Art Themen...
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Art Themen...
Art Themen
Art Themen
Art Themen was born in Lancashire in November 1939. He played clarinet at school and in 1958 went to Cambridge University to study medicine where he played in the University jazz group. He moved to London in1961 to study at St. Mary's Hospital Medical School and began to play on the London scene with Dave Gelly, Alexis Korner and Graham Bond. He successfully combined his medical career as a consultant orthopaedic surgeon with being a popular jazz musician. He began working with Stan Tracey in 1974 and continued with various Tracey groups until 1995. He was now playing soprano sax and sopranino sax as well as the more usual tenor sax.
He started to work with Michael Garrick in the 1960s and continued to work with Michael Garrick's Sextet and with Don Weller during his long association with Stan Tracey. He has also accompanied many visiting US musicians including Al Haig, Red Rodney and Billy Mitchell and worked with Nat Adderley. With various groups he has toured extensively including India, the Middle East, Greece, South America, Switzerland, Indonesia and played at many festivals. He has a quirky, very original style of playing.
He led own quintet or quartet from 1996 and co-led a band with Alan Barnes and he has continued to freelance into the early 2000s with Georgie Fame and Don Weller amongst others.
Peter Comton Big Band - September 30th, 1965 (Sound of eleven - 77LEU12/14)
John Burnett, Dave Mowatt, Ian Fenby (tp), Mike Carroll (tb), Peter Ward (as,ts), Ray Warleigh (as-1), Keith Thomas, Art Themen (ts), Peter Comton (bs), Colin Parnell (p), Peter Hughes (b), Chuck Smith (d).
C Jam Blues*/Da Capo*/By Request (1)*/Clea*/Djinn (1)*/Sound Of Eleven*/Over The Rainbow (1)*/Mountolive And Balthazar (1)*/Nessim (unissued)/Tonk (unissued)/The Hard School (unissued) .
(*Progressive CD - Pete Comton Big Band/Pat Hawes)

The record detailed below was recorded in St. Pauls Cathedral, London...
Michael Garrick / Ian Carr - October 25th, 1968 (Jazz praises at St. Paul's - Airborne NBP0021)
Ian Carr (tp,flhrn), Jimmy Phillip (ts,cl,fl), Art Themen (ts,ss,fl,cl), Michael Garrick (org), Coleridge Goode (b), John Marshall (d)
Anthem*/Sanctus*/Kyrie*/Behold, A Pale Horse*/Salvation March*/Rustat's Grave Song*/The Lord's Prayer*/Agnus Dei*/Confiteor*/Psalm 73*/The Beatitudes* (on CD only)/Carolling* (on CD only).
(*Jazz Academy CD - Jazz Praises at St. Pauls)

Recorded at the Farnham Festival, a private pressing was issued to festival goers...
Michael Garrick - May 13th, 1969 (Erase EO254)
Ian Carr (flhn), Art Themen, Don Rendell (reeds), Michael Garrick (p), Coleridge Goode (b), John Marshall (perc), John Smith (vcl).
Part One/Part Two.

The titles below were recorded at "Queen Elizabeth Hall", London. I have no record release information...
Michael Garrick Sextet - June 22nd, 1969 (?????)
Ian Carr (tp,flhrn), Don Rendell, Art Themen (ts,sop,cl,fl), Michael Garrick (p), Dave Green (b), Trevor Tomkins (d).
Children's Chorus/Ophelia's Lay/Trane's Mood.

Michael Garrick Sextet - January 20th,21st and 22nd, 1970 (The heart is a lotus - Argo ZDA135)
Ian Carr (tp,flhrn), Don Rendell, Art Themen (ts,sop,cl,fl), Michael Garrick (p), Coleridge Goode (b), Trevor Tomkins (d), Norma Winstone (vcl).
The Heart Is a Lotus*/Song By The Sea*/Torrent*/Temple Dancer*/Blues On Blues*/Voices*/Beautiful Thing*/Rustat's Grave Song*/Rest (unissued).
(*Vocalion CD - The heart is a lotus)
(*BGO CD - Black Marigolds / The heart is a lotus)

