Ronnie Scott’s is to host the launch gig of Tate Song, the Jean Toussaint Quartet's new album with a gig at the club on 18 March.

It's Jean Toussaint’s first album for Lyte Records, and is to be released in late-February ahead of this special appearance. Tate Song will be the saxophonist's first record as a leader since Live in Paris and London was released four years ago.

Tracks are ‘Mood Mode’, ‘Mulgrew’, ‘My Dear Ruby’, ‘Rice (for CR Peppers)’, ‘Tate Song’, ‘Tunnel Vision’, the Eric Maschwitz/Jack Strachey standard ‘These Foolish Things’, ‘Vera Cruz’, and ‘Vista’.

The title of the new album, as previously reported, takes its name from Jean’s son, a talented Woody Guthrie and Townes Van Zandt-influenced folk-blues singer and guitarist.

Jean Toussaint is joined on the album and at the launch by pianist Andrew McCormack (known for his work with the Kyle Eastwood band, and with Jason Yarde in the acclaimed MY Duo); by bassist Larry Bartley (of the MOBO-nominated Woody Shaw-inspired band Lineage, and Abdullah Ibrahim's Ekaya); and by drummer Troy Miller known for his recent touring and recording as a key part of MOBO-winning singer Laura Mvula's band. Miller who initially flickered on the cognoscenti's radar on Priscilla Ometan's J Noir label with 40 Days and who has been touring recently with Roy Ayers produced the album.

St Thomas-born London-based Toussaint made his name with Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers in the 1980s appearing on such records as New York Scene (Concord) and Blue Night (Timeless), and as a leader Toussaint’s own albums include The Street Above the Undergound, which won the prestigious best album category at the first ever BBC Jazz Awards.
Jean Toussaint above photo Benjamin Amure/Lyte