Jo Harrup and the Paul Edis Trio @ The Cherry Tree

Jo Harrup (vcl), Paul Edis (pno), Mick Shoulder (bs), Rob Walker (dms) + J.C. Caddy (dms).

Another evening of sheer class - and I don't just mean the Dandelion and Bacon salad with the Crispy Hen's Egg, succulent as it was.

No, I refer to the musical offerings by the Paul Edis Trio and the lass from Chester-le-St via Chelsea - Jo Harrup.

Paul set the tone of things with a swinging Secret Love that told the golden daffodils as well as the Cherry Tree Faithful - of whom there were many - that Jo Harrup was going to attempt to get on stage whilst perched dangerously high on heels only marginally lower than the Empire State.

Jo succeeded and, wearing a shift with a hem far above sea-level, she opened up with They Can't Take That Away From Me. An inconspicuous start as the protagonists sounded each other out like two prizefighters in the opening round of a title bout.

My Romance saw it all fall into place and Bewitched did just that to the audience - it was game on.

Cheek To Cheek swung, Masquerade cajoled, All The Things You Are sighed and Just One of Those Things was anything but. In fact 'Things' with its a capella introduction was the highlight of a very high first set.

To give you an idea of how classy the Cherry Tree is - you don't get chips you get frites and you don't get Lloyd Webber you get Rodgers and Hart with Cole Porter on the side. That is class!

The frites went down well with my Bavette steak and R and H, who had already been well represented in the first set (My Romance, Bewitched), gave Jo the ammunition for as fine a version of It Never Entered My Mind - this side of Peggy Lee.

Jo's hubby, J.C. Caddy, sat in for a couple on drums and Cole Porter had his moment when Jo sang Too Darn Hot. Just as well there was ice cream on the menu!

Lullaby of Birdland swung and the encore - Every Time We Say Goodbye - was an idyllic moment that silenced the room - until the rapturous applause that is.

Throughout, Paul played superb piano ably supported by Mick and Rob.

Another fine Monday evening at the Cherry Tree - long may it continue - jazz fans are welcome!

Photos.

Lance.