Michael Garrick Sextet - April 7th, 1972 (Home stretch blues - Argo ZDA154)
Henry Lowther (tp,flhrn,vln), Don Rendell (ts), Art Themen (ts,sop,fl), Michael Garrick (p,harpsichord), Dave Green (b), Trevor Tomkins (d), Norma Winstone (vcl).
Home Stretch Blues*/Sweet And Low*/Epiphany*/Fire Opal and Blue Poppies*.
(*Vocalion CD - Home stretch blues)

Michael Garrick Sextet - October 13th, 25th and 26th, 1973 (Troppo - Argo ZDA163)
Henry Lowther (tp,flhrn,vln), Don Rendell, Art Themen (ts,sop,fl), Michael Garrick (p,el-p), Dave Green (b), Coleridge Goode (b-1), Trevor Tomkins (d), Norma Winstone (vcl).
Troppo!*/To Henry A Son*/Lime Blossom* (dr out)/Sons Of Art*/Fellow Feeling* (1)/Overtones Of A Forgotten Music* (dr out).
(*Vocalion CD - Troppo)

Stan Tracey Quartet - November 3rd, 1975 live at "100 Club" (Captain Adventure - Steam SJ102)
Art Themen (sop,ts), Stan Tracey (p), Dave Green (b), Brian Spring (d).
Doin' It For Art*/See Meenah*/Tease 'N' Freeze*/Captain Adventure*. (Seven other titles were recorded but not issued at the time: Sphere 13*/Constant Pud*/Afro-Charlie*/Lover Man*/Upwards, Ever Upwards*/They'll Call Us*/Blues In G*). Two other titles with just Tracey and Mike Osborne (as) remain unissued.
(*Tentoten CD - Return of Captain Adventure)

Stan Tracey Quartet - May 22nd, 1976 (Under Milk Wood (1976) - Steam TAA271, RCAPL25073)
Art Themen (sop,ts), Stan Tracey (p), Dave Green (b), Brian Spring (d), Donald Houston (narr).
Starless And Bible Black/No Good Boyo/I Lost My Step In Nantucket (AT out)/AM Mayhem/Pen Pals/Llareggub/Under Milk Wood/Cockle Row.

Stan Tracey Octet - September 20th, 1976 live at "Shaw Theatre" (Steam)
Harry Beckett (tp,flhrn), Malcolm Griffiths (tb), Art Themen (sop,ts), Peter King (as), Don Weller (ts), Stan Tracey (p), Dave Green (b), Brian Spring (d).
Cuddly/Agitato Sympatico/Fraggie Bar Waltz/Timespring/Concerto For An Out Of Tune Piano. (All of these titles remain unissued).

Stan Tracey Octet - November 29th, 1976 live at "100 Club" (The Bracknell collection - Steam SJ103)
Harry Beckett (tp,flhrn), Malcolm Griffiths (tb), Art Themen (sop,ts), Peter King (as), Don Weller (ts), Stan Tracey (p), Dave Green (b), Brian Spring (d), Donald Houston (narr).
Cuddly*/Agitato Sympatico*/Fraggie Bar Waltz*/Timespring*. (Four other titles recorded remain unissued: A Jam/Spectrum No 1/Spectrum No 2/Spectrum No 3).
Art Themen (sop,ts), Stan Tracey (p), Dave Green (b), Brian Spring (d), Donald Houston (narr).
Bye Bye Blackbird (unissued)/Unknown title (unissued>
(*ReSteamed CD - Early works)

Stan Tracey Quartet - June 6th, 1977 live at "New Exhibition Centre", Bristol - (Steam)
Art Themen (sopranino,sop,ts), Stan Tracey (p), Dave Green (b), Brian Spring (d).
Two unknown titles were recorded but remain unissued.

Stan Tracey Quartet - August 22nd, 1977 live at "100 Club" - (Steam)
Art Themen (sopranino,sop,ts), Stan Tracey (p), Dave Green (b), Brian Spring (d).
Bye Bye Blackbird (unissued)/Alfie's Theme (unissued)/What's New (unissued).Three unknown titles were recorded and remain unissued.

Jon Eardley / Art Themen - September 16th, 1977 (Stablemates - Spotlite SPJ11)
Jon Eardley (tp,fhrn), Art Themen (ts), Al Haig (p), Daryl Runswick (b), Allan Ganley (d).
Love Walked In/Embraceable You/Tangerine/Don't Blame Me/Speak Low/Round Midnight (AT out)/Now's The Time (unissued)/How Deep Is The Ocean (unissued)/I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good (unissued)/Half Nelson (unissued)/ I Love You (unissued).

