God is in the house. Paul Edis Trio @ Cherry Tree Restaurant.

Paul Edis (pno); Mick Shoulder (bs); Adam Sinclair (dms).

According to legend, Art Tatum walked into a club and Fats Waller stopped playing and said, "God is in the house." He may well have done although, equally, he could have said, "Gordon's on the house" suggesting that the bartender give him a free shot of his favourite tipple.

That's as maybe but tonight, after Paul Edis' rendition of Tatum's version of Tea For Two, maybe he will acquire the accolade of the ultimate deity. It was an outstanding performance in an evening of outstanding performances both on the stand and in the kitchen - God was certainly in the kitchen tonight - how else could my Slow Cooked Shoulder of Pork, Mustard Mash and Red Cabbage have tasted so good?

The set opened with They All Laughed and I began the evening with Confit Pear and Celeriac Tarts, Pear and Vanilla Puree. 
How High The Moon, Corcovado, Alice in Wonderland, The Preacher, The Nearness of You and It Had To Be You all part of the build-up to the Tatumesque explosion.  

Later, Paul "premièred" an original composition, Cherry Tree Blues in honour of the popular restaurant. He should compose one for the chef - not a blues but a variation on Ode To Joy which my  Clementine Jelly, Spiced Apple Sorbet.surely was.

Adam Sinclair, who played so well with Simon Spillett last Thursday, maintained his good form tonight keeping it swinging and exchanging some exciting fours with Paul. Mick, as ever, laid back, cool and absolutely rock solid without being rigid - a great trio.

I couldn't stay to the very end but that in no way reflects on the music which was superb.

Lance.