Hosted by Paul Pace (pictured), a fine singer in the Sinatra mould, a variety of vocalists appeared. Some on the way up, others already there. Local award-winning singer Zoë Gilby made her capital debut there supporting Polly Gibbons and, if you were there, you could never forget the night Emma Smith and Ian Shaw dueted and scatted on Centerpiece?
Esther Bennett, Alex Stewart, Kai Hoffman were just some of the names that appeared and always backed by an ace trio including pianists Geoff Eales, Rick Simpson, Barry Green and Alex Hutton. Bassist Simon Little and a variety of top drummers. PHOTOS.
Then there was the old guy on the door. Invariably he would shower me with cassettes: Mingus, Joe Harriott and Ronnie Ross with MJQ, Getz, Lennie Niehaus, he seemed to know exactly where my interests lay and had a tape to suit.
He was a man of few words. If a sentence had more than four words it was a soliloquy. I once mentioned a legendary American jazzman (he's still around today so I won't mention his name) and received a single word reply 'imposter!' he said.
After several visits I asked him his name. 'I haven't got one' he replied.
The last time I saw the nameless one he gave me a DVD that, for some reason disappeared during my unpacking when I returned home - until now that is. Last week I rediscovered it and gazed in awe at what I'd been sitting on (not literally) for maybe ten or twelve years.
Tubby Hayes Big Band introduced by Humph on Jazz 625, Benny Golson conducting a jazz/symphony orchestra, Gerald Wilson Big Band with Teddy Edwards on tenor, Japanese pianist Toshiko with husband Lew Tabackin on tenor, Thad Jones/Mel Lewis to mention but a few. Most are in black and white and although the video quality isn't great the sound quality is.
Mr A.N. Other, if you're still around, thank you so much. Lance
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