Clare Teal w. the Jay Phelps Big Band @ The Sage.

It must be all those pork pies that Ms Teal told us she eats, that must be what makes her sing so well! There’s no other explanation for such a big voice with such a wide range, and such enthusiasm and friendly chat from this Yorkshire lass.

After three of four numbers from the band, on bounced Ms Teal, clad in black top and trousers, telling us in song that it was Too Darn Hot. This was followed by a change of mood to a sophisticated, slidey version of We’ll Be Together Again, and then came Let Me Off Uptown, with help from Jay Phelps himself on trumpet and repartee between choruses as they re-created the number made famous by Anita O'Day and Roy Eldridge with the Gene Krupa Band. Blues In The Night, heartfelt and dramatic, rounded off Ms Teal’s contribution to the first half of the show.

The second half brought us more of the band alone and then Clare returned with A Foggy Day, which included a delightful solo from John Turville on piano. This was followed by a sensitive Skylark, as arranged by Alan Ganley, and Feelin' Good, with an effective bass accompaniment to the verse which mentions butterflies. The final number was a lively Cheek to Cheek. Everyone on the stage pulled out all the stops for the encore, which was I Just Wanna Make Love To You, and this included impressive solos from all the players. A great ending to a massively enjoyable gig.

Ann Alex