London Jazz Festival Vocal Jazz Summit - Spice of Life.

Trudy Kerr/Nia Lynn/Anjali Perrin (vcl); Gareth Lochrane (flutes; Dave Whitford (bs); Barry Green (pno); Jim Hart (dms).

This was quite a night with a big queue to get into my favourite London jazz venue. Understandably so as, apart from the singers look at the guys in the band! Do you know a better flautist than Gareth? Barry Green, Dave and Jim Hart also cut the mustard - they should be employed by Colmans!

But tonight was singers' night and what singers!

Anj kicked off with A Weaver of Dreams and the others knew it was game on. You Must Believe in Spring, Yesterdays and On a Clear Day put down the bench mark. This diminutive chick sings good, scats without going over the top and, maybe it's because I'm reading a book about the lady, reminded me of Carmen McRae.

Next up Nia Lynn. Nia has a more contemporary sound and it was no surprise that her big hitter was Tom Waits' Soldier's Things - this one raised the bar a notch higher.

Enter Trudy Kerr.

Born to be Blue, Don't Get Around Much Anymore (dedicated to Michael Garrick), Waltz For Debby, Gladly, Madly, in Love and a wild Rhythm of Life possibly gave the nod but it was close and when the other two joined her for But Not For Me it ended honours even.

A tremendous night.
Photos. (More to follow from Anthony?)

Lance.