That truly terrible picture (please send me a better one – Andy?)  is of Jason Rebello landing the first chord at the album launch of Anything But Look (Lyte Records) at the Vibe Bar in Brick Lane last night. What a genuinely happy occasion. Jason Rebello’s energy and musicality inspire loyalty, and affection, and simply inspire. The  lyric ‘Joy is Here to Stay’, a feature for vocalist Joy Rose -with BVs from Jacob Collier and Sumudu – summed up the evening.

We don’t see enough of Jason Rebello. He is based in the West country near Bath. He’s toured the world with Sting and Jeff Beck. It’s his first album in years. So this felt like a proper re-connection with the London scene, for which musicians, friends and fans turned out in force and sold the gig out.

As pianist, composer and bandleader, he lives to the full every single moment of a gig to the full. There isn’t ever a single note just ‘phoned in’. It was a lively gig, but we all stood in pindrop silence for an eloquent solo take on Lennon and McCartney’s Blackbird.

Band list to follow.  We reviewed the album HERE.  Videos from the recording HERE