Stan Tracey Octet - February 25th, 1978 live at "Royal Festival Hall" - (The Salisbury Suite - Steam SJ105)
Harry Beckett (tp,flhrn), Malcolm Griffiths (tb), Art Themen (sop,ts), Jeff Daly (as), Don Weller (ts), Stan Tracey (p), Dave Green (b), Brian Spring (d).
Peg Leg Bates*/Ballad for St.Ed*/Miff*.
(*ReSteamed CD - Early works)

Al Haig / Jamil Nasser - October 14th, 1978 (Expressly Ellington - Spotlite SJLP20)
Art Themen (ts), Al Haig (p), Jamil Nasser (b), Tony Mann (d).
Lush Life/I Let A Song Go Out Of My Life/Perdido/I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good/Sophisticated Lady/Just Squeeze Me/Body And Soul (AT out).

Stan Tracey Quartet - June 12th, 1980 - (South East Assignment - Steam SJ108)
Art Themen (sopranino,sop,ts), Stan Tracey (p), Roy Babbington (b), Clark Tracey (d).
Cackle Street/Honey Hill/Plucks Gutter/Golden Green/Arcadia.

Stan Tracey Sextet - July 29th, 1981 - (The Crompton Suite - Steam SJ109)
Art Themen (sop,ts), Tony Coe (ts,cl), Alan Wakeman (ts), Stan Tracey (p), Roy Babbington (b), Clark Tracey (d).
The Gift/Parson Folds/Sam Loves Mary Loves Sam/Mule Rule!

Spectrum - April 9th, 1982 (Tribute to Monk - Lansdowne Series Switch SWLP001
Kenny Wheeler (tp,flhrn), Peter King (as), Art Themen (as,ts), Bobby Wellins (ts), Stan Tracey (p), Roy Babbington (b), Clarke Tracey (d).
In Walked Bud/Pannonica/Misterioso/I Mean You/'Round Midnight/Little Rootie Tootie.

Stan Tracey - July 9th, 1983 - (Now - Steam SJ110)
Art Themen (ts), Stan Tracey (p), Roy Babbington (b), Clark Tracey (d).
Tempo De Trout.
Art Themen, Don Weller, Tony Coe (ts), Stan Tracey (p), Roy Babbington (b), Clark Tracey (d).
Mr. Stud.
Harry Beckett (tp), Malcolm Griffiths (tb), Peter King (as), Art Themen (sop,ts), Don Weller (ts), Stan Tracey (p), Roy Babbington (b), Clark Tracey (d).
Spectrum No. 2.

Stan Tracey Quartet - June 2nd, 1984 - (The Poet's Suite - Steam SJ111)
Art Themen (sop,ts), Stan Tracey (p), Roy Babbington (b), Clark Tracey (d).
The Party/Didn't He Ramble/Song For Straphangers/Strange Fruit/Duffy's Circus.

Stan Tracey Sextet - November 26th, 1985 live at Ronnie Scott's- (Steam)
Guy Barker (tp), Jamie Talbot (as), Art Themen (sopranino,sop,ts), Stan Tracey (p), Roy Babbington (b), Clark Tracey (d).
Arcades/A Funky Day In Tiger Bay/Lament For The Black Tower/Metro Allegretto/Scoop Event/Festival Excursion/Spaces (all titles remain unissued).

Stan Tracey Sextet - November 30th, 1985 - (Live at Ronnie Scott's - Steam SJ113)
Guy Barker (tp), Jamie Talbot (as), Art Themen (sopranino,sop,ts), Stan Tracey (p), Roy Babbington (b), Clark Tracey (d).
Arcades/The Cardiff Chapter/A Funky Day In Tiger Bay/Metro Allegretto/Scoop Event/Spaces.

