Paul Edis (piano, vocals); Andy Champion (double bass); Russ Morgan (drums)
(Review by Russell/Photos courtesy of Brian Ebbatson)
Heritage Open Days is a nationwide scheme granting access to buildings, or parts of buildings, usually off limits to the public. Newcastle's Lit and Phil participates on an annual basis and parties of the curious wander from top to bottom, up a spiral staircase, down a dimly lit corridor, turning a corner determinedly looking into every nook and cranny. One such party entered by a little used side door to be met by a rapidly filling Loftus Room. Did the curious wonder: What's going on here? They didn't hang around to find out and had they done so there wouldn't have been a seat available as today's lunchtime jazz concert drew a near capacity full house. 
The Paul Edis Trio - Edis, piano, bassist Andy Champion and drummer Russ Morgan - performed nine tunes in sixty minutes and, as always, wowed the crowd. From Days of Wine and Roses (comp. Henry Mancini) to Whiskers (comp. P. Edis) the three musicians on the stand were at the top of their respective games. No one plays the Lit and Phil's Kawai piano better than Edis and there hasn't been a better double bass player than Champion grace the venue, likewise drummer Morgan, he's the best around. Jobim's Meditation featured Morgan's mesmerising hand-drumming, Benny Moten's Moten Swing the vehicle for Champion's unsurpassed soloing and again on Monk's Ba-Lue Bolivar Ba-Lues-Are. 
Time flew and by the time Lush Life had silenced the room it was nearing the two o'clock finish. Edis wanted to fit in two more (what's that about a quart into a pint pot?) so he settled for a single vocal chorus on Lerner and Loewe's I Could Have Danced All Night before bringing things to a close with Whiskers. It had been an excellent set, be sure to catch the Paul Edis Trio at a venue near you.
Next month's jazz concert (Oct 4) takes on a slightly different look. In a co-promotion with the Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music there will be a double bill featuring Charkie Parlour (great name, great line-up!) with a support set from new duo Alembic. The event is scheduled to run from 1:00-2:30pm.
Russell
Photos( Brian Ebbatson)
No comments :
Post a Comment