Paul
Edis (piano) Mick Shoulder (bass) Adam Sinclair (drums)
(Review by
Kath Jobes)
This was the first of a regular spot for the
Paul Edis Trio, 2nd Friday of the month, and if this evening’s set was anything
to go by, it will be a good night out!
This was my second sojourn to the recently re-opened and refurbished
Jazz Cafe and after the initial shock of the changes it’s beginning to grow on
me, I particularly like the sheet music wallpapered onto the stairwell, a much
brighter feel now, and the ambience is growing
as a small appreciative audience settles in… a work in progress… yes
indeed.
Monks Dream Set us away
with a lively start, and set the tone for the evening… this tight trio
regularly features 4s between the members so everyone gets a chance to shine…
and shine they did. After the first
number the front of the piano came off, and suddenly we had a brighter sound as
Oscar Peterson’s version of Moten Swing
rung out through the room, and an intricate bass solo from Mick Shoulder warmed
his fingers up for the next number –Bill Evan’s
Funkallero, described in the
real book as an upbeat swing… this was a superfast interpretation with a
terrific drum intro from Adam Sinclair. Bluesette and One Note Samba came next with another brilliant Drum Solo from
Sinclair. I’m Old Fashioned was a soft and gentle contrast, with
an exquisite bass solo. I could listen to this bass all night. The last number of the set was another Bill
Evans number, Peri’s Scope …and
really showed off the nimble fingers of both pianist and bass player
–tremendous!
The second set commences with Edis on playing Yesterdays, the elaborate improvisation
included a phrase from Stella by
Starlight and boy does this robin sing!
Ruth Lambert was then welcomed to centre stage to feature for a couple
of songs, firstly another of my favourites… West
Coast Blues, and then a wickedly naughty interpretation of Santa Baby, gutsy but cheeky… we need to
see more of this lovely singer…. Don’t worry Ruth, I won’t tell the readers
that you were in your jeans… a lovely long flowing dress… well maybe next time?
Cy Coleman’s Witchcraft
once more featured that lovely bass and 4s before fading away
beautifully. A Paul Edis original – Mr Hipster had a rhythmic start moving
into a medium swing, before returning to the rhythmic ending… if you want to
hear it, it’s on his latest CD… definitely worth buying folks. Next came a piano tribute to the late Stan
Tracy who passed away earlier this week, Body
and Soul… Edis really showed his skill as key changes gave depth and beauty
to this piece… a pleasure to listen to and it brought a tear to the eye of Joan
Parker who was one of Tracy
The mood continued as the trio moved on to play
Duke Ellington’s In a Mellow Tone,
which brought forth reminiscences from Dave and Joan Parker, as they remembered
their old friend playing this in Darlington with Roy Babbington on Bass and
Clark Tracy on Drums… good times. The
final number of the night was Monk’s Rhythm-a-
Ning, a dazzling end to an excellent night of Jazz.
Kath J.
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