Ben Creighton Griffiths Jazz Harp, James Ho Bass, Kallan Francis Guitar, Wheatsheaf Hotel Thebarton South Australia August 27th 2025

BEN CREIGHTON GRIFFITHS is an Internationally touring jazz and classical harpist based in Wales. 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.

Originally classically trained he now specialises in jazz both as a soloist and with his bands – the Transatlantic Hot Club and Chube. His career has taken him across the world including to America, Canada, the Caribbean, Hong Kong, India, Brazil, and across Europe and has seen him collaborate with musicians such as Catrin Finch, Dennis Rollins MBE, and Tatiana Eva-Marie. As well as a performer he is a composer, most recently developing a concert schedule for his own Concerto for Jazz Harp & Symphony Orchestra. He has taught workshops in jazz across the world and has been a guest tutor in the harp and trad music departments at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. 

Upcoming appearances at the time of writing include a UK spring tour with the Transatlantic Hot Club, the Welsh premiere of his Concerto with the Cardiff Philharmonic at the BBC Hoddinott Hall, and his first performing trip to Australia in the summer.

JAMES HO is an award winning double and electric bass player from Adelaide, South Australia. He is an active member in the Adelaide jazz, rock and creative music scenes.

James has played with numerous internationally and nationally renowned musicians, as well as having recently travelled around Australia with the Australian National Youth Jazz Orchestra. Some of these artists include: Jazzmeia Horn (NY), James Muller, Victor Gould (NY), Gordon Goodwin (LA), Wayne Bergeron (LA) and Mark Simeon Ferguson.

James has also received tutelage under: Russell Hall (NY), Jorge Roeder (NY), Anna Butterss (LA), Eric Revis (CA) and Dr. Lyndon Gray.

KALLAN FRANCIS is a guitarist based in Adelaide, Australia. Currently studying at the Elder Conservatorium of Music, Kallan has flourished as one of South Australia’s most in demand and exciting young musicians.

As well as performing at some of South Australia’s Largest venues, such as the Festival Theatre, Adelaide Town Hall and Adelaide Entertainment Centre, he has also taken his music overseas, performing across Los Angeles, New York and Tokyo.

The recipient of the prestigious James Morrison Scholarship in 2024, Kallan has worked professionally with incredible Australian musicians such as Jazzmeia Horn, Wayne Bergeron, James Morrison, Gordon Goodwin, Victor Gould, James Muller, Matthew Sheens, Thomas Voss, Lyndon Gray, Mark Ferguson, Ben Robertson, Darryn Farrugia and Lauren Henderson. 

Since coming onto the Adelaide Jazz Scene, Kallan has been involved in a number of musical performances and creative projects such as being selected to the Australian National Jazz Orchestra Youth Big band in 2025 and being a featured performer with the Adelaide Guitar Festival and Perth International Jazz Festival in 2024.

Described by Andrea Keller as musician with ‘a very deep understanding of what it means to be an improvisor’ and ‘a distinctive, original musical voice’, Kallan looks to be one of the leading young Australian guitarists for years to come. 

This concert is sponsored by 

CARTER HARPS AUSTRALIA: www.carterharpsaustralia.com.au

More information about Ben Creighton Griffiths is available at: www.bjcg.co.uk