Jazz at the Vaults: Art Themen - Saxaphone

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, Joe Cocker, George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Mick Jagger and Chuck Berry.  Themen has toured world wide and played and recorded with many US and British luminaries including Red Rodney, Philly Joe Jones, Nat Adderley, Sal Nistico, Billy Mitchell, Buddy Shank and Al Haig.
 
He fronted the Stan Tracey quartet for 20 years from 1976.  Key influences are Sonny Rollins and Dexter Gordon.  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.