Paul Edis Trio @ The Jazz Café. June 5

Paul Edis (piano), Mick Shoulder (double bass) & Adam Sinclair (drums)

(Review by Russell)

The late Chris Yates told the story of the time he visited a New York bar/restaurant to hear the Junior Mance Trio. The musicians almost outnumbered the customers. There will be others with similar tales. Last night’s Paul Edis Trio gig at the Jazz Café, Pink Lane, Newcastle upon Tyne can be added to the list of top class musicians performing brilliantly to an all but non-existent audience.

Paul Edis (piano), Mick Shoulder (double bass) and drummer Adam Sinclair played a selection of tunes – some Bill Evans, some Ellington, Falling in Love with Love, One Note Samba, On Green Dolphin Street, Polka Dots and Moon Beams and many others. Edis’ monthly residency at the Jazz Café is, without question, the ‘must-get-to’ gig on Tyneside or anywhere else for that matter. The few loved it. Where were the many? A guess…some were at the Odeon to see Count Basie, some went to the City Hall for the  Oscar Peterson/Ella Fitzgerald package and others opted for the Corner House to catch Art Hodes. That explains it. Or…never heard of him/jazz isn’t what it used to be/I was listening to my Benny Goodman CD/I was watching the telly/I wouldn’t know where to park/I haven’t taken a bus in years/I will get beaten to death if I go in to town (delete as applicable).

Honestly! This is the best stuff you will hear. It’s monthly, it’s fantastic. You’ve never been to the Jazz Café? Do yourself a favour, take a chance, you’ll love it! Things Ain’t What They Used to Be, I’m Old Fashioned (Edis quipped: That just about sums up me, Mick and Adam), Long Ago and Far Away, Stompin’ at the Savoy. If you like swinging jazz piano this is the gig for you. Go on, be a devil. Have a night out in town.        

Russell.