An inspirational mix of words and music at Chichester’s Novium Museum will put the focus on one of Sussex’s most distinguished artistic figures, William Blake, who lived in Felpham for three years.

Taking part in a Festival of Chichester event on Thursday, July 9 at 7pm will be the Full Circle Jazz Quartet, the jazz/roots ensemble Poetry in Motion and Sussex poets Mandy Pannett and Barry Smith.

Under the banner of Full Circle: Blake, the Beats and the Downs, the event will put the spotlight on visionary creativity.

Barry Smith, director of the South Downs Poetry Festival, said: “William Blake lived in the Sussex seaside village of Felpham near Bognor Regis from 1800-1803, where he saw visions of angels, was inspired to write the words of Jerusalem and was later acquitted at his trial for sedition in Chichester.

placeholder image — Charlotte Glasson (contributed pic)

“Blake has inspired many thinkers and artists over the years, including the American Beat poets. Allen Ginsburg, one of the foremost twentieth century radical writers, made a special pilgrimage to Felpham to pay homage to his literary hero.”

The panel of guests for the evening include the Full Circle Quartet comprising bandleader and bassist Terry Pack, award-winning saxophonist Josephine Davies, TV composer Joss Peach and drummer Angus Bishop.

“The South Downs Suite is the vision of four musicians inspired by living and working in and around the South Downs, the newest of all the national parks. It is unique for its chalk hills, chalk stream rivers and where the park touches the coast, its white cliffs such as those found at Seven Sisters and Beachy Head.

“The presentation involves Sussex poet Mandy Pannett reading her poems inspired by Sussex landmarks such as Cissbury Ring and The Long Man, interspersed with the jazzy sounds the Quartet have created. Part of the package are the original landscape paintings created by local artist Polly Dutton.”

Linking the Downland and the Blake themes together are the words of Blake’s most famous poem, Jerusalem, written while in Felpham, describing ‘England’s green and pleasant land.’

Poetry in Motion, the jazz/roots/words ensemble featuring guitarist Chris Hardy, saxophonist Charlotte Glasson and wordsmith, Barry Smith, will perform a mix of Blake’s poems including The Lamb and The Tyger, alongside the coruscating verse of the American Beats, with pieces by Ferlinghetti, Corso and the great master himself, Allen Ginsberg.

Barry added: “We are fortunate to have some of the UK’s finest jazz players on show, with a pair of brilliant saxophonists who have won awards and performed with great musicians like Sir Paul McCartney. Full Circle’s music is regularly broadcast by the BBC. Chris Hardy performs with Little Machine, described by Carol Ann Duffy as the best poetry and music band in the country. It should be a spectacular evening!”

Full Circle: Blake, the Beats and the Downs, July, 9, 7pm, Novium, Tower Street, Chichester, PO19 1QH. Tickets: https://festivalofchichester.co.uk/event/event-m40-full-circle-blake-the-beats-and-the-downs/