Stan Tracey Big Band - January 5th and 6th, 1987 - (Genesis - Steam SJ114)
John Barclay, Steve Sidwell, Henry Lowther, Guy Barker (tp), Chris Pyne, Malcolm Griffiths (or Pete Smith#), Geoff Perkins (tb), Peter King, Jamie Talbot (as), Art Themen (ts), Tony Coe (ts,cl), Phil Todd (bs), Stan Tracey (p), Roy Babbington (b), Clark Tracey (d).
The Beginning*/The Light*/The Firmament (p,b,d only)*/The Gathering*/The Sun Moon And Stars*/Feather, Fin And Limb*#/The Sixth Day*#.
(*Trio Records CD - Genesis) The titles above form part of this CD.

In 1988 Stan Tracey recorded two sessions that have never been issued. This was the first...
Stan Tracey Big Band - January 25th to 30th, 1988 - (Live at Ronnie Scott's - Mole - unissued)
John Barclay, Steve Sidwell, Henry Lowther, Guy Barker (tp), Chris Pyne, Malcolm Griffiths, Geoff Perkins (tb), Peter King, Jamie Talbot (as), Art Themen (sop,ts), Alan Skidmore (ts), Phil Todd (bs), Stan Tracey (p), Roy Babbington (b), Clark Tracey (d).
I'm Beginning To See The Light/Creole Love Call/Festival Junction/In A Sentimental Mood/Stomp, Look And Listen/Blue Feeling/I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart/Passion Flower/Just Squeeze Me/Mood Indigo/Lay-by. (All titles unissued).

Stan Tracey Quartet - October 26th, 1988 - recorded live at the Darlington Arts Centre (ACD - unissued)
Art Themen (sop,ts), Stan Tracey (p), Ron Babbington (b), Clark Tracey (d).
Four Way Stretch/Let's Cool One/Angel Eyes/Think Of One/Playin' In The Yard/Nutty/Fatima De Milo/Darn That Dream/N.O.blues/Rhythm-a-ning. (All titles unissued).

Stan Tracey and his Orchestra - December 6th, 1988 - (We Still Love You Madly - Mole 13)
Henry Lowther, John Barclay, Steve Sidwell, Guy Barker (tp), Malcolm Griffiths, Chris Pyne, Geoff Perkins (tb), Peter King (as), Jamie Talbot (as,cl), Art Themen, Alan Skidmore (sop,ts), Phil Todd (bs), Stan Tracey (p), Roy Babbington (b), Clark Tracey (d).
I'm Beginning To See The Light*/Creole Love Call*/Festival Junction*/In A Sentimental Mood*/Stomp, Look And Listen*/Blue Feeling*/I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart*/Passion Flower*/Just Squeeze Me*/Mood Indigo*/Lay-by*.
(*TAA CD - We still love you madly) The titles above form part of this CD.

Stan Tracey Big Band - August 9th, 1989 - (Genesis and more - Steam SJ114)
John Barclay, Alan Downey, Henry Lowther, Guy Barker (tp), Malcolm Griffiths, Pete Beachill, Geoff Perkins (tb), Peter King, Jamie Talbot (as), Art Themen, Alan Skidmore (ts), Dave Bishop (bs), Stan Tracey (p), Roy Babbington (b), Clark Tracey (d).
Afro-Charlie*/Murdering The Time*/Feather, Fin And Limb*/Paradise Club*.
(*Trio Records CD - Genesis) The titles above form part of this CD.

The session below was recorded in London for Blue Note. Some titles were issued in Europe on a compilation CD, others appear to have been issued on cassette. All titles may have been issued in the UK on a Blue Note LP...
Stan Tracey Octet - March 30th, 1992 - (Portraits plus - Blue Note BLT1006)
Guy Barker (tp), Malcolm Griffiths (tb), Peter King (as), Art Themen (sop,ts), Don Weller (ts), Stan Tracey (p), Dave Green (b), Clark Tracey (d).
Mainframe/Newk's Fluke/Rocky Mount/One For Gil/Clinkscales/Spectrum No.2 (2 takes one inissued).

