Lewis Watson Quartet @ The Cherry Tree. Monday March 26.

Lewis Watson (ten); Paul Edis (pno); Paul Susans (bs); Rob Walker (dms).
Photo courtesy of Jerry Edis.

The Cherrytree is evolving into a really excellent jazz venue. Somehow it has managed to combine being a very good restaurant with presenting the best of regional (and sometimes national) jazz musicians. 

For some reason,. much to its credit, it has become the favoured location in which to hear the elusive and excellent Lewis Watson and last night he was with Paul Edis, Paul Susans and Rob Walker. Although the advertising said the Lew Watson Quartet, I was very pleased to see that it was Lewis who was actually playing. I'm not sure if this was a rebranding exercise or a cunning disguise but I don't think it works. It's a bit like talking about Johnnie Coltrane...I last heard Lewis and Paul play together in an improvised session during the day long gig at the Lit and Phil last year and they really do play well together. The beauty about the Cherrytree is that for the jazz fan, you get to hear great undiluted jazz, and both Lewis and Paul were playing excellently and very well supported by Paul and Rob. While at the same time, those who are only interested in the food carry on regardless but without disrupting the music. Last night there were at least two tables where people chatted away oblivious to the music, while the rest of us feasted on some great jazz.

The other thing I like is that most of the time the musicians just play and don't engage in long conversations with the audience. In fact I think the only comment made by Lewis all night was a laconic 'No' when an innocent member of the audience asked if he played requests. Sadly, circumstances out of my control meant I had to leave before the end so I never did hear if he played Greensleeves.

JC