Themen steamin' in Harper's bazaar would have been Letchworthy

[Serial_Apologist]

Sat 5 Jan
4pm Jazz Record Requests

http://www.alynshipton.co.uk/blog

5pm - J to Z
Celebrating the cream of jazz - past, present and future - today featuring a live concert by Texas-born jazz saxophonist Billy Harper.

This session has our brilliant Robert Mitchell on piano. Really looking forward to.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0001wlk

12midnight - Geoffrey Smith's Jazz
In 1940, local radio in Fargo, North Dakota, recorded the Duke Ellington band live, capturing a great ensemble at its spontaneous best. Geoffrey Smith compares ducal classics on the road and in the studio.

http://www,bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04n2zc7

Mon 7 Jan
11pm - Jazz Now
Soweto Kinch presents Art Themen in concert at the Herts Jazz Festival, which took place in Letchworth in October, with Gareth Williams (piano), Arnie Somogyi (bass) and Winstone Clifford (drums).

Musically the most charming of chancers, Art is now in his 80th year - his birthday coming up on November 26th. He's my favourite among those of his age group still active on the scene - and very much so, going by his gig at the Bull's Head just before Christmas. "He doesn't look brown any more" my companion said. "Maybe he's had a Michael Jackson conversion", I suggested.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0001xjn

Tuesday's Late Junction (11pm) includes a sextet featuring pianist Mal Waldron and saxophonist Eric Dolphy from 1961.

Thank heavens next week's Radio Times isn't as fat as the Christmas edition!

[BLUESNIK'S REVOX]

looks a really good line up all round to kick off "2019, the Year of Brexit". Aka, the launch of Chris Grayling's Cross Channel Pedalo Ferry Corp...

Not waving but drowning etc...
BN.

[Tenor Freak]

I knew someone who had to go and see Mr Themen when he was moonlighting as an orthopaedic surgeon down at the Royal Berks.

[Old Grumpy]

I knew someone who had to go and see Mr Themen when he was moonlighting as an orthopaedic surgeon down at the Royal Berks.

In a professional capacity, I presume. Not to sell him a saxophone!

[Serial_Apologist]

In a professional capacity, I presume. Not to sell him a saxophone!

This is a good J to Z so far, though I wish Le Gendre would announce ALL members of small-group recordings he introduces. John Donaldson's been a bit overrated for me in the past as far a originality's concerned - many of my friends disagree on that point - but his recording celebrating Tyner and Mseleku sounded amazing. But who was the tenor player? Stonking British band for Billy Harper. Blimey - they'll all be wanting to come over here now!

[Quarky]

Essentially a co-operative, the group, which comprises of Jason Yarde-alto sax, Greg Heath-tenor sax/flute, Graham Flowers-trumpet, John Donaldson-piano, Simon Thorpe-bass and Tristan Banks-drums.

[Serial_Apologist]

Essentially a co-operative, the group, which comprises of Jason Yarde-alto sax, Greg Heath-tenor sax/flute, Graham Flowers-trumpet, John Donaldson-piano, Simon Thorpe-bass and Tristan Banks-drums.

Oh thanks for that, Vespare. I'm just wondering if I've yet come across Messrs Heath, Flowers and Banks: there have been so many new names on the scene in recent times. This lot are all excellent. The same could be said about most of the guest musicians on this programme selling their favourite tracks, but Billy Harper really comes across as thoroughly likeable. It's always enjoyable to hear musicians talking about music that's influenced them.

[Tenor Freak]

Enjoyed J2Z just now, lovely to hear that session with Billy Harper.

[Serial_Apologist]

Enjoyed J2Z just now, lovely to hear that session with Billy Harper.

Wasn't it just?!

[antongould]

Wasn't it just?!

It was indeed ......

[elmo]

Billy definitely is the "real deal" - marvellous choice of records that had influenced him.

More Billy please

elmo

[Alyn_Shipton]

Gosh you lot really need to keep up regarding Hexagon. Just over a year ago on Jazz Now...https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09hvt8h
And earlier this year on JRR.