Home » Jazz Articles » Live Review » Tessa Souter at Pizza Express in London's Soho
Tessa Souter at Pizza Express in London's Soho

Pizza Express Soho
London
June 23, 2018
In a once seedy part of London, also home to the UK film industry, lies the heart of the capital's jazz scene. Iconic Ronnie Scott's is off Soho Square in Frith Street while on a corner of nearby Dean Street in a cellar beneath a Pizza Express is their live jazz club. For over 40 years it has presented the best of jazz from around the world. Unusual perhaps, but this is the flagship of a total of four live Pizza Express jazzz venues founded by Peter Boizot in the city and they have 30 more around the country offering Free on Thursday live jazz. Clearly, this is a company that recognizes the benefit of including jazz in their business plan to differentiate them in a crowded market place.
On Saturday June 23, 2018 they presented

Tessa Souter
vocalsb.1956
Sean Hargreaves
piano
Winston Clifford
drumsb.1965

Alec Dankworth
bass, acoustic
John Dankworth
saxophone1927 - 2010

Cleo Laine
vocals1927 - 2025
Ms Souter surprised with the inclusion of Albinoni's adagio in G for which she herself had written the lyrics. It's not easy to write to the halting baroque style but it worked. On further investigation it turns out the adagio was in fact written by a later biographer under Abinoni's name. Ms Souter ended her first set with her powerful version of the Cream tune "White room."
At the end of the gig, meeting at the side of the stage it was clear Ms Souter had poured all her effort and considerable talent into the evening performance. We agreed we had both enjoyed our Saturday night in London. The pizza was good too.
Tags
Live Reviews
Tessa Souter
Martin McFie
United Kingdom
London
Sean Hargreaves
Winston Clifford
Alec Dankworth
Johnny Dankworth
Cleo Laine
Comments
PREVIOUS / NEXT
Support All About Jazz

Go Ad Free!
To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.
London
Concert Guide | Venue Guide | Local Businesses
| More...
London Concerts
Sep
11
Thu
Tanhai Collective - Restaurant
Jazz Cafe
London, UK
Sep
11
Thu
Lydia Bell Presents... the Greatest Female Jazz Singers
Green Note
London, UK
Sep
11
Thu
BENOIT VIELLEFON HOT CLUB - live at the Bohemian
The Bohemian
Eastbourne, UK
Sep
11
Thu
Eddie Prã©Vost, Silvan Schmid, Tom Wheatley
Vortex Jazz Club
London, UK
Sep
11
Thu
Ackerley/Musson/Wallace/Sanders Quartet [Downstairs]
Vortex Jazz Club
London, UK
Sep
11
Thu
The Art Themen Organ Trio With Special Guest Denny Ilett
The Boston Room, George IV
London, UK
Sep
11
Thu
Olivia Cuttill: "And Writing and Singing Tunes to be...
Alfie's Soho
London, UK
Sep
11
Thu
Marvin Muoneké at Alfie's Soho Jazz Festival
Alfie's Soho
London, UK
Sep
11
Thu
Anjelo Disons and the Oracle at Jack Solomons Soho Jazz...
Jack Solomons Club
London, UK
Sep
11
Thu
Soho Saints Brass Band at Piano Bar Red Room Studios
Piano Bar Soho
London, UK

London
Concert Guide | Venue Guide | Local Businesses | More...
Sep
11
Thu
Tanhai Collective - Restaurant
Jazz CafeLondon, UK
Sep
11
Thu
Lydia Bell Presents... the Greatest Female Jazz Singers
Green NoteLondon, UK
Sep
11
Thu

BENOIT VIELLEFON HOT CLUB - live at the Bohemian
The BohemianEastbourne, UK
Sep
11
Thu
Eddie Prã©Vost, Silvan Schmid, Tom Wheatley
Vortex Jazz ClubLondon, UK
Sep
11
Thu
Ackerley/Musson/Wallace/Sanders Quartet [Downstairs]
Vortex Jazz ClubLondon, UK
Sep
11
Thu

The Art Themen Organ Trio With Special Guest Denny Ilett
The Boston Room, George IVLondon, UK
Sep
11
Thu
Olivia Cuttill: "And Writing and Singing Tunes to be...
Alfie's SohoLondon, UK
Sep
11
Thu
Marvin Muoneké at Alfie's Soho Jazz Festival
Alfie's SohoLondon, UK
Sep
11
Thu
Anjelo Disons and the Oracle at Jack Solomons Soho Jazz...
Jack Solomons ClubLondon, UK
Sep
11
Thu
Soho Saints Brass Band at Piano Bar Red Room Studios
Piano Bar SohoLondon, UK