Art Themen & Pete Whittaker

Headliner: Art Themen & Pete Whittaker
+ support from Ted Morcaldi

An exciting and inventive saxophonist, Art Themen is an alumnus of St Catharine’s College and has been an appealing presence on the British jazz circuit for over 60 years. A recipient of a lifetime achievement award from the Worshipful Company of Musicians and shortlisted for Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year in a recent Parliamentary Jazz Awards, this living legend famously combined his role as a consultant orthopaedic surgeon at the Royal Berkshire Hospital with saxophone duties in the bands of Alexis Korner and Stan Tracey, as well as recordings with Joe Cocker, Jack Bruce and even Bing Crosby.

He was a member of the Cambridge University Jazz Band, which won successive annual university competitions, leading to key contacts in the 1960s London jazz and blues scene. Described by the Observer as “one of a tiny handful of undeniably perfect jazz musicians”, he remains as brilliant and inimitable as ever.

Art is joined by Pete Whittaker, organist with his regular trio, who gained a music degree at the University of East Anglia and then a Masters degree in electroacoustic music. Married to another acclaimed pianist, Kate Williams, Pete changed tack to play the Hammond organ and honed his skills touring Europe and America in the 1990s.

• Art Themen – saxophone
• Pete Whittaker – piano

There will be a support performance by Ted Morcaldi.

Starts 7:00pm. All ages (under-14s must be accompanied by an adult).