The leader played his trademark style - lyrical and forceful, expressive and concise - embodying tradition, yet always moving forward with a voice entirely his own.

He was in good company; completing the quintet were drummer Gene Calderazzo, bassist Geoff Gascoigne, pianist Bernardo Sassetti and saxophonist Perico Sambeat from the United States, Britain, Portugal and Italy respectively.

'The wonderful thing about this band is that you can't understand a word any of them say,' observed Barker, but conversation was clearly unnecessary.

The rapport between Barker and Sambeat was striking on the twin horn passages, as was the connection between Gascoigne's bass and Calderazzo's cymbals and skins.

Sassetti's taste as a pianist is impeccable and the authority of his playing striking in such a young musician. And as well as stretching out impressively on his own solos his accompaniment brought out the best in the horn players, particularly for Sambeat on Crazy She Calls Me and for Barker on You've Changed.

Other high points included Barker's tribute to Duke Ellington's great trumpeter Rex Stewart, Oh Mr Rex, and a growling New Orleans-style interpretation of Mona Lisa which Nat King Cole would probably not have recognised, but of which, as a jazzman, he would probably have approved.

After two long sets Barker - who does not believe in taking things easy - closed with a fast, demanding piece by Sassetti that the band had not played for some time.

'They're all exhausted but they like taking risks,' he observed. The risk provided a great finish to the night.

The residency finishes tomorrow.