The Scott Hamilton Quartet @ the Soho Pizza Express, London - August 25

© Russell

Scott Hamilton (tenor sax); John  Pearce (piano); Dave Green (double bass); Steve Brown (drums)

Scott Hamilton returned to the Pizza Express for a run of dates working with his tried and trusted London rhythm section comprising John Pearce, Dave Green and Steve Brown. 

One house, two sets of old school tenor playing, we were in for a treat. Jimmy McHugh's I Just Found Out about Love, Harold Arlen's The More I See You, Hamilton stretched out, respectful of the melody, masterful in his invention. 

Recent health issues haven't diminished Hamilton's stamina, although from time to time our European resident American took the opportunity to take a seat, secure in the knowledge his rhythm section would take care of business. As A-listers go, there can't be many better than the ever-elegant John Pearce (piano), the doyen of British bass players Dave Green, and the ever-smiling, swinging drummer Steve Brown. Listening to the trio stretch out was, in itself, a 'concert-within-a-concert'. 

Hamilton announced: a very pretty ballad - Where is Love from Lionel Bart's Oliver! And very pretty it was, too.

Frequently name-checking his fellow musicians, the rapport between all four was clearly evident, indeed, they likely consider themselves friends. 

A Jobim number Hamilton declared too difficult to pronounce opened the second set. Title or not, it was pure AC Jobim and pure Hamilton (breathy tenor). Tin Tin Deo upped the pace, Cole Porter's In the Still of the Night took it down again, perhaps the tune of the evening. Smiles all round, introducing his fellow musicians one more time (of the evening's bass player: That's the great Dave Green), the self-effacing Hamilton declared: I'm still practising! Russell