Frantasmagoria is a jazz quartet featuring tenor sax, drums, electric bass and electric guitar, based in Machynlleth, Wales, UK. Frantisek Sic founded the band which came together as a quartet in 2022 with Franta on sax, Steve Howlett on guitar, Henry Crun on drums and the amzingly talented, Katie West on double bass. Katie’s solo career took her away from us but we had two great bass players depping for us in David Spivack and Aled Williams. In 2024, we found Barry Wise, who quite fancied the gig, and that’s Frantasmagoria.
The music is inspired by great jazz composers including Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, Charles Mingus, Nat Adderley and Eddie Harris, but the first and biggest influence is the music of Thelonious Monk. We believe Monk created some of the coolest music ever. Simple, deep and so funky.
Private function
Bank Vault, 1 New Street, Aberystwyth
The Big Tribute Festival, Aberystwyth
Bank Vault, 1 New Street, Aberystwyth
The Magic Lantern, Tywyn
The Old Pizzaria, Wynnstay Hotel, Machynlleth
Bank Vault, 1 New Street, Aberystwyth (April, June, August)
Bank Vault, 1 New Street, Aberystwyth
Bank Vault, 1 New Street, AberystwythThe Old Pizzaria, Wynnstay Hotel, Machynlleth
Bank Vault, 1 New Street, Aberystwyth (Feb, June)
The Old Pizzaria, Wynnstay Hotel, Machynlleth
October 23rd - Bank Vault, 1 New Street, Aberystwyth, SY23 2AT
October 25th - The Victorian Slipway, Tywyn,
November 20th - The White Horse, Aberystwyth
January 15th - Magic Lantern Cinema, Tywyn,
Our new album, MONKERY, is now available. Recorded, mixed and mastered by Mike West at Our Lady Studio, Borth in May 2022.
Special thanks to Finn at Dyfi Fire for rehearsal space at his stove showroom in Machynlleth. Barmouth Music/Cerdd Y Burmo for support, inspiration and creating space for musical development.
