Johnny Deps in Crook - Paul Edis Sextet @ St. Cuthbert’s Centre, Crook, Friday June 6.

Paul Edis (Piano), Mick Shoulder (Bass), Adam Sinclair (Drums), Graeme Wilson (Tenor/Baritone Sax), Chris Hibbard (Trombone) and Johnny Dunn (Trumpet and Flugelhorn).

(Review/photo by Jerry)

“7.30 p.m., summer sun (about time) streams through the high window, nibbles are on the tables, bottled ales are flowing and a chattering Crook crowd thinks they are in for a great evening. Adam’s drums rip into Administrate This, the chattering stops and the crowd KNOW they are in for a great evening! “

 I wrote the above exactly one year ago but I make no apology for recycling it. Johnny Dunn again graced the front line, so it all still applies.

As then, the mix for the evening was: originals from the group’s first CD, There Will Be Time; originals featured on the second CD, Mr Hipster, (to be launched at Sage Gateshead on September 25) and a couple of standards for good measure. Thus the first set included: The Timothy’s (aka “I’m in with the in-laws”), Eastern, Missing You (Aaaaaah!), Black Orpheus, and Blues for Dad (aka “Keep Pops onside, too”).

New to Crook was the forthcoming CD’s title-track, Mr Hipster – a gem of Pink Panther-ish drumming and slinky attitude. There were no “hipsters” in the audience (apparently even those of us with beards lacked the inventive topiary required) but it went down well anyway! As did the half-time pizza.

The second set opened brightly with Mick Shoulder’s bold and brassy arrangement of My Heart Belongs to Daddy and continued with Better Than a Punch in the Face. Next up (again, I think, new to Crook) was the serendipitously Scouse-inspired Lost in Translation – a “bass-heavy” piece featuring Graeme Wilson’s growling baritone sax and a great “snap” ending.

It was interesting to compare the sextet’s Vignette with the piano version from the recently reviewed (Jazz Journal – FOUR STARS!) solo album, Not Like Me. I prefer the solo version whereas the opposite applies with Eastern.

Paul then played, solo, a short, recently-written piece entitled Vince – appropriately more classical than jazzy, as dedicated to friend whose idea of heaven was any place inhabited by the Vienna Philharmonic!

Knight Errant, another instantly lovable original, featured muted brass, GraemeWilson on flute, infectious Spanish rhythms and a Flamenco-clapping finish. Olé! Angular, with solos for all and audience-participation during a drum solo (whatever next?), brought a thoroughly enjoyable evening to a close.

There are more gigs coming up at this thriving venue (Customs’ House Big Band next) - get there if you can!

My birthday happens to be on September 25 and I know where I will be – at The Sage for the CD launch! Get there too, if you can.

Jerry.