The Old Duke, Bristol - Feb. 15

The Old Duke has been part of the Bristol jazz scene for many a year. Live music seven nights a week, many of the nights jazz and blues gigs, it's always free admission. 

Contrary to the local weather forecast it was a surprisingly sunny day, and with an hour to kill before catching a train to Newcastle, it was time to pay a first visit to the famed jazz joint. Turning into King Street the sounds of a Sunday lunchtime session filtering out onto the street were enough to tempt the passerby to pop in to check out who was playing Jeepers Creepers. 

Walking through the door, immediately to our right a six piece band was in full swing. A pianist, pressed up against a window sat at an upright. In a typically tight space sat/stood a tenor saxophonist, a trumpet player, sousaphonist, drummer, said pianist, and a vocalist.

Looking around the split level room, the walls adorned by fading gig posters, it seemed likely the clientele were long-time habitués of the Bristol juke joint. The sort of place a first time visitor wouldn't want to unwittingly sit in a regular's seat! Russell