Clare Teal: Going by the book to sing and share the joys of spring

Rehearsals took place at the Bull's Head, in Barnes, London, a famous venue which recently celebrated 50 years of live music. The very walls drip with jazz tradition, and some of the greatest players in the world have graced its stage.

Remarkably, at the 50th birthday bash, the legendary sax man, Vic Ash, played a tune or two. Vic, who is 80, has led his own group since the mid-50s. He has worked with Bing Crosby, Peggy Lee, Jack Jones, Tony Bennett, Liza Minelli, Ella Fitzgerald and, for 20 years, with Frank Sinatra. He was also, until recently, a member of the BBC Big Band. Fittingly, Vic was the first headline act ever to play at the Bull's Head, back in 1959.

Taking a brand new show on tour is both extremely exciting and extremely stressful. There is an inevitable period of mourning for the old show

– I miss the slickness and familiarity, but these comforting auto-pilot feelings are compensated for by the sense of achievement when everything starts coming together.

The initial set list has already changed approximately 209 times since last Wednesday, and a close-up of the arrangements will reveal much red pen and many arrows.

Fear not, by the time we get to Manchester, Leeds and Scotland, we'll be up to full speed.

Researching the Great British Songbook from 1900 to 1960 has been a fascinating experience not dissimilar to mining for gold, and if I ever have the time, I'd love to write a book about it.

Guess I'll just add that thought to the list of things to do when I retire – that said, it seems jazzers never retire.

Other items on the "Autumn of my days" agenda include going on holiday, growing vegetables, talking Italian, drinking and collecting wine (already practising that one), developing my whisky and cognac palette (and that one), mastering my slow cooker and having a dog.