SPAN Arts are planning to host a series of jazz events over the coming months with the aim of bringing top class national and international jazz artists to Pembrokeshire. The monthly series will move around the county so that everyone can have a chance to enjoy the most creative music at a venue nearby. The series is to be launched at the Queen's Hall Narberth on Thursday, July 14, with one of the world's finest guitarists and composers, Peter Oxley, and his group Curious Paradise. Peter Oxley is a maker of violin bows, a collector of guitars and has led a professional band for the last 20 years. He has visited Narberth once before with the New Noakes Quartet and now his current band Curious Paradise is touring UK and Europe to promote his latest compositions. The featured reeds player is Mark Lockheart, who is one of the busiest players in Britain. Mark also works in the Perfect Houseplants with Huw Warren, Dudley Phillips and Martin France, as well as this band. He also composes and plays with Hamburg's NDR Big Band and his own group 'Big Idea'. Curious Paradise effortlessly crosses the borders between jazz, world music and folk, and yet still has a distinct identity of its own. It boasts great compositions, excellent musicianship and a production you would normally expect from the likes of Pat Metheny or Joni Mitchell. If you like mellow jazz with a taste of adventure, you owe it to yourself to listen to this great group. Also on the bill next week will be 'Exploration', the free music and poetry group formed by local musicians, Gerry Gold and Jim Luxton, and featuring narration from actor Mike Clemant. The award-winning members of Exploration will interweave the poetry of Phyllis M. Jones, which evokes the countryside and coastline of West Wales, with the group's unique approach to musical improvisation. The music enhances the power of the words, creating strange, underground moods and surprising dimensions ranging from deeply mystical to humorous. Expect the unexpected. This is an alchemy of sound and word. Span will present a jazz event every month for the rest of this year and the next event in August will take place at The Waterfront, Haverfordwest, and will feature veteran saxman Stan Sulzman. September will feature Welsh trumpeter Ben Thomas at Fishguard Jazz Festival. Tickets and information is available from Span Arts on 01834 869323 or visit the website http://www.span">www.span- arts.org.uk
