Although only in its third gig, Caius jazz has already recruited an impressive array of performers. Musicians normally only seen in top London jazz clubs turn up to play at this unlikely venue.

This is no Ronnie Scott’s. With only a few seats, most of the audience sit tightly packed on the floor around the performers’ ankles. But what it lacks in comfort, it more than makes up for in intimacy.

Hailed by JazzTimes as “the single greatest male jazz vocalist Britain has to offer”, Shaw was supported by scene veteran Trevor Tomkins on drums, talented up-and-coming guitarist Dave Preston, and students from Cambridge and the London conservatories.  Shaw’s impeccable, soulful voice was easy on the ears, and his performance was full of spontaneous wit and charm.

Even between songs Shaw was a natural entertainer, and obviously thrived in dealing with some rather strikingly ill-advised banter from the audience. For those not so rash (or full of port) to cross his self-effacing wit, however, the performance established Shaw firmly in the audience’s musical and personal affections.

The band played a wide variety of music, from jazz standards – often with amusing lyrical rewrites – to Joni Mitchell ballads, proving Shaw to be an able pianist. Preston provided some memorable solos, but 19 year old Guildhall undergradute Miguel Gorodi provided a surprise highlight in crossing the audience/performer boundary. His light-hearted trumpet solo seemed to sum up Shaw’s performance and Caius Jazz itself; unexpected, musically smooth, and uniquely personal. beth staton

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