While better known as the owner of England’s most famous jazz club, this cd reminds us that Ronnie Scott was also the most important tenor saxist in the UK, possessing a warm tone and dna-imbedded sense of lyricism that is richly captured on this 1974 recording of him in an organ trio setting with Mike Carr/B3 and Bobby Gein/dr.
The team feels relaxed as they swing through “A Blues” with Scott in wanderlust for “Stella By Starlight.” Carr hums like a V8 during “On A Clear Day” and the team sizzles on “Lou’s Piece.” Scott switches over to soprano sax for a rare treat, giving a glorious rendition of “What’s New” and a languid “Angel Eyes” with the entire evening brimming over with style, class and sophisticated swing. Echoes of an era sadly missed.