Paul Edis (piano); Graeme Wilson (tenor/flute); Graham Hardy (trumpet/flugel); Chris Hibbard (trombone); Mick Shoulder (bass); Adam Sinclair (drums).
(Review by Lance).
A Paul Edis gig is never without interest. Whether it be solo piano, duo, trio, sextet or big band there's always something there. It may be a group of youngsters taking their first tentative steps into Planet Jazz or a seasoned bunch of grizzly veterans who've got a wardrobe full of t-shirts; whatever, like Ellington, Edis maps out the charts to fit the crew.
Tonight's crew, A-listers all, did the music proud both individually and collectively. Most of the compositions were originals by the leader, although Graeme and Graham also contributed a couple of their own, to make for two well balanced sets.
The main things I like about the sextet are:
a): Everybody doesn't solo on every number.
b): The soloists don't do marathons.
c): Every number doesn't finish with a meaningless round of fours.
d): Bass solos and drum solos are kept at a minimum which is no reflection on Mick Shoulder and Adam Sinclair who are two of the finest on their respective instruments and appreciated all the more when they do get the nod whilst, at the same time, holding it all together like Gorilla Glue. Strong and stable was Edis' description - strong and stable indeed!
The music.
Sharp 9/8 - a bit of a Take 5 feel to it (give or take a couple of beats) particularly the piano/drum interaction at the end.
I Wish I Was a Monk - Quirky head as befits the title and the inspiration behind it.
Dorian Gray - Nothing to do with Oscar Wilde but a piece incorporating the Dorian Mode or, to be more precise, a minor scale with a major sixth (thank you Google). Hardy blew fine flugel and Wilson's tenor completed the portrait.
It's Been, It's Gone, It's Happened - Could have been written by Billy Taylor! Hardy, plunger perfect, and Hibbard reminding us that we don't hear enough of him these days.
Madeira - Brought the first set to a close. Wilson on flute.
The Pounce - During the intermission, one or two of the J-cops thought the first set had been a bit
subdued. They changed their minds when this boppy opus by Graham Hardy hit the
deck. Trumpet in full flight driven on by Sinclair, the applause was of the
vocal variety!
Muddle Through - Trumpet, Tenor, piano and bass featured. They did much more than muddle through.
Cluster Flusters - Trombone to the fore.
Lost and Brand New Mountain brought my participation to a close as I prepared to catch my flight home (number 27) so didn't make any notes.
Here's to the next sextet session.
Lance.
Photos.
3 comments :
You're right - limited solo features, brevity the key to it all. A class act.
It appears the main things you like about the sextet are the things they don't do rather than the things they do do. If brevity is the key to it all think how much could be unlocked if they didn't play at all?
Less is more...
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