Jazz in Soho

I went to Ronnie Scott's last Thursday night to see Charlie Watts and The Tentet. It was great to see Charlie having such a good time playing with so many jazz musicians he obviously admires. Though all eleven of the Tentet (!) got at least one solo, Charlie limited himself to a few rolls and flourishes. I think the presence of Evan Parker accounted for the extra man. Good to see him in a front line with the likes of Julian Arguelles and Peter King. The man I thought the most of, however, was Gerard Presencer on trumpet and flugelhorn. In addition to providing a terrific duet with Henry Lowther, he did quite a few of the arrangements, most notably one for the Stones' "You Can't Always Get What You Want."

An amazingly enjoyable night, topped off by a taxi ride home in a white Merc with leather upholstery.