Busker promises a peaceful night out

JOHNTY Wilkes may not yet be a familiar name, but the soothing effect of his mellow saxophone will be known to many busy passers-by from when he has busked in Reading town centre.

His

A Journey Into Deep, Deep Peace will be presented at the town’s South Street Arts Centre tomorrow night (Saturday).

Johnty began his musical journey playing the recorder as a child. When a friend challenged him to “make a sound” on a saxophone, he discovered an instant facility for the instrument and a deeply personal voice for the expression of his unique musical vision.

He has travelled extensively both as a musician, playing in Brazil and the Balearic Islands, and as a bio-medicinal research scientist, bringing the rich diversity of those experiences, together with the transforming powers of meditation and Buddhist spirituality to his free-flowing solo improvisations — the creative thread of which weaves its way through a tapestry of atmospheric electronic sounds.



Johnty’s jazz noir playing has been likened to that of Jan Garbarek and the late Paul Desmond — pure sound that captures the heart, the mind and the spirit.

He will be accompanied by K Darling on U Bass, with Grace Grey playing a support slot.

A Journey Into Deep, Deep Peace promises to be an evening of atmospheric and sublime music, enhanced by visual projections guaranteed to dispel the winter blues.

To listen to a preview of the piece on SoundCloud, visit https://soundcloud.com/ johnty-wilks/sensuality-and-deep-deep-peace

Doors open at 8pm. Tickets are £11.20 in advance or £14 on the door. To book, call 0118 960 6060 or visit www.readingarts.com

Review: Trevor Bannister