Theo Travis guests at Jazz Hastings

Jazz Hastings’ guest at its June gig will be the versatile sax and flute player Theo Travis. Julian Norridge is savouring the occasion.

 Theo Travis, who will be appearing on Tuesday 5 June with his band Double Talk at Jazz Hastings’ monthly session, has an international reputation as one of the foremost saxophonists and flautists on the contemporary British jazz scene.

This will be an evening of powerful, bluesy progressive jazz, with smoking Hammond organ, explosive guitar solos, emotional tenor sax and flute, all driven by powerhouse drumming.

Theo Travis has appeared on over 120 albums and played at Ronnie Scott’s in London over 70 times. He has worked among many others with David Gilmour, Soft Machine, Robert Fripp, Anja Garbarek, Steven Wilson, John Etheridge and Keith Tippett.

His many musical interests come together in this distinctive quartet project. With Travis on tenor and soprano saxes and flute, the band includes the soulful Hammond organ of Pete Whittaker, the soaring guitar of Mike Outram and the powerful but subtle drums and percussion of Nic France.

Reviewing their most recent album Transgressions, the BBC website said: “Travis’ tenor is a warm, mellifluous instrument and together with the luscious, bluesy Hammond organ they create something unexpected… a prog-rock/jazz/blues hybrid album of genuine power and excitement.”

“This is a great album and an important one,” according to Music News. “It comes at a time when less and less music of real worth is hitting the mainstream and it delivers music on many, many levels, so that the ride through the album leaves the listener breathless but satisfied. I so want to see this live.”

Theo Travis and Double Talk Jazz Hastings, Tuesday 5 June, East Hastings Sea Angling Association (on the Stade behind the lifeboat station). Doors open 7.45pm for an 8.30 start, tickets £10 on the door.

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