“I've seen New York’s clubs,” Courtney Pine declared, “and Ronnie Scott’s is still the biggest and the best.”

While proud to be presenting his latest band there, London’s saxophone virtuoso saluted Scott’s new management for engaging him for the first time since 1986. There’s never been a satisfactory explanation for this two-decade hiatus, during which the original Jazz Warrior has mellowed into a field-marshal, eager to give his recruits front-line experience.

Now 44, he’s a father figure and it suits him. Certainly, his 11-piece Afropeans performed with an exuberance rarely heard at the club. Every soloist played with passion, from the Cuban violinist Omar Puente to the erudite pianist Alex Wilson and sturdy baritonist Tony Kofi, while the fresh voice of Ayanna Witter Johnson, steel-pan lines of Samuel Dubois and talking, squawking trumpet of Claude Deppa scored for originality.

Young clarinettist Shabaka Hutchings and trumpeter Mark Brown — were ushered into the spotlight with particular pride by Pine, who seems to be entering a new and mature phase. Gone are the screaming, circular-breathing 20-minute histrionics that left listeners frazzled. His one feature was on bass-clarinet, whose ultra-rich sound might be his true voice.

A restrained piece of virtuosity, held together by the popping beats of the instrument’s pads, it was a masterly performance.