When a quest soloist is playing with a house band who may be unfamiliar, it is undoubtedly unfair to judge the music too harshly at first. Jazz is a co-operative event that at its best requires the musicians involved to have some familiarity with each other's playing, though the best in the game can overcome this with significant speed. At the opening of the first set, the Spin house band where evidently unsettled as guest saxophonist, Italian Renato D'Aiello, launched into a long free-form number on soprano. Nevertheless, as he had only got to the club about half an hour before the doors opened, excluding any rehearsal time, it was remarkable how swiftly all four players did manage to settle into the music after a few standards.

A second thought is how a very familiar ballad can be the greatest test of a solo player. D'Aiello has a highly dramatic manner of playing and a willingness to take risks which can make it seem as if he is overstretching himself; thus when he launched into Ellington's In a Sentimental Mood in the second set he placed himself on the critical block. The result was a breathtaking performance in which he displayed a stunning range of expression, infallible control over the instrument and a true feeling for the melody itself. He is a restless attacking player who uses not only the full, extended, range of the instrument but also a much wider dynamic variety than many other saxophonists. Linked with a technique that allows him to play at scorching speed and accuracy, the result was jazz of outstanding colour and excitement.

It was a pleasure to hear Luis D'Agostino standing in for Pete Oxley on guitar. He is a player with a superbly smooth and textured style. It was also good to see the return of Mark Doffman after travels in India. His wide knowledge allowed him to stay with D'Aiello when the saxophonist lifted the music away from recognisable boundaries.

Once again the Spin has been nominated for the Parliamentary Jazz Awards and, as the other two nominations are clubs in London, this Oxford phenomenon will continue, whoever wins the award, to be the best jazz club outside London.