Enjoyed Joe's Valentine weekend at Ronnie Scott's, with a trio and white-soul singer Natalie Williams. Joe deserves a wider audience, but his quick-witted humour (an integral part of his performance) may well unfortunately lighten the seriousness with which he is taken in some quarters. As an entertainer he's spot-on.
Joe included a lovely, melancholic tribute to British jazz stalwart, altoist Johnny Dankworth, who passed away last week.
The delightfully under-hyped Ronnie Scott's AllStars (yes, for it is they!) supported with a few good straight-up jazzy tunes and more humour, much in the vein of the long-gone Ronnie himself. Surprisingly good food, as well.
Founded in 1959, the jazz club is clearly thriving - it's been a long time since I saw Oscar Peterson, Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Pass and George Melly there in the 1970s.
