Vanessa Haynes: Live at Watford Palace Theatre

Saturday night saw the gala night to kick off the Watford Jazz Junction Music Festival that runs across the town from 10-18 May. Singer Vanessa Haynes presented her selection of Aretha Franklin favourites with an impressive 10-piece band. Opening the night - and the whole festival - was singer Harry T Pope, with his talented young band.

While Pope focused on a number of engaging and heart-felt originals (plus Stevie Wonder's Superstition) Haynes produced fabulous personal renditions of Franklin classics including Chain Of Fools, Respect and I Say A Little Prayer. Best arrangement of the night goes to Vanessa and her backing vocalists Mary, Chloe and Belle accompanied by pianist Tom O'Grady on (You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman.

Alongside Haynes vocals and Wurlitzer piano, her band was right on point throughout the show: Tom O’Grady (piano and Hammond), Tiago Coimbra (bass), Al Cherry (guitar), Martyn Kaine (drums), Sam Ewens (trumpet), Paul Booth (tenor sax and flute), Mary Pearce, Chloe Du Pré and Belle Erskine (backing vocals). These are some of the big names in British jazz and it was a great opportunity to hear some of the solos and sectional work - particularly Booth's occasional flute.

As well as the live music, there were wrap-around DJ sets from One Jazz, the new 24/7 global online jazz radio network, while introductions were made by One Jazz and Jazz FM's Ruth Fisher and Chris Phillips.

Chris Newstead. organiser of the Festival, was delighted that Hayne's show was supported by Pope and his band: "Having Harry T Pope here to open the festival on the main stage at Watford Palace Theatre is not just a thrill, but it's what we're all about here at Watford Jazz Junction. For the fourth year on the trot we've had Ruth Fisher and Chris Phillips be with us to be with us and be Masters and Mistresses of Ceremonies and they set the tone for the whole Festival. They are incredible champions of jazz across the UK and what greater joy could we have than having them here."

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