Thursday 25 April 2013 Photo courtesy Trio Records News of a Leeds date for top saxophonist Art Themen is music to the ears of local jazz fans, as well as for two local causes which are set to benefit from a special concert. Martin House Children’s Hospice, Boston Spa, and St Chad’s Church, Far Headingley, will share the proceeds from the gig, produced in collaboration with The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL), when Art teams up with local musicians including the school’s own jazz ensemble. Art Themen has successfully combined his busy professional life as a consultant orthopaedic surgeon with a successful career in jazz. He began to play on the London scene whilst a student at St Mary’s Hospital Medical School in the 1960s, working with Dave Gelly, Alexis Korner and Graham Bond. He subsequently enjoyed long associations with Michael Garrick and Stan Tracey, collaborated with many US and British jazz luminaries and has toured worldwide. He led his own ensemble from 1996. On the day of the concert Art will spend the afternoon at GSAL, working with the jazz ensemble and other students who have an interest in jazz and improvisation. At the evening performance Art will perform with local jazz musicians including GSAL music teacher Adrian Knowles on bass, and will feature as guest saxophonist with the student jazz ensemble. Mr Knowles said: “It will be a great experience for the students to work with a distinguished musician who maintains a busy performance schedule at the highest level in British jazz. We are grateful to Art for sharing his time with us and helping us to raise money for our chosen charity Martin House, which the music department supports regularly through concerts and running events.” The concert takes place on Friday 3 May at 8.00pm at St Chad’s Church, Otley Road, Leeds LS16 5JT. Doors open at 7.30pm and there is a bar. Tickets can be purchased from St Chad’s Parish Centre, GSAL Music Department or on the door, priced at £10 for adults, £8 for concessions and free for children. General Senior School Sixth Form News
