About

Over 60 years since he first made his mark with the Cambridge University Jazz Band, Art Themen is still picking up accolades. He received a lifetime achievement award from the Worshipful Company of musicians and was recently shortlisted for Jazz musician of the year in the Parliamentary Jazz Awards. His early career took him through a spell with Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated, work with contemporary British composers, a long association with Stan Tracey and associations with such American giants as Charlie Rouse, Nat Adderley and Red Rodney – all while working as a consultant orthopaedic surgeon.

Since retirement Art has worked intensively on the jazz scene and is particularly proud of acquiring Ronnie Scott’s tenor sax! At the moment he has two recordings coming out over the next couple of months, one with a trio featuring George Double and Pete Whitaker, and the other with a quintet including Denny Ilett, Jonny Bruce, Andy Crowdy and Graham Harvey.