Peter Gilligan Trio w. Alice Grace @ The Cherry Tree.

Alice Grace (vcl); Peter Gilligan (pno); Paul Grainger (bs); Russ Morgan (dms).

(Review by Lance).

This was the kind of session at which the Cherry Tree excels and tonight, it even excelled itself!

But, how could it fail with this calibre of Jazz? Superb singer, Pucka piano, Beautiful bass and Dynamic drums - yes drums can be as dynamic, possibly even more so, with brushes as with sticks.

In the right hands and tonight they were in the right hands.

Mean to Me allowed those who hadn't heard Ms Grace before to discover just what she could do with a lyric and a melody - Alice, Carmen, Anita, all singing from the same, exclusive, lead sheet.

Studying the menu, trying to decide on a starter - Courgette Soup; Montgomery Cheddar and Spinach Souffle were rolled, mentally around my palate until Alice sang Devil May Care. Devil May Care indeed! I said, ordering the Pigeon Breast, Raspberries, Mint and Feta Cheese. Perhaps I was subconsciously getting back at the pigeon who had "decorated" my car yesterday. It probably wasn't the same bird but it may have been related.

The songs came fast and furious, slow and sentimental, each and all wonderful even if a degree of uncertainty sometimes showed midst les tout ensemble. Who cares? That's jazz and I wouldn't have it any other way.

By the time I'd reached my 8oz Bistro rump steak with the Traditional Garnish, Fries, Tomato and Rosemary Butter main course we'd had You Go to My Head; Invitation; Just in Time; There Will Never Be Another You; No More Blues; Taking a Chance on Love and The Nearness of You - Not a Summertime or a Valentine among them!

Time for a break, a bottle of Black Sheep and a chat with Sylvia Truscott and her friend Anne - pics are from Anne's phone (I forgot my camera!)

We all agreed that Alice was something special, Pete at the top of his game, Paul - no wonder they named a street after him and Russ, he uses his brushes better than Renoir!

Break over.

I Thought About You; One Note Samba; Joyspring - this latter number was special in an evening of specials! great piano solo and some superb scatting from (ooh) Ms Grace - More Than You Know; It Could Happen To You; Chick Corea's Windows and, finally, for me, Lush Life.

And, as if the above wasn't sufficient my Strawberry Frangipane with Vanilla Ice Cream certainly was.

Lance.