Jo Harrop (vocals); Paul Booth (tenor sax, soprano sax, flute); Paul Edis (piano)
Hampstead Jazz Club is home-from-home to Jo Harrop. Paul Edis is no stranger to the New End venue, on the other hand, the other Paul, Paul Booth, is rarely seen or heard in the leafy London suburb. Here's a thing, Jo and the two Pauls hail from the Chester-le-Street area in County Durham. It wasn't until all three independently relocated to the south east of England that they would meet up on the London jazz scene. This evening they would, unsurprisingly, play to a full house.
The Duke of Hamilton's brick-lined cellar is home to Hampstead Jazz Club. Its small stage is just large enough to accommodate a Kawai piano and pianist (Paul E) with space for two or three other musicians, this evening Jo, centre stage, perched on a high bar stool, and standing to her left, Paul B. Flanked by the two Pauls, Jo presented a perfectly balanced programme of original compositions, variously written by Jo and Paul, Jo and Hannah Vasanth, Paul B and Paul E.
Opening with Short Story, followed by Early Autumn (from Weathering the Storm), this was sublime: the musicianship, the presentation, the easy engagement with their up-close audience. We were treated to a world premiere performance of Jo's take on early morning/late night Soho and its many colourful, occasionally louche, characters - You'll Never be Lonely in Soho.
Have the Pauls worked together before? Possibly. Their understanding, bordering on the telepathic, was a joy to behold, little more than a nod or a smile was all that was required. Paul B, alternating between tenor and soprano saxophones, briefly playing flute, chose to play several of his own compositions, including the contrafact of Cole Porter's I Love You, wittily titled I Really Don't Like You, Paul E reading the chart on the spot. Amazing. Highlights were many, in truth the whole evening was one long highlight. To choose but one song, Jo's Red Mary Janes and a Brand New Hat (co-written with Hannah Vasanth) should be considered a modern day standard. A fabulous evening. Russell
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