Following the Covid induced break since early last year, Hadleigh Jazz Club burst back into life with an outstanding show featuring the celebrated Suffolk singing star Polly Gibbons, and acclaimed pianist James Pearson - and didn't the jazz-starved audience just love it.

Throughout the show, they performed a selection of self-penned numbers as well as many swinging standards. The appropriately entitled Permit Me (To Introduce You to Yourself), got the show off to an upbeat and swinging start, with which Polly and James immediately embraced the appreciative audience.

A change of mood and pace followed with their original composition Is it Me? from Polly's album of the same name. Slower, it introduced the soulful and sophisticated feature of her vocal persona. Her livelier up-tempo side came to the fore with Honeysuckle Rose, which was perfect for James to add his interpretation to Fats Waller's original 'stride' piano style novelty number.

First recorded by Johnny Mathis, Wild is the Wind was interpreted with gentleness and introspection – a beautiful song, given an appropriately sensitive rendition by the whole ensemble. In contrast, Miss Celie's Blues, from the movie The Color Purple, was delivered with a bluesy/honkytonk arrangement.

Following the intermission, the opening instrumental, I'm Old Fashioned, gave James, Conor Chaplin (bass) and George Double (drums) the opportunity to amply demonstrate their individual talents. Many other numbers followed but, with a surprising twist to the repertoire, the set's final number, Anything Goes, was given an unexpectedly raunchy burlesque treatment – and why not.

After the applause had died down, the audience was treated to an encore of Almost Like Being in Love – and, indeed, the Hadleigh audience were loving Polly, James and crew bringing live jazz music back to the town hall. The Jazz Club started life in 2012, and I have attended most gigs since its early days, and I can honestly say that this one was as good as it gets.

The talented quartet gave the lucky audience a night to remember. Making a rare appearance in her home county, Polly was sometimes swinging and energetic, at times soulful and bluesy, always stylish, along with a touch of sparkle -- like her footwear.

Alongside her, at one moment James could be providing thoughtful and refined accompaniments to Polly's vocals, but in a moment set off on a blaze of glittering virtuosic improvisations. Conor and George's rhythm section provided a swinging and cool groove which effortlessly blended with the dazzling upfront couple.

A bit about the artistes

From Framlingham, Polly has an impressive CV, including performances at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, The Royal Albert Hall and the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival – and now Hadleigh Jazz Club. Her extensive touring has seen her perform in the USA, Europe, and Asia. Additionally, she has been nominated twice as Best Jazz Vocalist by Jazz FM and the BBC. Three CDs fully showcase her repertoire, of which I have been enjoying listening to Many Faces of Love.

James, who can claim to be a local lad made very good, spent his early years in Kersey. He is a pianist, composer, arranger, recording artist and the Musical Director at Ronnie Scott's. He is equally at home as a concert pianist and has played with some of the country's leading symphony orchestras.

A trio of Suffolk performers was completed by drummer and HJC promoter George Double. Originally from Ipswich, but now living in Hadleigh, George was a member of both the Suffolk Youth Jazz and Youth Symphony Orchestras. Following university, his full-time professional musical career has seen him perform with the likes of Dame Shirley Bassey, Jack Jones, Mica Paris, Marc Almond, Bonnie Langford, and many other stars. He is also a member of HJC favourites the Chris Ingham Trio.

Not from Suffolk, but seemingly at home here, the quartet was completed by the talented bassist Conor Chaplin. Conor studied at the Trinity College of Music and was a member of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra. To his name, he has a string of touring and recording credits with many jazz luminaries.

To accommodate the normal attendance number in a socially distanced manner, the band performed matinée and evening shows. Such was the pent-up demand for tickets, both houses sold out within 90 minutes of the box office opening.

If you are not already on the HJC mailing list, contact George and ask to be subscribed. His address is [email protected] and his website is at: www.georgedouble.com

Following the lifting of restrictions, the next show will be on Saturday 28 August at 7.30pm. The Chris Ingham Quartet will be presenting 'Hoagy!', a joyful salute to the life and music of Hoagy Carmichael. Tickets (£16) are available from www.ticketsource.co.uk/hadleigh-jazz-club

Review by Robert Carr