Saxophonist Guido Spannocchi’s weekly residency at the Bloomsbury Club is quietly one of London’s finest ongoing organ trio gigs. Featuring Pete Whittaker on Crumar organ and Alfonso Vitale on drums, the group played varied repertoire including bebop standards, Latin tunes, and even flashes of acid jazz. From burning arrangements of ‘There is No Greater Love’ and ‘Spring is Here’ to an unexpectedly funky ‘Love for Sale’, the band took creative risks with tight cohesion.
Spannocchi played baritone saxophone last night in a surprising but delightful choice. To me, bebop on the bari always evokes the great Pepper Adams. Spannocchi rose to that expectation with authority, delivering high-velocity melodic language for chorus after chorus on the big horn. It was a masterful showing of power and grace.
Pete Whittaker impressed all night with a free, hard-swinging left hand reminiscent of Groove Holmes, while his right hand navigated bebop and beyond, touching on the stylings of Jimmy Smith, Don Patterson, and even Larry Young. Yet the sound is all his own—a combination of technical freedom and stylistic authenticity with melody and dynamic expression that speak directly to the listener. It’s no wonder he’s regarded as one of London’s finest B3 players.
Alfonso Vitale’s playing left me stunned. While his sense of time and touch might initially recall Kenny Clarke, his sound quickly emerged as something else entirely. He brought tight swing, remarkable subtlety, and deep emotional sensitivity to his comping, but it was his solos that truly stood out. His brushwork, in particular, was innovative in its modern and minimal texture, melodic sensibility, and challenging rhythmic displacement. It’s something I need to hear again—and soon.
The Bloomsbury Club itself provides a perfect backdrop for the music. Tucked into an elegant, wood-panelled cellar lounge with intimate seating and specialty cocktails, it brings an air of 1940s sophistication to the gig. Spannocchi’s trio plays every Saturday from 9 PM to midnight, with occasional lineup changes and guest appearances from players like Tom Ollendorff, Billy Pod, and more. For fans of bebop and organ jazz alike, it’s a memorable show you won’t want to miss.
The Bloomsbury Club is at 16-22 Great Russell St, London WC1B 3NN. Admission is free but booking is recommended.
