It's been so long since Nat King Cole’s younger brother visited London that we’d forgotten what a fine singer-pianist and bandleader he is. Though not blessed with the velveteen baritone that made Nat a millionaire, Freddy’s voice sounds similarly warm and his phrasing is every bit as laid-back.

Last night’s faultlessly paced performance exuded class, not least in that he did not refer to his superstar brother until the very end of his opening set.

Broad-shouldered and fit-looking in his well-cut suit, he perched side-saddle at the piano, half-turned to the audience with his greying head raised high.

Beaming paternally at us, he eased into a selection of quality standards, directing his quartet with almost invisible hand signals.

I Remember You sounded fresh because of the rarely heard verse that preceded it, and buried treasures such as If I Love Again, I See Your Face Before Me and You Leave Me Breathless were even more welcome for being so seldom performed.
Singing only a notch louder than the band, he sounded utterly relaxed, even on tricky Michel Legrand numbers (I Will Wait For You, How Do You Keep the Music Playing?). Everything seemed simple, but of course if that were true everybody could do it. Enhancing these skilful vocals were tasteful solos by young guitarist Randy Napoleon. Behind him, bassist Elias Bailey and drummer Curtis Boyd were unobtrusively steady.

Only after a bluesy tribute to Freddy’s hometown, Southside Chicago, came the medley of Nat Cole hits — Straighten Up and Fly Right, Sweet Lorraine, Mona Lisa, Nature Boy, Unforgettable — performed with panache and without imitation.
The biggest cheer, though, was for an original lyric that went: “His name was Nat, and mine is Fred/We looked alike, or so it’s said/ I’m glad he got where he wanted to be/But I’m not my brother — I’m just me!”
Tonight (0845 602 7017)