Triptych @ Sage Gateshead - Oct. 16

(Photo by Russell)

Paul Edis (piano, keyboards, clarinet, flute); Paul Susans (double bass, bass guitar); Rob Walker (drums, percussion, keyboards); Lisa Delarny (live visuals)

Some ticket holders in Sage Two booked for this Triptych concert more than eighteen months ago. It is said patience is a virtue. Post-lockdown the two Pauls - Edis and Susans - took to the stage with Rob Walker to play three long form compositions without a break over the course of ninety minutes. Visual artist Lisa Delarny worked unobtrusively from the back of the hall to create real-time artworks projected onto a screen high above the on-stage musicians. 

Pianist Paul Edis is no stranger to Sage Gateshead, having performed and worked here over many years since its opening not far short of two decades ago. Bassist Paul Susans and drummer Rob Walker have followed a similar path and it was good to see them together on stage once more. An appreciative, not to say attentive, crowd became immersed in the music. Difficult to categorise, the compositions comprised myriad forms...hard-swinging, straight ahead jazz, Latin, North African/Middle Eastern sounds, funk, jazz rock, neo-classical and more. A nod or a smile sufficed, no need for verbal communication, enabling the trio to navigate the charts which, due to the pandemic, were, likely as not, left on a shelf gathering dust. Meeting up earlier in the day, the charts were dusted off and on the night it all fell into place. 

(Photo by Jerry)

Pianist Edis sat at Sage Gateshead's Steinway, occasionally switching to keyboards and adding clarinet and flute into the bargain. Paul Susans proved equally effective playing double bass and superb funking electric bass lines. Drummer Rob Walker was in particularly fine form, alert to the music's every shift, twist and turn. Painter and noted sculptor Lisa Delarny responded to the ever-changing musical landscape before her with considered, lovingly sketched images projected for all present to view. 

Triptych is an occasional project, 'occasional' due to the fact that the principals are extremely busy with other projects. As and when Messrs Edis, Susans and Walker - and Ms Delarny - do it again, make a point of being there. Russell         

Set list: Fragment; 73; You Are Here.