AIN'T nothin' rates with a classic blues-singer shouting over a pulsating Count Basie type band. And Hallelujah! The Buck Clayton Legacy Band delivered.
Vocalist Michael Roach is from the deep south – of Cheltenham. Although delve back a little and you discover south Carolina roots.
It was the idea of artistic director Tony Dudley-Evans – one of many signs of a renewed commitment to the jazz side of the Jazz Festival. And what better place for music founded in the 1930s, than the beautiful art deco Daffodil restaurant.
The celebrated hero of the evening, Buck Clayton, 1911-1991, joined the Basie big band in 1937.
That was an era shaped by prohibition, in which the mayor of Kansas City saw it as his duty to keep the police off the backs of hard-working racketeers, so that they could supply the all-time, good-time to citizens.
Art thrives in strange circumstances. Buck imbued the relaxed four-four beat, the simple but compulsive, bluesy arrangements and the searing but subtle solos, to fuel a successful fifty year career, as trumpeter, bandleader and arranger.
The legacy band was founded by German saxophonist Matthias Seuffert; and bassist and Clayton biographer, Alyn Shipton - who inherited scores of Clayton musical scores.
This was the music that generated, or if you prefer degenerated, into rock and roll. And it was a new field for country-blues guitarist Roach.
How did he do? Brilliantly! Not perhaps the huge, sonorous voice of a Jimmy Rushing, but the naturalised Cheltonion has a fine feel for authentic phrasing and rhythm - plus a high sense of humour.
And speaking of rhythm, pianist Martin Litton, guitarist Martin Wheatley, bassist Shipton and drummer Bobby Worth, provided the essential light as air, strong as steel propulsion.
There were splendid instrumentals, including the scintillating, sophisticated Scorpio.
But blues shouters are often the catalyst that draws the best, most concentrated efforts from soloists.
And here were soloists par excellence: two fine trumpeters to try to capture Clayton - Ian Smith and Manno Daams.
Altoist Alan Barnes wailing wonderously, tenorist
Ollie Oggie deep in every sense, and trombonist Adrian Fry, high, wide and gutsy.
A lot of rare gems rolled out amongst Kansas City, and Tain't nobody's Business and joy was unconfined. Well a little confined by acoustics and over-short solos, but if the rest of the bands are this good, it will continue to be one fine festival.
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