On what was arguably the coldest night of the year so far, Blackheath Halls became a warm haven for jazz aficionados. This venerable venue, which has hosted live music for over 160 years, provided the perfect intimate backdrop; its tiered seating and round tables brought audience and performers together in a rare closeness, (so often lost in larger halls) a fitting setting for an evening steeped in the legacy of Ronnie Scott’s, the greatest jazz club in the world.
The evening began with James Pearson, musical director at Ronnie Scott’s, leading the Ronnie Scott’s All Stars. With deft
command of both the keyboard and the ensemble, Pearson set the tone with a
vibrant opening, before introducing Jo
Harrop, whose presence filled the room with elegance and warmth.
Harrop’s rendition of Henry Mancini’s Charade, with Johnny Mercer’s
lyrics floating effortlessly through the hall, was delivered with subtlety and
charm, supported by the rhythmic heartbeat of Tomlinson on drums and Burgess on
bass.
Pearson’s storytelling, interwoven with music and
archival images, painted a vivid picture of 1960s Soho and the birth of Ronnie
Scott’s — a club whose name has become synonymous with jazz excellence
worldwide. The All Stars’ playing provided a living bridge to that golden era,
with Richardson’s saxophone alternating between empathetic tenderness and
vibrant colour, always framing Harrop’s nuanced vocals perfectly.
The first set showcased Harrop moving effortlessly
between standards and originals. Jule
Styne’s Time After Time
and Burns and Herman’s Early Autumn drew heartfelt applause, while her
own compositions, taken from five studio albums, blended seamlessly with the
classics. Particularly moving was the penultimate number of the first set, You’ll
Never Be Lonely in Soho, a reflective homage to the eclectic characters who
populate Frith Street, capturing the essence of the neighbourhood that gave
jazz in London its beating heart.
The second set exploded with energy. Tomlinson set the
room alight with a breathtaking five-minute drum solo on Buddy Rich’s Lover,
Come Back to Me, while Pearson and Harrop held the room in suspense with a
stirring performance of Robert Goulet’s
If Ever I Would Leave You.
Pearson’s phrasing throughout was exemplary, giving Harrop’s vocals room to
soar to every corner of the hall.
The evening’s pinnacle, however, was Harrop’s
interpretation of I Loves You, Porgy. A song she grew up with, inspired by Nina
Simone’s emotive style, Harrop delivered a vocal of immense depth and feeling.
Pearson’s piano danced around her lines, building tension and release before
the full band joined, with Richardson’s saxophone fluttering through the final
phrases to rapturous applause.
Jo Harrop is at her absolute finest when given space
to inhabit a song, and the set list at Blackheath Halls allowed her to do just
that. Paired with James Pearson’s masterful direction and the Ronnie Scott’s
All Stars’ consummate musicianship, the evening was a testament to the enduring
power of the Great American Songbook, the legacy of London jazz, and the
timeless allure of the world’s greatest jazz club. Glenn Wright
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