If anyone deserves an upgraded George Melly-esque buttonhole it’s Ms Dearies pal, Bob Dorough. This week an evening with Fran Landesman saw me Captain and bump amongst swingers and sharp tongued songstrels at the Southbank.

It takes a lot to get me off the boat but the event of his jazz cat paws on the piano was a must…more of his lovely music here.

More hoorays tho as Blossom of the petal variety beckons over the next few days with some Rivoli rosettes and a sweet pea extravaganza.

xxx

Iris, Betty Rose, Jasmine, Bluebell, Constance, Harper, Flora and Posie are just a few of the names being bandied about for Gypsy Rose Junior but it’s Blossom that seems to be getting suggested the most in our daft floral name search. Not least because we have a history with Blossom Dearie but also it’s just lovely.

Pretty apt then that this is the view from the window in our boat roof, that she is blasting out of the portholes and why I find myself in discussion with jazz cat Bob over May dates and if the late Ms Dearie herself would approve.

I reckon she, with a doobin doobin da dwee , just might…as for blooming trees, don’t you just wish they were like this all year round?

xxx

Yes it is. Even when I’m pulling out rose thorns I can hear the jingle of Jazz.

So I beebopped a bit when I got a long email from the amazingly cool Bob Dorough this week. Any man who includes a ‘hee hee’ by mail has my heart, let alone Mr D.

Saying hi and talking hippy communes in San Francisco with strict instructions to carry on the love for boats, blossom, music et chacun. We will, we will I promise.

Making my search for Gypsy wallpaper seem rather well…super lameo (in an I played with Miles Davis and you well never… piano kind of way).

Swooneroonie, here’s to the promise of tea on the boat next time you’re here.

And a top tune for a tuesday.

xxx