(Review by Steve T/Archive photo courtesy of Jerry)
Russell does it again, arriving in time to enjoy the band packing up their instruments. No probs with pen and paper this time; it's a short set with a few more reliable memories than mine to draw on.
With three months in France looming (I hate the entire family), the senior Edis tentatively moves towards recognition of what is already blindingly obvious to anybody with the tiniest smidgen of knowledge of North East Jazz. I thought I'd risk pushing the boat out with my own little axe-man heading off for a mighty four years; yabadabadoo.
With suspected tonsillitis or glandular fever, not to mention important exams (which they all have) I suggested he take it easy. No need; it was great to have the dream team back, maybe for one of the very last times; to north-east teenage Jazz what McLaughlin and Cobham were to Jazz-Rock: pint-size drumming ace Mathew McKellar - a fantastic ambassador for young Jazz musicians in the North East - and back on form and back on fire FDT, ably abetted as always by bassist Dan Lawrence, shoes absent, as always, revealing festive socks and into it like few I can think of.
The set, mostly chosen by the band, was particularly inspired: straight into Softly followed by Hubbard’s Little Sunflower, a set and maybe even season high, even with the horns slipping at times - anybody who hasn't heard this featuring Al Jarreau must do so immediately (well finish reading this first obviously) but with any smooth Jazz prejudice set aside.
I'll Be Seeing You followed, marking the imminent departure from the band of Francis and the older Lawrence.
Quick changeover for ‘Donna Lee. Apparently FDT and Lawrence the younger, unbeknown to their parents, have been working on this for some time - the wonders of modern technology. Exit James and Nick; (real) Doctor Edis relieves newcomer (not real) Doctor Phil on piano duties and they're off.
Penultimate number and Nick leaps in (or is it Lester without his porkpie hat?) followed by closing number and finale for this line-up’s Lit and Phil residency Now's the Time, we think by Bird, appropriately for the Early Birds. The rhythm section drop out, followed by the saxes leaving the two trumpets doing something apparently known as lines - who knew? - and more than compensating for any slips in Little Sunflower. A single bass solo near the end seems to have become a tradition for this band and, with Dan keeping it compelling every time, it's no bad thing to these ears; many years ago I stopped going to see piano trios because I became fed up with bass solos.
Hopefully, we'll be getting some new members in September which should maintain this band as essential listening for anyone with an interest in the future of Jazz in the region.
Steve T
NB. The July gig pencilled in for July 16th has been cancelled.
Paul Edis - alto sax, piano, MD. Ben (junior) Lawrence - trumpet. James Metcalfe - trumpet. Nick Caughey - tenor sax. Francis D Tulip - guitar. Phil Grobe - piano. Dan (senior) Lawrence - bass guitar. Mathew McKellar - drums.
1 comment :
This is why I need a pen and paper, sorted by a pocket size pad and pen-set for fathers day. Meant to say:
Dr Phil and Francis are comping really well together after such a short space of time, and Dr Phil without doing it with the master, which was so beneficial for Francis.
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