Off to London to see the Marc Copland Trio at the Pizza Express Jazz Club in Soho.
American Copland started his musical life as a saxophonist, but then spent ten years retraining as a pianist. I have around a dozen of his recordings but have never seen him live.
A straightforward run down on the 15.38 and then a walk to Judd books where, rarely, we came away empty handed.
More walking and then a short cab ride, and we reached Soho around 30 minutes before the club doors were due to open at 18.30. A wander around the streets, including through Soho Square, from where we could see Centre Point:
Eventually retracing our steps, we arrived at the venue:
Through the restaurant, down the spiral staircase at the rear and a short wait with others in the tiny vestibule area before the maitre d' started assigning tables. Having indicated our preference when we made the booking we got one of my favourites - right in front of the drums:
but with a good view of the bass:
and piano:
Happy bunnies:
Chillin':
After food (La Reine Pizza on a classic base, Pollo Pesto, chocolate fondant and cheesecake) and a while spent observing our fellow diners, we were ready for the band to take to the stage.
Marc Copland:
Bassist Drew Gress:
Depping for the indisposed Joey Baron, drummer Jonas Burgwinkel from the Pablo Held Trio:
Two sets of fantastic jazz, with most tunes coming from Copland's latest recording, "And I Love Her", which features the Beatles tune of the same name.
Jazz blogger Sebastian Scotney and British saxophonist Julian Siegel were both in attendance, and during the interval were helping to sell Marc's new CD. I had taken my own copy with me and Marc and Drew were kind enough to sign it as a memento of the evening.
The band took their bows:
and then returned for a single encore, before which Marc reminded us that the venue had instructed them to close at 22.30, and that by encouraging them to play on we were putting them in danger from the large ceiling-mounted scythe that was likely to descend at any moment and literally cut him off:
I'm not sure Drew believed him:
The final bow:
Out into Soho, a quick walk in light drizzle to Oxford Street and a cab back to St Pancras where, it being mid-week, everything seemed much quieter and more deserted than when we go down on a Friday night:
Home at around 02.40 and to bed about 5 minutes later.
The next day, Sebastian Scotney's web site contained a review. The photos contained in that review were taken by Polish photographer Monika Jakubowska, and more photos of the gig can be found here.
Careful examination of a number of these reveal your correspondent and his partner in crime. For those who need assistance in locating them, I offer these clues:
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