison, with their 2018 Duets debut CD, these two precociously talented young musicians have reached a degree of instrumental mastery and ventured beyond.

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A composer influenced by artists such as Chick Corea, Steve Swallow, Gary Burton and Mike Gibbs, Lewis knows how to write tunes that are both launch pad and docking station for improvisation, and has a true composer’s sense of when less is more.

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ECM recording artist Kit won the Best Album Award at the 2014 Parliamentary Jazz Awards.