A glimpse into the unique jazz world of Ronnie Scott’s Club at the Apex in Bury St Edmunds

Review

Ronnie Scott’s All Stars, The Apex, Bury St Edmunds, Thursday, January 11

It was a unique evening to celebrate the music and history of Ronnie Scott’s and it thrilled a packed auditorium.

Four talented musicians in the shape of James Pearson (piano), Sam Burgess (bass), Chris Higgingbottom (drums) and Alex Garnett (saxophone) along with dynamic vocalist Emma Smith captured the hot bed of music from the Soho club which helped to put the UK on the jazz map.

There were iconic archive images and footage on a screen at the back of the stage of some of the famous musicians and singers who appeared at Ronnie Scott’s since it opened back in October 1959.

But it was the music the audience came to hear and they were delighted with a string of jazz greats including “Feeling Good”, “Alfie’s Theme”, “East of the Sun”, vocal acrobatics in “Doodling”, “I’m Hip”, an amazing rendition of “Sing, Sing, Sing” featuring a drum solo, “How High The Moon” and “Satin Doll’ to name just a few.

It was a glimpse into a unique world and its incredible history.

Russell Cook