Paul Edis (piano); John Garner (violin)
(Review/photos by Roly)
We all know that Paul Edis is a
Bill Evans devotee but here, he was joined by kindred spirit John Garner, a
cross genre virtuoso violinist equally at home with the classical world (Royal
Northern Sinfonia, Guastalla Quartet) and contemporary jazz. They played two fine acoustic
sets, no need to turn up the volume here. Quiet, lyrical
beauty doesn’t need mega decibels. The tunes, a mix of Evans’ compositions and
Edis/Garner originals with an Evans’ flavour. This duo, I’m told, is the beginning of
a new project – watch this space!
Nathan Lawson (guitar)
Earlier, Nathan had opened the
evening with a solo set that totally enthralled the audience. Playing with
maturity and a refined sense of harmony (sophisticated chordal work,
contrapuntal lines, bass lines, it was all there) the young guitarist gave us a
set of delightful material.
A mix of orthodox jazz guitar chord
melody playing, mixed with flamboyant Chet Atkins’ style renditions using the
Travis picking bass lines as perfected by Atkins. And, all put over with charming
and informed comment about the songs, the style, etc. A product of the Sage
Gateshead Weekend Jazz Course, tutored by Dr. James Birkett, I’m sure you will
be hearing a lot more of this engaging and mature young man (age 18).
Set list - Quiet Nights, Bye Bye
Blues, Tenderly, I Got Rhythm, I'll See You in My Dreams and We'll
Meet Again.
All in all a unique and delightful
evening of jazz ending with, of all things, a Country & Western fan wearing
a stylish hat wandering into the room and asking if Buddy Rich was playing as
he wanted a ‘quiet word in his ear’.
Roly V.
2 comments :
I wish I could've been there. Good to know Paul and John plan to do it again sometime. And how good is Nathan, eh?
I wish I could've been there too! I would have, had it not been my knee replacement just a few days ago. Anyway, this one sounds absolutely fantastic - Paul's playing I know well, of course, but I'd like to have heard him with the violin of John Garner - I heard him once at a Jazz Cafe jam. Young Nathan I've heard a couple of times at Ushaw - and was mightily impressed then.
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