Graham Hardy's 'Old' Quartet @ The Cherry Tree Restaurant.

Graham Hardy (tpt/flg), Mark Williams (gtr), Neil Harland (bs), Rob Walker (dms).

I never did get to visit New York's Hickory House or The Embers back in the 1950s but I imagine it was not unlike Jesmond's Cherry Tree.

In other words, Jazz For The Carriage Trade or Music to Dine For.

Tonight, the Graham Hardy Quartet's tour continued and, in contrast to last night's experiments in rhythm, it was back to the good old GASBOOK with some tasty morsels either side of the hypothetical footlights.

What better starter is there than Alone Together taken at a nice groove whilst waiting for a Crayfish Cocktail with Marie Rose Sauce and Lemon?

This appetiser arrived as The Quartet went into My Romance - both seduced the appropriate taste-buds leaving them craving more.

I didn't think Mercy, Mercy, Mercy quite worked. No offence guys but it isn't a tune that lends itself easily to early evening Dinner Jazz. - it is a last-setter in these situations even though it was played well.

By Contrast, The Very Thought of You, which Graham blew on Flugel, was as tender as my Loin of Pork with  Mustard Sauce, Creamed Potatoes and Paris Brown Mushrooms - Merci! Merci! Merci! to both band and chef..

The set closed with How Insensitive which could also have applied to a party of noisy Italians (or Greeks or whatever) who made their presence known.

For dessert I opted for Crème Caramel with Pineapple and Rum Soaked Raisins - yo ho ho me hearty's I felt mellow after that!

The mellowness provided a cue for The Quartet to play some Ellington opening up with Graham, once more on Flugel for In A Mellow Tone. Then he did some effective plunger work on Mood Indigo. This was his solo of the night for my money.

Take The A Train had Mark in fine form both solo-wise and 'comping. In fact the fullness of his chords made it sound like the whole Ellington band was blowing behind the soloist!

I had to reluctantly leave at this point after an evening when the Cherry Tree blossomed again (thank you Liz for texting me that quote!)
Next week it's the Paul Edis Quartet with Roly on guitar and vocals, Mick Shoulder, bass and Adrian Sinclair, drums.

Lance.