Veteran promoter Brian Blain has developed a regular, sympathetic, listening audience for the gigs at Lauderdale House in Highgate. It’s a venue which musicians enjoy playing.

Lauderdale House has Partisans – with Gene Calderazzo, caught in one of Garry Corbett’s great photos above- performing tonight.

Brian has kindly sent in a list of his favourite haunts.

*The Lower Ground Bar in West Hampstead: great atmosphere and real jazz without self important posturing

*On good nights when there isnt too much chat- the 606

*The Crown, Richmond

*The WOW gigs, formerly at the Ramjam in Kingston and now at the Orange Tree in Richmond.