Russ Dewbury's success lies in his ability to appeal to the jazz novice just as much as the music's aficionados.

This was the first Jazz Rooms Live session, something of a cross between Dewbury's club nights at The Jazz Rooms in Ship Street and his legendary live Jazz Bop events.

Kicking off at 9pm, Dewbury began with two hours of skilfully mixed tunes which, as always, blur the boundaries of where jazz ends and funk, soul and hip-hop begin.

Dewbury's ability to layer traditional diva vocals over a retro-electronica keyboard and a hip-hop beat is at once surprising, charming and sure to make even the most self-conscious audience member start tapping their toe.

LA-based septet The Rebirth headlined the night, playing a 90-minute live set of progressive and traditional soul, hip-hop, acid jazz and funk.

With members of Breakestra, The Black Eyed Peas and Plantlife, the quintessential soul band performed a vibrant set of upbeat and downtempo tracks.

Many of their songs comprised tightly bound soul lyrics and harmonies followed by musical interludes where the musicians slipped and slid all over the structured melody for a moment of spectacular jazz ingenuity and then reined it all back in again to proceed with the next verse or chorus.

The harmonies were spot on and the band seemed to revel in each other's company, constantly engaging with both band members and the audience.

With influences such as Earth, Wind And Fire, Roy Ayers and the Young Disciples it is easy to see why this band has a winning formula for any live jazz event.

My only criticism of the night is that it could have done with a few more people in the audience. While Komedia is much larger than The Jazz Rooms, it is by no means a huge venue and it felt as though we were struggling to fill it sufficiently.

I suspect the fact the event was held midweek put more than a few people off which meant Dewbury's earlier set was wasted in many senses, because it was too quiet for people to dance.

I would ask Mr Dewbury and Komedia if they could hold the next Jazz Rooms Live on a weekend and I'll be there with knobs on.