James Pearson piano, Silas Somogyi bass, Stephen Keogh drums

The pianist James Pearson is a true institution in London, the city where he works as a jazz and concert musician, with the BBC Concert Orchestra, among others, as well as being artistic director of the historic Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club. From the capital of the United Kingdom, Pearson has become one of the most sought-after session pianists in the country. His long list of collaborations includes concerts and/or recordings with Johnny Griffin, Wynton Marsalis, Imelda May and even Rufus Wainwright, Jeff Beck and Paul McCartney. Besides his facet as a session player, Pearson has also provided the music for BBC landscape documentary about the British capital. The secret of his versatility? A style in which, according to the Sunday Times, “the harmony of Messiaen blends with the pulsing rhythm of George Shearing”.