It don't mean a thing if...

The Madame and I braved the OTT scaremongering of this threatened "Covid-19 lockdown" to go to the swanky Cadogan Hall [the second time in two weeks] last night for an evening in the company of the very lovely Clare Teal, presenter of one of our favourite shows on Radio 2, with her "Big Mini Big Band"!

Miss Teal alone is a charming and sincere host and a sublimely-talented singer, so we knew we were going to be in for a good night. As one reviewer put it:

"Despite holding the title of having the biggest recording contract for a British jazz singer, Clare Teal is as down-to-earth as they come. She strolls onto the stage with a big smile and a wave, from then on it feels almost like being at home with her having a cup of tea and a chat."

However, when combined with an array of jazz talent, courtesy of her own band - conducted by trumpeter and composer Guy Barker - pianist extraordinaire Jason Rebello, and special guests clarinettist Giacomo Smith and guitarist Dave Archer of Kansas Smitty's House Band, this was something very special indeed.



The combo played a full set of familiar standards (the likes of My Funny Valentine, From This Moment On, Cry Me A River, Perfidia and more), lesser-known numbers (including 30s singer Maxine Sullivan's If I Had a Ribbon Bow, a long-forgotten '70s number by the Little River Band Reminiscing, and an obscure Elvis number Don't), big band showpiece numbers (including It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)) and some rather marvellous jazzy re-workings of unexpected musical choices that included a version of Tea For Two as arranged by blind accordionist Joe Mooney, Radiohead's No Surprises performed as a smoky late-night cabaret number - and we whooped with joy when she sang Tainted Love done in the style of Miss Peggy Lee!

Despite some unnecessary early heckling from the audience about Miss Teal's microphone being drowned out by the band (which was soon addressed by the venue's audio team) and the asthma-inducing clamber up and down the stairs of the Hall to and from the bar and toilets, this was a superbly-structured evening's entertainment, and a much-needed treat, indeed.

There's a dearth of videos out there to show off Miss Teal and her Big Mini Big Band's talents, but here are a few selections I have found from the interwebs for your delectation:

Clare Teal - Tea for Two

Clare Teal - All of Me

Clare Teal - Get Happy

We love Clare Teal!