The Trevor Watkis quintet played a rare gig at the Pizza Express Jazz Club in London the night before last, the pianist's introduction establishing what turned out to be an easy-going, friendly atmosphere, continued by the band’s stage presence. The audience, though relatively small, encouraged the band through a single two-hour set.

The band played mostly Watkis’ compositions, including tracks from his debut album as a leader, Straight Ahead… Ride For Tone and tunes written for the short film, Sonny’s Blues, including ‘Sonny’s Lament,’ ‘With Substance,’ and ‘In Case You Did.’

Vibraphonist Anthony Kerr’s burning solos were a highlight of the night, outshining both Watkis and saxophonist Nathaniel Facey, both of whom seemed to take a while to warm up. Facey finally came into his own on the group’s rendition of Duke Ellington’s ‘Solitude’ with a bluesy bebop solo over several choruses, and Watkis’ best solos also came late in the set. ‘Solitude’ seemed to inspire the entire band into a jam session feel that worked in their favour and took out the edge of concert tension that had worked its way almost imperceptibly into the playing.

As well as individual solos, several tunes featured a chorus or two of group improvisation, which added to the modal, post-bop feel of Watkis’ compositions but otherwise were not so interesting. However, they did allow bassist Dave Chamberlain and drummer Winston Clifford a little more solo time in addition to the one individual solo from each player. Both Chamberlain and Clifford seemed content to provide a solid backdrop for the piano, saxophone, and vibes, with a particularly strong Latin groove. The set ended with Watkis’ composition ‘Apartment 17,’ which turned out to be one of the highest energy points in what was otherwise a fairly relaxed evening of jazz.

– Nivedita Sarnath