Jetting back from a tour of Japan, jazz-funk fusion legends Shakatak arrived in the county town to thrill the packed Sunday afternoon audience at the Ipswich Jazz & Blues Club.

With two sets transporting me back to Shakatak's hit machine days of the early 1980s, the line-up of Bill Sharpe (keyboards), Jill Saward (voice, percussion & flute), Roger Odell (drums), Steve Walters (bass guitar), Jacqui Hicks (voice, saxophone & flute), and Alan Wormold (guitar) graced the Willow Suite stage of Venue 16.

Their hit opener Invitations – from their eponymous 1982 album - introduced us to their exciting rhythms with more than a hint of Brazilian Latino pop about them. Introducing Easier Said Than Done, Bill reminded us that the song had gained the band their first appearance on the much-lamented BBC TV show Top of The Pops. 

The catchy Streetwalkin' featured Jacqui's atmospheric sax accompanying Jill's soulful voice. Another great tune, beautifully sung by Jill, was Dark Is The Night. Jill duetted with Al Jarreau on the original recording of Day By Day, but their very funky stage version was a delight. 

The coolest performance was reserved for their famous hit Night Birds. Bill's tinkling keyboards, Jill's vocals and percussive rhythms, Roger's drumming grooves, Steve's funky bass, and Alan's Carlos Santana style, all backed by Jacqui's vocals, tambourine, and shaker, blended into a superb musical combo. Bill and Roger's excellent composition is my all-time Shakatak favourite, and I was blown away by the live performance - brilliant.

Many more hits and popular album tracks kept coming before the encore Down On The Street got the audience up on their feet and dancing - a sight not seen often enough in jazz clubs!

Bill is a gifted musician/composer and an amusing raconteur with a nice line of self-deprecating humour. Jill is an infectious full-on attention grabber, whether it's with her beautiful soulful and smooth singing or giving it her all on percussion. Likewise, Roger's relentlessly driving drumming is the background to the overall Shakatak sound and 'feel'. That's in addition to his joint composing with Bill.

Stepping into fill the shoes of the indisposed regular bassist George Anderson was his nephew, Steve Walters. In a post-show interview, he told me that he only had the briefest of run-throughs of the setlist.  Fortunately, his wealth of experience playing for many superstars saw him seamlessly fit into the key role in creating the band's signature funk sound. 

Jacqui is not only a jazz star in her own right but also a long-standing Shakatak member who harmonizes with Jill to create their great style and lovely vocals. She also comes into her own with sax and flute solos and accompaniments. 

Another long-time member, Alan, completes the sextet. His backing vocals and guitar work are integral elements of the band's unique sound. I appreciated his virtuoso playing, particularly his lead on the instrumental Don't Say That Again.

IJ&BC Chairman Stephen Foster promised the Club's "biggest gig so far" this year from the band who perform with smiles on their faces and like it's one big party. It's great to know that we have members of such an internationally successful band based locally here in our part of Suffolk and willing to share their talent at such an intimate venue – well done to them.

The Club is a friendly place to visit with the organisers making their guests feel at home. Their fundraising raffle and seasonal gifts of sausage rolls and mince pies for every guest was a lovely touch, which I particularly appreciated!

To see what shows are coming up for 2023, and to book tickets, visit www.ipswichjazzandblues.com