A cracking evening at the Chandos Arms in Colindale, north London, courtesy of the regular Sunday Just East of Jazz club night, this week featuring the top class line-up of saxophonist Derek Nash, vocalist Noel McCalla, drummer Rick Finlay, bassist Phil Scragg and keyboard player Mike Gorman. With the focus on the sublime Stevie Wonder songbook, Noel and the musicians delivered a tasteful and engaging set, during which time seemed to fly by.
A welcome surprise to see my colleague Dave Webster and his son Oliver in the audience. Congratulation Oli for achieving Grade 8 on the drums. Hardly surprising perhaps, with a father who has played in the West End, plus Rick for a teacher!
