Paul Edis/Roly Veitch Quartet @ Blaydon Jazz Club

Paul Edis (pno), Roly Veitch (gtr), Neil Harland (bs), Billy Shield (dms).

Another one of those charming miniatures that Roly Veitch so expertly puts together.

Last month it was the trio with Noel Dennis & Neil Harland, This time around a quartet co-led with Paul Edis with Neil on bass and Billy Shield drums.

The room had a respectable sized crowd who listened intently to the opening "I Hear A Rhapsody". Intently was the operative word as, volumewise, Roly's amp was set on one of those low digit numbers that few guitarists know exist.

However, the dial was given a clockwise turn or two for "Dream Dancing" and at last we could hear the tasteful runs and phrases along with the well chosen chords to compliment Paul's piano.

"Jordu", "Cottontail", "Django", "Sultry Serenade" - a real gem - "Donna Lee" and "A Child is Born" were some of a well chosen selection of jazz standards along with some not unduly overdone tunes from the gasbook such as "Darn That Dream" and Jan Savitt's "It's A Wonderful World."

There were also a couple of originals from Paul - a boppy "Charlie's Line" that in places reminded me of a sailors hornpipe as played by Charlie Parker - and a more sensitive opus entitled simply "Dedicated to the Duke".

Paul was also featured on solo piano playing a cleverly interwoven medley of "Surrey with The Fringe on Top", "Blue on Green" and "'Round Midnight."

Neil Harland, as ever excelled on bass his melodic lines and steady accompaniment absolutely gelled.

On drums, Billy Shield kept it simple yet effective.

It was a good gig even though Roly didn't do any crooning - his lyrical phrasing on guitar made up for it. Photos.

Lance.

PS: Catch Roly on 29th August @ Boston Spa with Keith Stephen's Gypsy Jazz Trio.