26/2/2026

A close encounter with a Doxey Box is always an uplifting experience, especially when it turns out the band is evolving, maturing and become ever more entertaining.

Of course there is only ONE Doxey Box – the remarkable band conceived by singer, composer and band leader Ana Gracey along with saxophonist Luiza Lale. But it has undergone subtle change since we first saw the Box unwrapped at such venues as the Pizza Express Soho and Sound Lounge in Sutton.

The same humour, passion and sheer musicianship remain. The band members are much the same. But there is a relaxed air about their performance levels and some of the cool authority of seasoned jazz players pervades the mix of styles that makes the Box so…well Doxey.

They certainly warmed up the audience at the Pheasantry, Kings Road, Chelsea on a damp, chilly February night. They cheered during the band’s two sets and laughed along with Ana’s jokes and observations when she introduced both the songs and her loyal Doxey Box cohorts.

COOL ACTION

As I drank wine and demolished a Pizza I had good view of the band, although I would have preferred to be sat on the other side of the stage, where I could actually see the drummer in action. Whoever it was behind the kit was really cool and the snare drum in particular had a great response. (We drummers appreciate these things).

But in compensation I was treated to seeing Ru Lemer close up on the keyboards playing with a dexterity and passion that complemented the songs, whatever the mood and style.

The first number was a heartfelt song highlighting the perils of the climate crisis and of motoring in heavy traffic with cries of ‘Beep beep get out of the way!’ protesting at the fumes seeping ‘under my door’. Its funky electric piano tick-over was driven into top gear by Phil Mulford’s nimble bass guitar, always in control but never over steering, if you’ll forgive the motoring metaphors.

Their second song was delivered in ¾ time with a fine saxophone solo from Ana’s song writing partner Luiza Lale while Ru switched to grand piano. Thence came that powerful number that keeps us all grounded ‘Gravity’ followed by the slow, funky blues ‘Helluva Day’ sung with great passion by Ana and driven by back beat drums in cohesion with Phil’s solid bass.

THE RULES DON’T APPLY

A subsequent song ‘The Rules Don’t Apply To Me’ that Ana explained was about her school days, drew laughter from old friends in the audience. Apparently her antics lead to the Head Mistress issuing a detention order to a friend who had engaged in ‘Suspicious behaviour’.

One of my favourites was ‘Turn Up And Turn On’ with nimble electric keyboarding and a distinctive alto sax motif. All this led to a splendid outing from the rhythm section with dancing snare and bass drums kicked into play by Annie Mumford (as I later found out) and a Mulford (no relation) bass solo to boot.

Ana sang ‘Keep On Moving’, a new track inspired by the Northern Soul dance movement of yore and there was much encouragement from front row Doxey fans. But Ana was in more reflective mood in the second set when she embraced the ballad ‘Don’t Say I Told You So’ with an outstanding vocal performance. Luiza also drew cheers for her extended alto sax solo on ‘Money Honey’ the audience double-clapping along to the beat.

We were invited to join the band by shouting ‘Black Sheep!’ during the song of the same name with Ana counting them all in to be herded along by another Phil Mulford baa-ss solo.

‘Grace Kelly’ a highlight of Ana’s Wicked Games 2019 solo album proved a special treat when father and son Peter and Ru Lemer sat together on the piano stool to play the theme.

Would there be an encore? Yes indeed and the Pheasantry basement rocked with an exuberant ‘Ready, Steady Go!’ a cheerful ditty launched with a great rhythmic riff.

It was the end of the show and everyone scrambled from their tables to bestow congratulations on Ana, Luiza, Phil, Annie, Ru and Peter for yet another Doxey Box triumph. CHRIS WELCH

 P.S. Later I finally discovered the secret of Ms. Mumford’s outstanding snare drum sound. Annie sports a Ludwig Supraphonic, the King of Snare Drums – as played by John Bonham with Led Zeppelin. Bonzo would have been proud of her.