It is one of the glories of jazz that a trio (at least one of this calibre) can perform with such expressive range. It’s not just a matter of wide-ranging material, or the particulars of instrumentation or styles that cover the span of jazz history from Ben Webster to funk, It was the quality of the musicianship and the close working relationships between the players that carried the night. It was a delight from start to finish. Art Themen’s command of the tenor sax is a crafted tone, plenty of power, no bravura blasts, no empty histrionics.  Art has a quietly engaging, unassuming stage manner, but the evident chemistry between him, Pete and George seemed to find extra-musical expression, too.

Line Up: Art Themen – sax, Pete Whittaker  -organ & George Double – drums