There was a hot time in the Town Hall on Saturday night when Hadleigh Jazz Club's latest show featured some of the UK's leading lights on the jazz scene. Before then, it had been a scramble to secure the hottest of tickets for the coolest of shows, resulting in them selling out on the day of release.

Promotor George Double explained that his inspiration for the entertainment were the famed variety concert tours - Jazz at The Philharmonic - produced by the American impresario Norman Granz.

Described by The Sunday Times as "One of the most distinctive singers", making her HJC debut was the vocal star, Vimala Rowe. Sharing the stage with her and making return visits were guitar hero John Etheridge, jazz grandee Art Themen on saxophones, and Hammond organ virtuoso Pete Whittaker, with George Double bringing up the rear on drums. Throughout the show, groupings of the musicians formed three independent ensembles.

Art, Pete, and George, known as Thane and the Villeins (no, don't ask, you'll have to buy their CD and read the sleeve notes) kicked off the show with an up-tempo set. A good act to get the audience in the mood, they ran through Duke Pearson's Chili Peppers, Dexter Gordon's bouncy Hanky Panky and Zoot Sims' rhythmically challenging Brahms … I Think; before closing with the Sonny Rollins arrangement of I'm an Old Cowhand from The Rio Grande. A fun start for the modern jazz 'purists' in the audience.

John Etheridge and Vimala Rowe (Picture credit: Freddie Chaplin)

The impressive duo of Vimala Rowe and English guitar hero John Etheridge offered a contrasting experience. With their mix of standard jazz style numbers and traditionally inspired songs, much of it from their album Out of The Sky, they presented a unique set for the appreciative audience. None more so than for what could be described as the culturally diverse Syria Aramaic Prayer - the Lord's Prayer sung in the language that Jesus spoke. And later on, Malaika - translating as 'Angel' in Swahili - held the audience in rapt attention. Both were sung by Vimala.  

Following the break, yet again the mood was changed by John, Pete and George as Blues Spirit Trio. With this shift in musical style at HJC, John's bluesy guitar and Pete's soulful organ opener delivered a terrific rendition of You Don't Know Me, reminding me of the thrill of seeing Ray Charles in concert during my younger days. Bluesy and rocking numbers followed – Hank Williams' How Can I Melt Your Cold Cold Heart and John Etheridge's fine composition Broken Hill being the standouts.

Art joined the trio for the jump blues number Do Like Eddie, with George driving it on for all he was worth and John producing a stupendous solo – I loved it.  The set's final number, the Gershwin classic Summertime, calmed things down, with Vimala delivering an appropriately expressive rendition. Collectively, all four musicians supported Vimala in producing an atmosphere to match the warmth of the evening – magical. But it wasn't all over, because all five then delivered a rocking jam session finale to send everybody out of the Town Hall in a happy mood and, hopefully, avoiding the stormy weather about to break!

Pete Whittaker and Art Themen (Picture credit: Freddie Chaplin)

George is to be congratulated on pulling together the acts to present what many have said was one of his best promotions to date. Looking ahead, next up on Saturday 20 August is HJC favourite Joanna Eden (voice) and, returning after a nine-year absence, Enrico Tomasso (trumpet and voice), together with the Chris Ingham Trio. They will be 'Cheek to Cheek' in celebrating the music of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. 

Tickets will be on sale from the Ticket Source box office on the Hadleigh Jazz Club link at georgedouble.com Advance information about shows can be obtained by asking to be added to the club's mailing list. Contact George at [email protected]; go to his website; or phone him on 07941 360890. He will be delighted to hear from you.

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