Al Nicholls is alway a popular attraction at the Albion and he was in top form on Monday. Recently dubbed the “UK’s top tenorman” by Blues and Rhythm magazine he fully justified this accolade with a fiery performance. Albion regulars Gerry Higgins, on bass, and Mick Hamer, on electric piano, provided the backing.

The session began with the George Gershwin standard Love is here to stay, before continuing with crowd-pleasing favourites like Christopher Columbus—which was written by fellow tenor sax player Chu Berry—and the Hoagy Carmichael evergreen Georgia.

The afternoon ended with a rousing rendition of the Duke Ellington barnstormer Caravan.