Georgia Cécile @ Ronnie Scott's - Nov. 9

Georgia Cécile (vocals); Ryan Quigley (trumpet); Euan Stevenson (piano); Andrew Robb (double bass); Max Popp (drums)

A Ronnie Scott's debut for Georgia Cécile attracted a full house. A 2019 Scottish Jazz Awards winner (Best Vocalist), our Edinburgh based Glaswegian could scarcely contain her excitement at being on hallowed ground, no. 47 Frith Street, Soho. Where many legendary names once stood, Georgia Cécile's time had come.

Accompanying our debutant, three of Scotland's finest and an adopted Scot: Ms Cecile's long time songwriting partner, pianist Euan Stevenson, bassist Andrew Robb (no stranger to Ronnie Scott's), first call trumpeter Ryan Quigley, and Chicagoan Max Popp, drums. 

Taking centre stage to a rapturous reception, a smiling, perhaps a tad nervous, Georgia was about to sing her heart out. Songs from her recently released album Only the Lover Sings formed the basis of her set alongside two or three GASbook gems. From Come Summertime to the Ellington-inspired Harpoon, Georgia knocked 'em for six, and this was only the beginning. In My Solitude featured Ryan Quigley's lyrical side, Month of May gets better with each hearing (was there a My Favorite Things quote in there?), Bitter Sweet, the Gershwins' I Was Doing Alright featuring Quigley, Stevenson and a round of fours with Max Popp, one sensed things were going well.  

Georgia confided she'd never sung Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep in public...until this evening. Georgia and Euan, as a duo, performed the Irving Berlin number as if it had been in the pad for years. Marvellous, simply marvellous. Max Popp's brushes enveloped Goodbye Love with Andrew Robb momentarily in the spotlight. The Man I Love featured the boys in the band (Ryan Quigley killing!), Georgia smiling, we were nearing the end of a memorable evening. To deafening applause - some were on their feet - Georgia simply had to oblige with an encore and she did, going out with He Knew How to Love. This evening, Ronnie Scott's belonged to Georgia Cécile.
Russell