Triptych @ The Lit & Phil. March 31

Paul Edis (piano & clarinet), Paul Susans (double bass) & Rob Walker (drums)

(Review by Russell)

The opening day of the big bash across the Tyne didn’t dissuade the faithful from attending the Lit & Phil’s monthly lunchtime jazz concert. Triptych – Paul Edis, Paul Susans and Rob Walker – is a three-way conversation in a jazz setting. This particular meeting of musical minds played to a now-to-be-expected capacity audience at no. 23 Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne.

The one-hour performance comprised a choice selection of standards and Triptych’s Fragmented Suite. Opening with Edis’ Montage, the attentive crowd hung on every note. Bacharach and David and Jimmy Van Heusen provided the standards – respectively Close to You and the incomparable  I Thought About You. Edis’ piano playing of the highest order (Sage Gateshead’s big ‘do’ would do well to hear anything better), Susans’ bass playing mightily impressive, and the endlessly inventive Rob Walker’s percussion masterclass coalesced around their suite of twenty-five minutes’ duration. Walker’s Fragment, Edis’ Murmuration, the opening pieces of the five-part suite. Dr Gonzo (comp P Susans) then a reprise of Walker’s piece before concluding with Edis’ Dark Ages and a Fragment finale.

A fine end to the month of March. There will not be a concert in April, the series resumes on Friday 19 May with the Dean Stockdale Trio. Pianist Stockdale will introduce two new faces to some of the Lit & Phil’s regulars – bassist Gavin Barras and drummer Adam Dawson, both of whom work in the Manchester area and further afield. Stockdale will have with him copies of his new CD. To ensure a seat, arrive early. The concert, £5.00 admission, is scheduled to start at 1:00pm.

Please note that the visit of Nicola Farnon to the Gala Theatre, Durham on April 14 is a sell-out.        

Russell.