Art Themen: Thane & The Villeins | Henley

Sun 29 Jan | Art Themen: Thane & The Villeins | Art Themen saxes, Pete Whittaker organ, George Double drums | Kenton Theatre, 19 New St, Henley-on-Thames RG9 2BP | 3pm | Adult £24, concessions £20 | Full information and tickets here

A fantastically exciting, playful and inventive saxophonist, Art Themen has been a beloved character of the British jazz scene for over 50 years, famously combining his role as a consultant orthopaedic surgeon with saxophone duties in the bands of Alexis Korner and Stan Tracey among many others. Described by The Observer as “One of the tiny handful of undeniably perfect jazz musicians”, he remains as brilliant and inimitable as ever.

With organist Pete Whittaker, formerly of The Nigel Price Organ Trio, and drummer George Double who has worked as sideman to Shirley Bassey and Jack Jones, Themen has formed a new trio. Their album Thane & The Villeins is a collection of groove-led re-imaginings of quirky curiosities from the jazz canon, acting as a perfect vehicle for the twinkly mischief of this genuine grandee of British jazz.

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