Judith Owen’s Bush Hall concert was a reminder of why she has earned such respect across the jazz and blues scene. Performing on June 1 to a sold-out London audience, she brought confidence, class and warmth to a venue that suited her perfectly.
The two-set show gave Owen space to explore her latest album Suit Yourself while still including material from elsewhere in her catalogue. Early songs pulled the audience quickly into the rhythm of the evening, while the second set opened strongly with “Blueskies” and later featured “Spooky,” a clear highlight for many in the room.
Owen’s vocal control was impressive, but her wider performance skills were just as important. She led from the piano, guided the band with ease and spoke to the crowd with humour and openness. Her musicians supported her superbly, creating a rich live sound that moved from groove to ballad and back again.
As the concert closed with “Hotstuff,” the crowd’s response confirmed the success of the night. Judith Owen did more than play songs from a new album; she created an atmosphere, shared stories and gave Bush Hall a show to remember.