The session below was recorded live in London at the Queen Elizabeth Hall by Blue Note. A number of titles recorded were not included on the LP or presumably the CD...
Stan Tracey + others - November 30th, 1993 - (Live at the QEH - Blue Note BLT1010)
Art Themen (ts), Stan Tracey (p), Dave Green (b), Clark Tracey (d).
I Mean You (unissued)/Triple Celebration.
Gerald Presencer (tp), Stan Tracey (p).
Pannonica (unissued)/Some Other Blues/Easy Living.
Guy Barker (tp), Malcolm Griffiths (tb), Peter King (as), Art Themen, Don Weller (ts), Stan Tracey (p), Dave Green (b), Clark Tracey (d).
Mainframe (unissued)/The Cuban Connection/Clinkscales (unissued).
Guy Barker (tp), Jamie Talbot (as), Art Themen (ts), Stan Tracey (p), Dave Green (b), Clark Tracey (d).
Devil's Acre/Mary Rose.
Stan Tracey (p).
Sophisticated Lady.
Derek Watkins, Tony Fisher, Henry Lowther, Guy Barker (tp), Pete Beachill, Malcolm Griffiths, Geoff Perkins (tb), Peter King, Jamie Talbot (as), Art Themen (ts), Alan Skidmore (sop,ts), Dave Bishop (bs), Stan Tracey (p), Roy Babbington (b), Clark Tracey (d).
Feather, Fin And Limb (unissued)/The Sun, Moon And Stars (unissued)/Come Sunday (PK + rhythm)/The Sixth Day.

John Critchinson / Art Themen Quintet - 1996 (First moves - Jazz House 52)
Art Themen (ts), John Critchinson (p), others not known.
First Moves/Cedars Blues/Soul Eyes/African Marketplace/How Insensitive/Blues For Sue/Takin' Time/I'll Close My Eyes/For All We Know/Firm Roots.

Don Weller Big Band - October 7th, 8th, 1996, Live at the "Bull's Head", London (Live - 33Records 33JAZZ032)
Gerard Presencer, Henry Lowther, Steve Waterman, Patrick White (tp), Mark Nightingale, Malcolm Griffiths, Pete Beachill, Andy Fawbert (tb), Peter King, Nigel Hitchcock (as), Don Weller, Art Themen, Mornington Lockett (ts), Alan Barnes (bs), David Newton (p), Andrew Cleyndert (b), Bryan Spring (d).
Four By Three*/Fruit*/Susa*/Bongate Song*/Haytiming*/Glowsy Roe/High Force* .
(*33JAZZ CD - Live at the Bull's Head, Barnes)

A live recording from Fleece Jazz in May 2014. Art Themen is added to Spike's regular trio...
Spike Heatley Trio with Art Themen - May, 2014 (Live at Fleece Jazz - May 2014 - Renella Records CD)
Art Themen (ts,ss), Andy Williams (g), Spike Heatley (b), Malcolm Mortimer (d).
Royal Blue/Surrey With The Fringe On Top/Spritely Latin/Waiting For David/Just Another Day/Cielito Lindo/Ranjana/Pale Shadows/Pulling Strings/Tears For Miss Kenny/Knock Down Ginger/St. Vincent/Cool Winds.
(Renella CD - the Spike Heatley trio with Art Themen - Live at Fleece Jazz May 2014)

Art Themen's New Directions - October 20th, 2016 (The Tour Continues...ARTCD21)
Art Themen (ts,ss), Steve Fishwick (tp), Gareth Williams (p), Arnie Somogyi (b), Winston Clifford (d).
For Regulars Only/Dizzy Moves/Midnight Voyage/Played Twice/Joe's Blow/Four In One/Autumn In New York/Nutville.
(ART CD - Art Themen's New Directions - The Tour Continues)

Thane & The Villeins - August 13th, 2019 (Thane & The Villeins...Hadleigh Jazz Records)
Art Themen (ts), Pete Whittaker (org), George Double (d).
Recado Bossa Nova/Hanky Panky/First Moves/And What If I Don't/Playin' In The Yard/I'm An Old Cowhand/Sack O'Woe/Forest Flower/Willow Weep For Me/Sweet Emma.
(Hadleigh Jazz Records CD - Thane & The Villeins )

Art Themen with George Double and Pete Whitaker - October 1st, 2021 (Dizzy Moods - Hadleigh Jazz Records HJR0002)
Art Themen (ts), Pete Whittaker (org), George Double (d).
Mad About The Boy/Hold 'Em Joe/Brahms... I Think/Chilli Peppers/Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most/My Mans Gone Now/Captain Bacardi/Laying Eggs/Water From An Ancient Well/Dizzy Moods/Ask Me Now.
(Hadleigh Jazz Records CD - Dizzy Moods)


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