About this Event
Nicknamed “the Gypsy-jazz Warbler” by the New York Times and acclaimed as a “millennial shaking up the jazz scene” by magazine Vanity Fair, Tatiana Eva-Marie is a transatlantic bandleader, singer, and actress based in Brooklyn. Though best known for her work leading the Avalon Jazz Band – a band with a “vintage” flair that has gathered over 70 million views on YouTube – her interests have led her to explore a wide range of musical styles, from 1930s pop to modern jazz. Tatiana Eva-Marie’s singing is always inspired by her own French and Balkan heritage; a love for the Parisian art scene era spanning the 1920s to the 60s; a passion for Gypsy music; a fascination for New Orleans music; and a deep connection to the Great American Songbook. Through the lens of this musical kaleidoscope, she explores the music of Django Reinhardt, Sidney Bechet, Cole Porter, and other composers who were at the origins of French jazz, while adding her own original lyrics and arrangements to the mix.
In the past two years, Tatiana Eva-Marie has been expanding her touring across the United States and Europe, and building a devoted online following among jazz fans and music lovers worldwide. In 2024, Tatiana Eva-Marie will be premiering her first opera as a librettist in Switzerland in April and releasing her new album “Djangology” on GroundUp Music in June.
For her first performance in Wales in eight years Tatiana will be joined by Ben Creighton Griffiths on harp, Ashley John Long on bass, and Don Sweeney on guitar for a mesmerising night of the finest live jazz.
Tickets for this event are available on Eventbrite for £20 plus booking fees. Spare tickets will be on the door for £25. Doors will open to the public at 18:30 and the music will begin at 19:00. There will be a bar with alcoholic and soft refreshments before the concert and during the interval.
Ben Creighton Griffiths is a touring Jazz and Classical musician based in South Wales, UK. He made his International debut at the 2004 1er Concours International de Harpe in Nantes, France where, aged 7, he came second in the Under 18 division. In 2006 he won the Under 13 Division of the Wales International Harp Festival before going on to win the 2008 Junior Lily Laskine competition in Paris, winning a concert harp in the process. Other competitions include runner up in the 2009 Texaco Young Musician of Wales, second place in the Elias Parish Alvars Competition 2008, and multiple 1st prizes throughout age categories at the Urdd Eisteddfod of Wales.
International engagements include the Rio De Janeiro Harp Festival (2010, 2011, 2012), International Harp Festival of Sentmenat, Spain (2010, 2016), International Jazz Harp Academy, Netherlands (2010, 2013, 2016), 2nd International Harp Festival of Szeged, Hungary (2010), Arpa Plus Salamanca, Spain (2013), 1st Zagreb International Harp Festival, Croatia (2013), Journees De La Harpe en Caribbean, Guyana, Guadeloupe & Martinique (2013, 2016, 2022), 1st International Prague Harp Festival, Czech Republic (2014), Dutch Harp Festival, Netherlands (2016), New Orleans Jazz and Pop Harp Weekend, USA (2017), ABRSM Summer Harp Academy, Louisville USA (2017), Camac Musikene, Spain (2018), Camac Tour, Netherlands (2018), Achill International Harp Festival (Ireland 2019), Godollo International Harp Festival, Hungary (2018), and Confluence New Delhi by HCL (India 2020). Abroad he has performed in venues such as the Salle Gaveau (Paris), The Prague Conservatory, TivoliVredenburg (Utrecht), the Camac Space (Paris), Conservatoire Zino Franscescatti (La Ciotat), Godollo Palace (Budapest), Bernard Haitinkzaal Hall (Conservatorium van Amsterdam), and the Hong Kong Jockey Club Amphitheatre (HK Academy for Performing Arts).
Benjamin has also performed at four World Harp Congress’ - Amsterdam (2008) with a performance alongside Russian harpists Andres and Artemy Izmaylov, Vancouver (2011) with a complete solo recital and participation in the memorial concert for Ceren Necipoglu, and Hong Kong (2017) with a complete solo jazz recital, solo performances in a presentation by Vanderbilt Music, and a duet with Catrin Finch during the handover ceremony. In Cardiff (2022) he performed with Adrien Chevalier and Don Sweeney as the Transatlantic Hot Club, performed in A Tribute to Ann Griffiths, and gave a recital on the Camac Exhibition stand on their new Jubile model.
