Celebrated saxophonist Lucien Johnson has poetry in the blood. He is the son of late poet Louis Johnson and first met his father’s friend and fellow poet Peter Bland as a child. The two men became well-known in the 1950s and 60s as part of the so-called ‘Wellington Group’ of poets.
For the upcoming Classical on Cuba festival, Johnson has set three love poems by Bland to music for The New Cuba Street Suite, which will be premiering at City Gallery Wellington on 23 July.
Recently nominated for New Zealand Jazz Artist of the Year, Johnson’s latest album is Wax/Wane, released last year.
Photo: Ben McNicholl
