SpanJazz will kick off a summer of jazz with the world class tenor master Art Themen alongside The John Gibbon Trio on Thursday 30 June.
Art Themen, the saxophone-playing orthopaedic surgeon who has been an appealing presence on the British jazz circuit for over 40 years, hasn’t lost his appetite for the lateral. Originally a Dexter Gordon and Sonny Rollins stylist, Themen has proved himself remarkably attentive to the saxophone styles of subsequent generations.
In July, SpanJazz will witness the dancing exuberance of South African Township music on Thursday 21 July with the Philip Clouts Quartet.
The convivial groove of gospel-influenced soul jazz, the joyful sway of Cuban guaguanco rhythms, the bluesy melodies of Middle Eastern praise songs and so much more all come together in pianist Philip Clouts’ superbly accomplished quartet.
‘Clouts’ compositions are strong and likeable…a feeling of optimism pervading the tunes with a life force of its own’ (All About Jazz).
Finally, The Arcadian Collective will complete a summer of jazz on Thursday 11 August.
The Arcadian Collective is a creative 6 piece jazz-funk group conceived as a collective after years of collaborating, recording and gigging under various musical identities. The focus is on groove centred jazz and improvisation drawing on inspiration from Miles Davis, Santana, Jaco Pastorius, Marcus Miller, Eddie Harris and Weather Report.
All of these events will take place at the Plas Hyfryd Hotel, Narberth. The hotel will be serving meals before 8pm. Meals can be ordered for the interval (call Plas Hyfryd to arrange food).
Tickets are available from the Span Arts box office on 01834 869 323 or online at spanarts.org.uk. Music starts at 8pm.
