Bridget Metcalfe (vocals); Dave Archbold (piano); Josh Bentham (alto/concert flutes); Dan Johnson (alto sax); Vilda Kuby (double bass); Steve Fletcher (drums).
The new line up of the Bridget Metcalfe band promised to give the audience an entertaining night of music that would include several of her original compositions.
Starting with an instrumental number, Billy Taylor's I Wish I Knew How it Would Feel to be Free was a good choice enabling the musicians to immediately display their talents with an intro from Josh on flute, piano solo from Dave, more flute from Josh and sax from Dan backed up with solid bass and drums from Vilda and Steve respectively making for an excellent start.
With a smile on her face, Bridget stepped up with great enthusiasm to sing the rest of the numbers of the first set.
Demonstrating her fine vocal skills with: Almost Like Being In Love; Just One Of Those Things and Jobim's classic number Wave which was sung and played with great feeling and included excellent solos from Josh and Dan and a moving bass solo from Vilda.
The ever-popular All the Things You Are was followed by Cooper's Calling - an original medium swing number nicely sung by Bridget. From the musical Mr Wonderful, Too Close For Comfort was followed by the ballad Close Enough For Love from the film Agatha.
Chico and the Man, a number with a Latin feel came from an American TV series that ran in the 1970s. Another original composition Martini Please, also had a Latin flavour before the first set was brought to a close with the dramatic ballad Save Your Love For Me.
The second set started in style with a swinging instrumental, Michel Legrand's composition Les Parapluies De Cherbourg.
Bridget then returned to the stage for the remainder of the set starting with a lively version of One Note Samba and a nice original ballad I Can't Let This One Go.
The mood changed completely with How High The Moon?; A Foggy Day; Un Homme et Une Femme (from a French romantic, dramatic movie) and Cole Porter's You'd be so Nice to Come Home to.
Another original song Butterfly was beautifully performed by all the band supporting Bridget's emotional vocal.
Cole Porter's What Is This Thing Called Love? with Bridget's fine vocal and great piano, sax and flute solos backed up by solid bass and drums to set the stage for the final number of the evening the up-tempo bossa No More Blues (Chega de Saudade). Excellent solos all round with driving bass and drums gave Bridget wonderful support to finish the evening.
The originals were written by Bridget in conjunction with Mark Allaway except for Butterfly which she wrote with Chas Jankel.
Another successful guest band night with Bridget showing her experience of the London show scene and the backing of some of the top local jazz musicians.
Many thanks as usual go to the staff of Dorman's Club in their continued support with the jazz night. Ron Hampton
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