Laura Klain: Live at Pizza Express

Drummer Laura Klain brought her adept ensemble to Pizza Express Live and wowed the crowd.

Garnett, Morabito and Klain

Laura manages her time between Italy, London and world travel with her amazingly inventive drumming. It was a pleasure to see her with her trio - Alex Garnett (tenor sax) and Lorenzo Morabito (double bass).

The trio performed a mixture of original tunes and standards, with one of the most moving and brilliant performances of Lover Man I have ever heard. Garnett’s controlled tune and inventive improvisation combine with his pure tone, while Morabito’s bass can establish a groove or improvise solos with aplomb.

A miriad of combinations of sax, bass and drums brought the sparseness of a trio to life that was genuinely captivating.

These three extraordinary musicians swapping phrases and move melodies between each other, listening and responding to each other with dexterity and finesse.

I’m a sucker for a jazz waltz and I’d never heard Frank Rosolino’s Blue Daniel before: I’ve added it to my list to learn. Finishing with McCoy Tyner’s Blues on the Corner - another less well-known standard - the trio brought a wonderfully intimate evening to a subtle close.

Find out where you can catch Laura Klain live