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Women's Words, Sisters with Ineza and Alex Webb

The Toulouse Lautrec resounded to the vocals of the marvellous Ineza, alongside the Alex Webb Trio and trombonist Noushy.


Vocalist Ineza and pianist, arranger and composer Alex Webb presented a selection of songs penned by some of the greatest female songstresses. Peggy Lee, Dorothy Field, Billie Holiday and Irene Higginbottom were all featured. It truly was a celebration of a few of the women we hear from from time to time but perhaps less frequently than their male counterparts.

Alex Webb and his trio always provide a great backing and this was an evening where they were all given an opportunity to shine. As ever, the marvellous Charlie Pyne on bass and drummer Migdalia Van Der Hoven were more than a backing, particularly in their solos. Guest trombonist was Anoushka Nanguy, known as Noushy, who added a melodic element alongside Ineza's great lines.

It was my first outing to this wonderful club in South East London and I shall definitely be back. I was aware of the existence of the Toulouse Lautrec and somehow thought it was in a poky basement. Instead, the top floor of this glorious old pub just along from Elephant and Castle devotes its whole top floor to a jazz club with a proper bar and a great menu.

Although this was a night about women song writers, performed by a majority of female musicians, the quality was high and this is what London jazz should be - great musicians, regardless of their gender, performing together to a highly appreciative audience.

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Location: 140 Newington Butts, London SE11 4RG, UK

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