ZAREKtrio - Rebecca Harris (violin), Jan Zahourek (viola da gamba), and Oliver John Ruthven (harpsichord) - presents their latest project, Bs&Bees. This programme showcases works by Bach and Buxtehude, two composers who share more than a surname with the initial letter "B".

Jan explains the concept: "Bs evokes 'bees', and we love the intriguing parallels between the two. Both music and bees involve intricate structures - be it contrapuntal compositions or honeycomb geometries. They also share elements of vibrational communication and cross-pollination, whether in nature or in the realm of artistic style and creativity."

In Jan’s opinion, the pieces in Bs&Bees are quite abstract and can be challenging for the audience. Having a metaphysical link and a few mental images, in this case of bees, can help navigate the trio sonatas and suites in this programme. The group introduced audiences to Bs&Bees in some new grassroots venues, including the Rocketvan cafe in Lambeth and the London Beer Lab in Brixton, as well as at established venues including the Handel Hendrix House and the Kino-Teatr in Hastings.

Speaking about the trio's chemistry, Jan says that Rebecca's influence on the way they play has been profound and "her own influences are really interesting. Over the years she has played in a lot of different genres," (this fits well with Jan who himself started as a jazz bassist), "and she's a composer and artist too." Rebecca established her career in the United States after graduating from the Royal Northern College of Music. Her love for both early and new music led to work with some of America’s most pioneering ensembles, with highlights including a GRAMMY award-winning recording with new music choir The Crossing and an extensive performing and recording relationship with leading period instrument ensemble Tempesta di Mare. She moved to London in 2022.

Jan has known ZAREKtrio's harpsichordist Oliver John Ruthven for fifteen years, describing him as "an accomplished arranger and conductor, as well as a fantastic continuo player and chamber musician." Since 2010 much of his work has been with the English Bach Soloists and Monteverdi Choir, contributing not only as a keyboard player but as conductor and tenor too, at home in the choir as a reflection of his days as a chorister at Westminster Abbey. He also spent nine years as Music Director of Hampstead Garden Opera. Jan says "OJ is the backbone of so much of what happens when we play. I was so excited that he wanted to be a part of ZAREKtrio."

Describing his path, Jan says "outside the trio I have had a long career as a double-bass player. I moved to the UK in 2005 after five years living in Padua, but originally I came from the USA: Denver Colorado, New York City and Amherst, Massachussetts." In the quarter of a century that Jan has lived in Europe, he has played in many orchestras, both symphony and chamber. He is the bass player for Solomon's Knot. He works often with La Serenissima, the St. Martin-in-the-Fields Chamber Ensemble, and in France, with Le Cercle de l'Harmonie.

ZAREK was the stage name of Jan’s great uncle Emil Anton Zahourek. His story had always captured Jan’s imagination: he was a Hollywood dancer, an artist, an able social animal and a Czech-speaking US citizen devoted to his family despite their disapproval of the way he lived his life after leaving the wild west of his childhood Oklahoma. ZAREKtrio has been, for Jan, a wonderful space where he can play viola da gamba, explore and enjoy creativity, interpretation and music making with his colleagues Rebecca and Oliver John.

ZAREKtrio will be pollinating the Stroud Arts Festival in Gloucestershire with this programme on 26 October. Keep an eye out for future dates and a new programme of English music, MUDlark!, coming soon.

The "Bs&Bees" tour is supported by a grant from Continuo Foundation. You can read more about Jan Zahourek on his Spotlight interview.