More on The Spice of Life

Russell's post about the re-opening of the Spice of Life brought back a host of memories - many of which have been recorded in these pages.

My first experience was way back, don't ask me when, I perchanced to see a chalked up notice outside: JAZZ TONITE - FRANK HOLDER.

Frank Holder! I remembered him from the old Dankworth Band. I followed the direction towards the basement falling flat on my face over an unexpected step in the middle of the bar which caused much hilarity - I guess it was a nightly occurrence!

(Pic by Russell)

I picked myself up, dusted myself off and started all over again making my way down to the basement. I could hear Holder beating seven shades out of the bongos and a band riffing away behind him but that was where the story ended. "Sorry guv, we're sold out, more than my jobs worth...

Fast forward into the next century and the first of many Wednesday evenings,

Paul Pace was now running the show and, after delivering a cool Sinatra, Greco, Tormé style vocal he'd introduce a variety of wannabee singers many of whom reached their goal including wor Zoë taking her first tentative steps into the great wide world.

One of the more unusual characters at The Spice was the doorman. Not a doorman in the bouncer manner - quite the opposite, in fact I doubt if he could even bounce a cheque but he was a lovely guy and knew his jazz like no one.

I recollect seeing Charles Lloyd at The Barbican and leaving at the interval to head back to Soho.

"You're late". he said like a teacher reprimanding  a pupil, "What's your excuse?" 

"I was at the Charles Lloyd concert - I left early."

"Don't blame you - load of rubbish."

Rather like Dave Weisser with his CDs at The Chilli, he invariably had an assortment of tapes that he would unload on me (and any one else he felt would appreciate them) - "Take these, you'll like them." I usually did. In particular Ronnie Ross and Joe Harriott with MJQ at Manchester which is one I still occasionally play.

Apart from the singers, many of whom continue to make their mark, the accompanists were all top notch and there'd always be sitters in such as Ian Shaw, Denys Baptiste, the late Richard Abrams and Noah Preminger (pictured) to name but a few..

Some memories of those exciting evenings are here. 

More recently, in pre-pandemic days, Wednesday lunchtime sessions proved popular. Sarah Dowling, Steve Fishwick, Matt Wates and pianist Leon Greening all played memorable lunchtime gigs. Then, just before the end of the world, they switched to Monday lunchtimes which, as Russell has pointed out is when it all reboots. Lance