Musician: Pete Wareham (saxophone)

Today was one of those days at Bridgeside Lodge where the energy felt really fizzy and joyful. Maybe it was the Christmas decorations, maybe it was just the atmosphere. Who knows! But everyone seemed on top form.

Ms GH was in fine voice for Autumn Leaves, JC’s guitar playing was as sparkly as his smile as we explored St. Louis Blues, JB interrupted one of her multicoloured heart drawings to listen to My Little Suede Shoes with her wide eyes and huge smile.

Speaking of huge smiles, it was the first time we had played for Ms JBL in quite a while and her smile has grown so wide since then! She just seems to be more and more present every time I see her.

I was playing with double bassist Liran Donin who was visiting for only the third time but he’s settling in extremely well – his joyful and patient energy puts everyone at ease, and his playing is so fluent and flexible we can go anywhere we want.

Just before we played Sophisticated Lady I was about to suggest to Ms SR that it might have been written for her but she beat me to it. Luckily she didn’t know the lyrics though – they’re pretty dark! After we played it she said it was the best performance we’ve ever given for her, so we must be doing something right. Or maybe the Christmas decorations were clouding her judgement.