2007 to 2009 - The Peak Years

After over five years since returning to its original trio format, the Hot Club was one of the most popular local bands on the Nottingham scene, and we continued to expand our repertoire and our gig list.

Sometimes we would have guest artists appear with us, including Ben Holder on violin, Mike Turner on clarinet, and later Ben Martin on saxophone; but the core trio played the bulk of the gigs, mostly to packed local venues and an increasing variety of private and corporate function gigs.

 As ever for me personally, my musical hero continued to be Bireli Lagrene, who released more great albums during these years.