Jo Harrop & Paul Edis @ King's Hall, Newcastle University - Dec. 15

(© Ken Drew)

Jo Harrop (vocals); Paul Edis (piano) + Jason Holcomb (trombone)

It was cold outside, snowflakes brushed past King's Hall's stained glass windows, the scene was set for the appearance of Jo Harrop and Paul Edis. Our duo's new album When Winter Turns to Spring would feature alongside material from pre-pandemic and, indeed, pandemic times. Jo in a sparkly Christmas number, Paul sober as a judge (sartorially speaking), their set of some forty five minutes would fly by. 

(© Ken Drew)

Short Story, Umbrellas in the Rain, the title track When Winter Turns to Spring, this was a masterclass in late night jazz club performance. And to think it was a little after one in the afternoon! Jo's voice sounded better than ever, Paul's piano playing that of the London A-lister he undoubtedly is. The voice utterly distinctive, hear a phrase and you know it's Jo, Paul's piano playing that of a contemporary pianist/composer with an old school ear, a 'proper' piano player. 

(© Jerry Edis)

Red Mary Janes and a Brand New Hat from Jo's brilliant The Heart Wants album is a winner every time. Singer and pianist were as one, Paul anticipating, Jo delivering, 'flawless' is the word. To close an all-too-short set, Jo invited Jason Holcomb to join them on Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!. Jason, Head of Brass here at Newcastle University, seemed to be enjoying himself, and why not?! To top things off, children from a local primary school occupied the front row and, directed by Jo, joined in with a rousing Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!

Jo Harrop and Paul Edis will be joined by Jason Holcomb and a whole bunch of other great musicians across the weekend to  make it a truly Jazzy Christmas. Tomorrow (Friday) at St Cuthbert's in Crook is a sell out, however, a few tickets are available on Saturday at Sage Gateshead (3:00pm & 8:00pm) and on Monday evening at Sunderland's superb new Fire Station concert hall. Go on, treat yourself, it's (almost) Christmas! Russell