This was a lovely evening. A real tonic. Seven brilliant Bristol ‘Jazz Dames’ accompanied by the also brilliant but ‘tres cool’ and phlegmatic George Cooper Trio were introduced and compered by an effusive Mr Maff Potts.

The foyer/bar felt like a jazz club as soon as you were there – transported from ‘real life’ straight into a heady, relaxing jazz vibe. Bliss. Sipping a glass of red, listening to The George Cooper Trio, catching glimpses of the singers who mingled with each other and the pre-concert crowd, dressed to their jazzy nines and posing for glamorous snapshots, the mood was set for the concert to follow.

Maff Potts was a warm, inviting and flirtatious host. The girls played along, the chemistry on stage between host, band members and singers was fun and infectious. The line up was Emily Wright, Tammy Payne, Katya Gorrie, Nadine Gingell, Lucy Moon, Molly King and Victoria Klewin.  All fab. All different. Lounging on the plush sofas inbetween songs, chatting, laughing, toe-tapping and appreciating each other’s performances, the party on stage was a joy to feel part of  in the audience.

The range of songs – classics from jazz’s ‘Golden Age’ – covered every mood and style, soulful, lyrical, melancholic, cheeky, bouncy, raunchy, fun, solos, duets, and fantastic group numbers. The drama was high and the music was heaven. The standard of singing was tip tip top. Inspiring to hear so many wonderful female voices on stage in one night.

Apologies for not being able to regale you with details of different songs that were sung … this will have to suffice as an ‘impressionistic’ overview review … the music merged beautifully from peformer to performer – and the splash of colour they created  on stage was a pleasure to behold, like a bright painting that just makes you feel happy :). The perfect pick-me-up for a drizzly November evening.

As the launch for the Bristol International Jazz & Blues Festival 2016 it set a promising and enticing tone …

Hoping to see Katya Gorrie again in the Moscow Drug Club at The Lantern, Colston Hall, Thursday January 21st …