Bradley Johnston Trio @ The Cherry Tree.

Bradley Johnston (gtr); Peter Gilligan (pno); Paul Grainger (bs).

(Review by Lance.)

I think it was probably Nat Cole in his pre-coronation days who first brought the piano/bass/guitar trio to prominence - later Oscar Peterson built upon it and, more recently, in the north-east Dean Stockdale has worked that side of the street.

Tonight at the Cherry Tree, Messrs Johnston, Gilligan and Grainger gave us their take.

Because of the neo non-jazz setting, the tempos didn't exceed the speed of light and the volume didn't drown out the percussive accompaniment of knife and fork against plate (or indeed the sound of plates against floor!)

Blasé?

No way!

It was a delight to hear these three guys, who, at other venues, can knock seven shades out of any standard, playing reflectively, exploratively, adding to the ambiance of this evening of musical manna.

Doxy - as good a tune as Rollins ever wrote - converted the Poached Chicken and Leek Terrine with Chutney into an aphrodisiacal starter even though I had no Doxy to aphrodisiac with!

Loverman, even with the plates falling, failed to detract from the magic,

Some may call this "Cocktail Music" - if that's the case, make mine a large Old Fashioned to go with my North Sea Fishcake, Tartar, Fries, Garden Salad, Lemon and In a Mellow Tone,

'Round Midnight - Spiced Yellow Plums, Pan Perdu, White Chocolate Ice Cream and Skylark. 

Have I gone to Heaven or will I wake up and find I'm in Hebburn and eating a less ethereal Ambrosia?

A reasonable crowd but only a couple of jazz heads noted.

Tasteful describes every aspect of the evening....

Lance,