All That Jazz arrives at the Queens

It’s been a long-held ambition to establish a top-notch jazz club at the Queens Hotel …

And now that dream has become reality with the launch of the Royal Jazz Club.

The launch event had everything – from the warmest of welcomes at the door to the candlelit glow in the room – and world class music straight from the renowned Ronnie Scott’s in Soho.

The food was sublime – a feast for the eye and full of flavour. Delivered with flair by the waiting team who seemed to be enjoying being part of such a spectacular inaugural event.

And then there was the music …

Portsmouth singing legend Amba Tremain got us all in the mood for a wonderful evening with her set and then provided the perfect welcome for the headline performance by Natalie Williams and her Soul Band.

A stalwart of Ronnie Scott’s, Natalie’s star quality shone through from the outset. A Stevie Wonder classic got the show on the road and was quickly followed by tongue twisting Águas de março classic Waters of March.

Sign Your Name – Terrence Trent D’Arby’s hit – had everyone singing along and Natalie’s rendition of the Nina Simone classic Ain’t Got No/I Got Life brought the room to their feet.

It was a virtuoso performance that was a joy to behold – and those who were there for the very first Royal Jazz Club will speak of it for years to come.

At the start of the evening, the Editor in Chief of the Portsmouth News Mark Waldron was adamant he wouldn’t be dancing – and yet by the end he was shaking a leg with the best of ‘em.

It was that kind of night …

Kate Thompson, Southsea Lifestyle