Closer to home Ben has performed as a soloist at UK Based International and local festivals including the European Harp Symposium, Edinburgh International Harp Festival, Wales International Harp Festival, Summer Harp Festival, The Monmouth Festival, The East Anglia Harp Festival, The Trinity Harp Festival, The Ludlow Festival, Vale Jazz Festival, Cambridge Jazz Festival, Glasbury Arts Summer School, Harp on Wight, The Urdd Eisteddfod, The National Eisteddfod, Cardiff Camac Harp Weekend, Wall2Wall Jazz Festival, Aberjazz, Django in the Bay, Llandudno Jazz Festival, Speakeasy Jazz, and the Brecon Jazz Festival. In the UK he has performed as a soloist in venues such as the Wales Millennium Centre, Brangwyn Hall, The Anvil, RWCMD, Galeri Caernarfon, Draper's Hall, St David's Hall, Wiltshire Music Centre, and the Wales Millennium Stadium.
Benjamin has worked with many charities over his career. He is an Official Ambassador for City Hospice (formerly George Thomas Hospice Care), The British Heart Foundation Cymru, and St. John Cymru Wales. On 1st March 2010 he performed at Clarence House for HRH the Prince of Wales at a reception for George Thomas Hospice Care.
In the corporate market Ben has performed at numerous events, dinners, receptions, and presentations for companies and organisations across the world including HCL India, Cardiff Council, The Senedd (Welsh Parliament), Welsh Water, The Anglo/French Medical Society, The Catholic Bishop's Conference, The Wales and Chester Circuit, The Draper's Company London, Marston's Brewery Executive Board, and many more. He also has a weekly residency at the Maison de Boeuf French Restaurant in Cardiff.
As an Orchestral Musician Ben is the Principal Harp of Orchestra De Cymru and the former Orchestra West. He has performed with The Welsh Sinfonia, Llandenny Strings, Cardiff Philharmonic, Chandos Symphony Orchestra, Taunton Sinfonietta, Hereford Sinfonia, Trowbridge Symphony Orchestra, Ensemble Cymru, St Woolos Sinfonia, Frome Symphony Orchestra, Wessex Concert Orchestra, Swindon Symphony Orchestra, Les Alizés, the Orchestra of Le Garde Républicaine, and more. He has also performed with numerous choirs as both a soloist and accompanist.
Ben has worked extensively for TV during his career. As well as many broadcast competitions such as the Urdd Eisteddfod (S4C), and Texaco Young Musicians of the Year (ITV) he has been involved in shooting numerous projects for broadcast on children’s TV such as Bobinogs (Cbeebies) and Take a Bow (CBBC). In 2011 he taught Welsh Rugby legend Gareth Thomas to play the harp for ITV 1s Born to Shine programme. More recent appearances include the Gig Y Pafiliwn (2021 – S4C), Backstage (2023 – ITV Wales), and Katherine Jenkins ‘Home for Christmas’ (2023 – BBC1 Wales).
Whilst continuing his classical work, Ben is now in increasing demand for his jazz performances, working as both a soloist and with bands, singers, and other artists. His jazz repertoire covers all genres, including Swing, Latin, Funk, Electronic and Fusion, Gypsy, and more. He works as both an acoustic artist and also makes extensive use of electronics. He has also been teaching a series of very successful 'Introduction to Improvisation' workshops as both one off events and at Harp Festivals worldwide, aiming to encourage harpists of all ages and abilities into the world of jazz.
Benjamin has released several jazz CD's including his 'Incomplete A-Z of Jazz Harp', 'Pedals & Paws', and '1 Man Band'. His latest solo recording ‘La Vie an Rose’ (released September 2021) is an exploration into Gypsy Jazz, Swing, and French Chanson. Ben has also published numerous sheet music arrangements and original compositions, both classical and jazz, including his popular 'Jazz Harp Series'. His largest work - Concerto for Jazz Harp and Symphony Orchestra - premiered on March 19th 2023 with the Chando Symphony Orchestra in Malvern and is to be published by Adlais Music Publishers soon. It was performed again in November 2023 with the Swindon Symphony Orchestra and with the Trowbridge Symphony Orchestra in March 2024 at the Wiltshire Music Centre.
Ben is a founding member of the bands Chube and the Transatlantic Hot Club.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Insole Court, Fairwater Road, Cardiff, United Kingdom
GBP 20.00
