Being a European artist of global stature (he's from Norway, but in jazz geography that's central Europe), Jan Garbarek was a popular choice of headliner at the 15th annual London Jazz Festival. Admirers of his beautiful ECM albums were not disappointed.

Tall, slim and more Draculesque than ever with his sunken cheeks, widow's peak and grey sidewings, Garbarek led a virtuosic quartet by example. He didn't say a word, leaving the talking to the majestic, ethereal, impassioned voice of his tenor and curved-soprano saxes. At one point he produced a penny whistle and sounded charismatic even on that.

Though very measured, Garbarek likes exotic drummers (remember Marilyn Mazur?) and the sparky Franco-African Manu Katche suited him perfectly. Replacing longtime bassist Eberhard Weber was Yuri Daniel, a laid-back South American whose fretless five-string bass-guitar sang with a distinct Jaco Pastorius accent. Indeed, several numbers recalled Weather Report, with Rainer Bruninghaus quite Zawinul-ish in his synth settings. As ever, Bruninghaus played scintillating synth and piano solos without a flicker of emotion on his bishop-like features but Daniel's solos were the only longeurs of an intense twohour set. He's a fine player but not in Weber's league in the loopy game of solo self-sampling.

We All Love Ella, an all-star vocal tribute to Ella Fitzgerald, was Friday's RFH highlight. Introduced by dramatist Bonnie Greer, nine singers paid tribute to that great artist - some, including Lizz Wright, Jamelia, Juliet Roberts and Melody Gardot, a little too reverently. Ella exuded energy, a factor better recalled by dynamic Claire Martin and the irrepressible Lea DeLaria. The well-drilled big band behind them was boosted by that dependable guitarist Mitch Dalton and the celestial strings of the BBC Concert Orchestra, whose spine-tingling first entry was a tribute to the hall's superb new acoustics.

It was left to New York trumpeter Sean Jones and his amazing rhythm section (Brian Hagans, Luques Curtis and Obed Calvaire on piano, bass and drums) to remind everyone at the Pizza Express club on Saturday that without its urban black input, jazz would soon suffer terminal anaemia.

• Until 25 November. Information: londonjazzfestival.org.uk.