It was third time lucky for Courtney Pine last night at the Pizza Express Jazz Club in London as he completed the second night of a short residency having played the club for the first time in 2007 during the Jazzwise To The Power of Ten festival.

But the man’s commanding presence is felt in other ways, as that famous Pizza Express artwork on the wall behind pianist Zoe Rahman to the left of the bandstand was inspired, he told the capacity audience someone had told him, by the image adorning Pine’s debut album, Journey To The Urge Within, just reissued.

Opening with ‘Haiti’ from the latest album Transition In Tradition and spending most of the set on bass clarinet, also playing soprano saxophone, and flute, increasingly as the set progressed, Pine was joined by the Joanne Brackeen-influenced Rahman, stalwart guitarist Cameron Pierre, violin star Omar Puente, a highly rhythmic Darren Taylor on bass, and Courtney Pine Band mainstay Robert Fordjour on drums.

One feature of the evening was a joyous tribute to Sir John Dankworth, beginning with a reclaimed death march variant and then free wheeling to almost warp speed. Another highlight was ‘The Tale of Joe Harriott’ a tender narrative with nuanced sections, carefully arranged.

A masterclass in blowing and communication (with great bass clarinet tone and control, and musical personality throughout), the band at times had no alternative but to just watch Courtney soar, as he approached lift-off a few times, when the above- register harmonics and backing piano and guitar vamps combined to form a kind of organic loop. It’s as if he wants to break through the barrier to create a new music with almost every solo. Ostensibly a tribute to Sidney Bechet, the evening had much to offer and was at its most meditative when there was an acoustic flute-led “folk mass” feel.

Word has it that Courtney is working on a new studio album. For the time being there’s a new download-only album Courtney Pine Band Live recorded at the Albany Empire; and the reissued Journey To The Urge Within with extra tracks is a must.

– Stephen Graham