Jazz. Nice.

Wynton Marsalis in encore mode. Someone I've wanted to see play for a long time, so seeing at the start of the week that there were still tickets available for the Jazz at the Lincoln Centre Orchestra at the Usher Hall, it was something of a no-brainer.

Scottish star-studded too. Ian Rankin wandering up to the Grand Circle on the opposite side of the stairwell to us, then the surprise appearance on stage of Nicola Benedetti for a Marsalis-written piece, before she re-appeared afterwards in the Grand Circle, and almost walked into us at the end of the show.

Of more interesting personal note, however, was seeing friends Phil and Julie there (a quick call to Phil before the show started telling him to turn round making contact) and heading out for a couple of welcome cocktails at a new place with much chat about the Tour de France, holidays and, naturally, jazz.

Nice.