Paul Edis Trio + Graeme Wilson at The Cherry Tree, Monday 21 Sept 2009

Anyone out there missing their Monday night fix since the demise of the Side Café sessions should get themselves along to The Cherry Tree Restaurant in Jesmond for 7.30–ish Monday evenings (reservation advised then you get a downstairs table close to the musicians). Tonight’s “Jazz in Concert”, naturally, featured superb jazz (here I must declare an interest – see below), and the food was excellent, too! The two sets featured a range of standards from "Freddie Freeloader" (a favourite of mine) to the lyrical "Blame it on My Youth", via everything in between! Paul clearly enjoyed the opportunity to play a "real" piano and the band were in fine form generally, with some great solos from all concerned. The audience (every table was taken) enjoyed the music and were very responsive - especially in the second set, when most had finished dining and the musicians really did have centre-stage. The trio and Graeme were joined in the second set, for two numbers, by Nick Pride whose guitar blended beautifully with Graeme Wilson's sax in places. Nick is next up, on September 28th and Monday October 5th brings Ruth Lambert – a hat-trick of excellent entertainment. So, if you love jazz and superb food, the Cherry Tree is well worth a visit... Foot-note: there is no car-park, but nearby streets are parkable (we managed to get within 50 yards) and Osborne Road is well-served for public transport. Jerry Edis (biased about the music, but a fussy eater!!)