ONE of the world’s hottest jazz violinists is coming to the Waen, near St Asaph. The Billy Thompson Quartet, headed up by Billy Thompson, master of jazz violin and violin improvisation, is to play The Farmers Arms on Wednesday (March 19). A finalist in the UK’s Young Jazz Musician of the Year competitions in 1996 and 1998, Billy has played alongside Jools Holland at St David’s Hall, Cardiff For the past eight years he has been an integral member of seminal jazz and rock outfit Barbara Thompson’s Paraphernalia, with John Hiseman on drums. He has headlined twice at London’s Ronnie Scott’s and toured Europe extensively, featuring on five albums. Since 1997, Billy has performed regularly with Meic Stevens, and with his gipsy band the Amigos, with whom he has appeared at the world renowned gipsy jazz festival in Samois. As if this were not enough, Billy features on a brand new concept album by Manfred Mann due for release in the autumn, whilst his original Welsh project, Amledd, co- written with partner Rhian Williams, is currently being played on many radio stations. "Throughout college, I played with many different types of bands, mainly just trying to be the best I could be at improvising," said Billy. "Jazz was and is obviously the ultimate form of improvising and will always be part of my quest to master improvisation on the violin." Billy played both violin and mandolin and although tempted to give the band a go, the four-piece split up to go to separate universities. The Billy Thompson Quartet features the guitars of Andy MacKenzie and Trefor Owen, plus Dave Turner on double bass. The Farmers Arms concert begins at 8.30pm and admission is £6, concessions £5. Further information is available from the North Wales Jazz Society on 01745 812260 and at www.northwalesjazz.org.uk | 
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