The James Pearson Trio

Diehards may not care for the cocktail ambience and crossover gigs at the new-look Ronnie Scott’s, but there’s no question the house band, led by James Pearson, upholds the old traditions. One of those multifaceted players capable of invoking everyone from George Gershwin to Oscar Peterson and Dudley Moore, Pearson is in shattering form on these sessions. Even a tune as overfamiliar as Cherokee comes up looking invigorated in a ferocious stop-time arrangement. Sam Burgess (bass) and Chris Dagley (drums) keep things boiling along. In a set full of contrast and colour, the Beatles tunes Lady Madonna and Here, There and Everywhere come close to stealing the show.

Clive Davis – The Sunday Times

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