Tony Kofi and the Paul Edis Trio @ the Highfield Hotel.

Tony Kofi (alt), Paul Edis (pno), Mick Shoulder (bs), Adam Sinclair (dms).

This was my kind of music - updated Charlie Parker and then some. From the opening "Big Foot" to the closing "I Got Rhythm" this was a night to remember not only for Tony K's agile, angular, altoistics but also for the Paul Edis Trio who handled it all with aplomb despite minimal rehearsal time.

On "Star Eyes," Tony blew an extended version of the traditional Parker intro before soaring into cloudland like an uncaged Bird; freed to explore the unknown. "Milestones", not the familiar tune but an earlier piece, had some unusual twists and turns. Likewise, "Bluesette" was far removed from Toots Thielemans' concept but it worked - I think."

What definitely worked was Monk's "Ask Me Now". A beautiful ballad in its own right it should be accorded its rightful place in the gasbook. Tony did it justice - he's arguably the best frontline interpreter of Monk's music since Charlie Rouse. Charlie Rouse was on the original recording of Sonny Clark's "Melody for C" which Tony reprised here brilliantly.

In truth, despite possibly a quote or two too many, all of his solos were gems.

Mention must be made of Adam Sinclair's drumming. He caught everything that Tony threw at him in various exchanges of fours and eights and threw them right back. Personally, I thought they overdid the exchanges but even so it didn't detract from the practioners.

Paul too was on top of his game (when is he not?) and he had a particularly appealing Bachlike interlude on "Rhythm". Mick too, although not featured heavily, had some nice solo touches.

But the night belonged to Tony. At the beginning of the evening he said that he always gives 110% - he sold himself short!

Lance.