The London Django Collective @ The Piano Bar, Soho, London - Jan. 25

Kourosh Kanani (guitar); Kit Massey (violin); Ducato Petrowski (guitar); Marcus Penrose (double bass)

A first visit for BSH to the the Piano Bar in Soho. Located just off Dean Street, a discreet door to a townhouse, press the bell (no.16) and wait. Once ushered inside, show proof of a reservation and you're escorted to a table. Dimly lit, table service, London prices, the 'first house' would consist of two half hour sets.

Nursing an eight quid 330ml IPA, it took a while for the eyes to adjust to the low level speakeasy lighting. The 'London Django Collective' is what you would expect it to be - all things Django, its members the crème de la crème of the London Hot Club scene. The first set would feature guitarist Kourosh Kanani and violinist Kit Massey. Kanani apologising for his tiredness, having recently returned from a month in India, our man noting the change in temperature! 

All very casual, Kanani (first seen and heard on an edition of Adrian Cox's lockdown Sunday Service) and Massey sat down, and began to play. From I Love You to Norwegian Dance, Swing 42, I Remember April to I'm Confessin', these guys were the business! Our duo sat within touching distance of the audience, seeing, as well as hearing, what Kanani and Massey were doing, was a rare privilege. Quite simply, 'virtuoso' doesn't begin to describe Kanani's (and Massey's) talents. Best note the date, January 25, this set tops the 'Gig of the Year' list.

Second set, Kanani and Massey were joined by guitarist Ducato Petrowski and bassist Marcus Penrose. How High the Moon, yet more excellence, Petrowski supplying the rhythm, contributing classy solos of his own, Penrose another great bass player, the man at the back, unobtrusive, yet authoritative. Cole Porter's What is This Thing Called Love?, all four musicians contributing to the ambience, and, in the week of what would have been Django Reinhardt's 113th birthday (b. 23.1.1910), the London Django Collective closed with Minor Swing. Quite simply, superb. Russell