(Review by Steve
H.)
Pannonica is Zoe Gilby’s tribute to the interpretation of Thelonious
Monk by her musical heroine Carmen McRae. Several rave reviews can already be
found in these electronic pages. A quartet here, a trio there. Last night we saw
a stripped down version of the project with just Paul Edis on piano
accompanying Zoe and what a glorious New Year’s treat it was. Paul’s playing of
Monk’s work is sensational and Zoe’s interpretation of these great instrumental
compositions stunning.
As for musical highlights it would be impossible to single out any
particular number as they were all brilliant. The whole Monk canon was
wonderfully represented, although the final number The Ballad of
Thelonious Monk, written by Jimmy Rowles, was a delightful humorous
country and western song famously sung by Carmen McRae at Ratso's.
A special thank you I feel should go to The Jazz Cafe for
not charging entry for their first gig of 2016. To be able to hear music of
this class in such intimate surroundings proves that sometimes ‘there is such a
thing as a free lunch’. Sometimes the noise levels at these non-paying gigs can
be quite distracting but on Friday night the audience was able to enjoy the
music without any background disturbance. Even the most ebullient of Cafe
revellers were silenced by the sheer quality of the performance from this
outstanding duo.
Steve H.
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