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Jazz guitarist Nigel Price brought his hard-touring Organ Trio—featuring organist Ross Stanley and drummer Joel Barford—to a packed house at Ronnie Scott’s on September 17, 2026.
Endorsed by Fibonacci Guitars, Price demonstrated the tight melodic clarity, improvisational trust, and road-tested group dynamics that come from years of non-stop UK touring.
Reviewing the show for UK Jazz News, critic Sebastian Scotney highlighted the trio’s command of the organ-trio tradition, seamless stagecraft, and deep reverence for jazz icons.
Performance Highlights: Heavy Grooves & Tribute Solos
- High-Octane Rhythms: Drummer Joel Barford took center stage during a standout performance of “Chonky,” showcasing powerful drive and dynamic phrasing.
- Joey DeFrancesco Tribute: Organist Ross Stanley delivered a sweeping, room-shaking solo Hammond organ feature on Ray Charles’s “You Don’t Know Me,” honoring the late jazz organ legend Joey De Francesco.
- Guitar Mastery: Price opened “Make Someone Happy” with an intricate solo guitar intro, evoking the chord-melody influence of Martin Taylor and Wes Montgomery.
- Tributes to the Giants: Throughout the set, Price paid homage to legendary influences including Wes Montgomery, Shirley Scott, George Benson, B.B. King, and Ray Charles.
The Power of the Road-Tested Trio
“When a band gets to the point of being as well-toured and as well-travelled as the Nigel Price Organ Trio, the quality, clarity and strength of the music all show the benefit… The trust, the sixth sense, the listening are all at a level which can only be achieved by having played and toured to the extent that they have.”
— Sebastian Scotney, UK Jazz News
On Stage & On the Road
Reflecting on the sold-out London show, Price noted that returning to the Ronnie Scott’s stage felt like a true homecoming. With their current momentum, the trio continues to demonstrate why they remain one of the most vital, hard-swinging live acts on the modern European jazz circuit.
- Original Source: For full coverage and further tour updates, visit UK Jazz News.
