Following the lengthy spell of freezing conditions endured by the folk of Hadleigh, the Chris Ingham Quintet swung into Town to warm their hearts and raise spirits with an uplifting Christmas musical entertainment.

Celebrating ten years of sold-out shows at Soho's Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, the Quintet's seasonal production 'Jazz at the Movies – A Swinging Christmas' attracted two full houses for this year's annual performance at Hadleigh Jazz Club.

Since the 2014 Hadleigh debut of 'A Swinging Christmas', the combo's personnel has comprised the talents of Joanna Eden (voice), Mark Crooks (clarinet/saxophone), Chris Ingham (piano/musical director/commentary) and George Double (drums); now joined by Geoff Gascoyne (bass). 

To best describe the show, Chris said: "The ever-evolving song selection delivers a delightful stocking-full of 20th-Century holiday classics and curiosities; a unique blend of irreverence, poignancy and joy."

Joanna Eden (Picture: Martin Gould)

Fronting the group, Joanna's classic songs came in the shape of Let it Snow, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, More Than You Know, and many more associated with the movies. Having seen her in concert on several occasions, I cannot help but regard her as one of the most talented singer/songwriter/pianists I have seen. 

Joanna engaged the audience with ease; for example, with her jaunty self-penned ditty So Many Santas encouraging the audience to enthusiastically participate in the chorus of her new number.  This was a fun seasonal departure from her personal, reflective, and expressive signature style.

Accompanying herself on piano, Songbird was performed as a moving solo tribute to the recently departed Fleetwood Mac singer Christine McVie, who composed the song.  It was beautifully sung by Joanna.

Geoff Gascoyne and Joanna Eden (Picture: Martin Gould)

Mark Crooks is a class act, his versatile musicality varying to suit the eclectic range of numbers he performed. At times smooth, then swinging, and in another moment rocking sax on So Many Santas. On Greg Lake's melancholy, I Believe In Father Christmas, his clarinet and Joanna's voice duetted to perfection.

The incorporation of more recent less traditional pieces, such as those by The Darkness, Donny Hathaway, Chris Rea and Greg Lake, has encouraged me to explore their bodies of work – maybe readers might find it an equally rewarding experience.

HJC promotor George emerged from behind his drumkit (with Joanna temporarily replacing him!) to perform in his inimitable way, We Need A Little Christmas, the rousing novelty number from Mame.

George Double doing vocals (Picture: Martin Gould)

As MC, Chris entertained with his brand of cynical drollery about Christmas; but his genuine enjoyment of the whole seasonal event was revealed by his lively rendition of What's This? from Tim Burton's dark fantasy film The Nightmare Before Christmas. Try and hear this from the movie's soundtrack – it's brilliantly original.

Along with Joanna and Mark, the rhythm section's Chris with his thoughtfully constructed piano accompaniment; Geoff's bass work affinity with Joanna; and George's unerringly apposite style, has confirmed them as "One of the finest combos in the country", as Jazz Journal described them. 

BBC Radio has described the show as "sublime seasonal jazz" - and it turned out that way with the joyously jazzy show perfectly heralding in the festive period for concertgoers. Audience members expressed their delight at the musical fayre as they departed out into the frosty Market Place. 

Joanna with band (Picture: Martin Gould)

During a post-event chat, the HJC Promotor George Double told me that it was the most successful show he had put on in Hadleigh. Having attended the Club's first-ever Christmas show in 2014, it has been great to witness its development into the highlight of the jazz year and an established fixture on Hadleigh's Christmas social calendar. 

Next year's programme kicks off on Saturday 18 February, and features the exciting virtuoso jazz violinist Ben Holder with the Chris Ingham Trio. Tickets will be available from ticketsource.co.uk/hadleigh-jazz-club    

Advance information about HJC shows can be obtained by asking to be added to the Club's mailing list. Contact George Double at [email protected] or via his website at georgedouble.com