Paul Edis (MD, piano); Jo Harrop (vocals); Emma Fisk (violin); Matt Anderson (tenor sax, soprano sax); Faye Thompson (alto sax, clarinet); Graham Hardy (trumpet, flugelhorn); Jason Holcomb (trombone); Megan Robinson (flute, piccolo); Michael Dunlop (double bass); Matt MacKellar (drums)
The
Fire Station* glowed brightly,
the foyer and adjoining Engine Room pub a hive of activity. We were here for
the fifth and final performance of Paul Edis' north of England tour of A Jazzy Christmas. The stalls packed, as the lights dimmed Matt MacKellar set
up a New Orleans vibe to Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow! And, of course, the wonderful Jo Harrop sang the
timeless number. As Christmas shows go, A Jazzy Christmas takes some beating.
Edis' arrangement of Santa Baby, make that Santa Basie, is little short of a masterpiece. A Splanky intro, Harrop singing Hurry down the chim, hurry down the chim...when you hear this one you know it's almost Christmas! The band...handpicked, each and everyone of them contributing to the occasion; Emma Fisk, violin, Matt Anderson, tenor and soprano, two first rate musicians, behind them the horns; Graham Hardy, Faye Thompson (great alto solo on Santa Baby), Megan Robinson and Jason Holcomb. The rhythm section; all the way from Ronnie Scott's, newbie Michael Dunlop (a revelation playing double bass) and, all the way from Boston, USA, the fantastic Matt MacKellar (drums).
Joni Mitchell's River featured Megan Robinson playing flute, a welcome edition to the A Jazzy Christmas book. New material helps keep things fresh but dare MD Edis drop any of the tried-and-tested, not to say much loved, numbers?
As Ms Harrop introduced Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas our star vocalist looked down into the stalls to enquire: Who's [noisily] eating crisps down there? A moment of hilarity, a prelude to a beautiful duo rendition (Edis and Harrop) of the Martin and Blane number (as sung by Judy Garland in the MGM movie Meet Me in St. Louis).
Second set, with Harrop backstage the ensemble stretched out on Chris Rea's Driving Home for Christmas. A 'modern' classic, Sunderland's Fire Station audience loved it. What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? - Harrop's achingly beautiful vocals, Matt Anderson and Jason Holcomb the accomplished soloists. New Year, New You from When Winter Turns to Spring as a blues featuring Paul Edis, Wearsider Michael Dunlop on home turf (fan club in attendance!) and Matt MacKellar - some serious Birdland/Blue Note NYC playing on this one!
Winter Wonderland had 'em rockin' in the aisles, then, to close, The Christmas Song. A perfect evening and a perfect way to start the festive season.
* The Fire Station, High St West, Sunderland - venue of the year? Russell
1 comment :
Venue of the year? Maybe next year or so! Nevertheless, hats off to the team. A work in progress that, as long as the jazz community, both the 'official' and the actual fans who love the music, get behind it, it cannot fail.
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