Paul Edis Trio @ The Jazz Café. August 7

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

(Review by Russell/photos courtesy of Mike Tilley).

The Paul Edis Trio at the Jazz Café. Your monthly treat. The place was buzzing from the earlier hour-long set by the Early Birds (see LL’s review). Many in the audience made a night of it – first listening to the young musicians in the upstairs room, then sitting and standing in the downstairs bar to hear Edis, Shoulder and Sinclair.

What Is This Thing Called Love? All three musicians on it from the start. The lid of the piano discarded, its innards on display, a metaphorical glimpse into the mind of the pianist. The hammers in motion created a mechanical, analogue fairground display, much more revealing than any digital alternative. Stompin’ at the Savoy – samba style – then an exceptional Our Love is Here to Stay. Pianist Edis’ magically old school, lagging-behind - the-beat, style worked off the precision of  bassist Mick Shoulder and ace drummer Adam Sinclair. Jobim’s Dindi, then a tune to mark the passing of pianist John Taylor (Paul Edis knew his fellow pianist from York University) – Bill Evans’ Peace Piece played as a solo piano feature.

A keen listener remarked that the set list couldn’t have been better. Freddie Freeloader (a Kind of Modal masterpiece), Basie swing (One O’clock Jump), Yesterdays with a fleeting Four. Quotes peppered Edis’ playing; clever stuff and good fun. ‘What’s that one? It’s...’ The packed room stayed on for the second set. People had travelled from far and wide for the occasion – from Greater Elswick to Germany. Another listener noted the atmosphere – a full house, the majority listening intently, all seats taken, bar stools lining the bar with many standing – as being particularly good. Yes, it was one of those nights.

Paul Edis is like Stan Tracey. You get Ellington and you get Monk. A dream combination – a Monk’s Dream you could say. Adam Sinclair’s brushes skittered over his kit on Emily as expertly as anyone could wish to hear. The trio’s performance just got better and better as we heard the slow take on Take the A Train. This one should be recorded. How about The Paul Edis Trio Live at the Jazz Café? They played on – A Night in Tunisia – and finally, I Could Have Danced All Night. They could have played all night.    

Russell.