Paul Edis Trio @ St Cuthbert's Centre, Crook - June 28

Paul Edis (piano, keyboards); Andy Champion (double bass); Russ Morgan (drums)

Whiskers, Paul Edis the composer. The opening number written with drummer Russ Morgan in mind to showcase his exemplary use of brushes, it was to be an evening of compositions written by our returning local hero. Now based in London, on a flying visit to the region, pianist Edis met up with fellow virtuosi, the aforementioned Russ Morgan and Andy Champion (double bass) to play two sets of top class jazz. 

A keen sense of place and time inform Edis' work: The Long Way Round, referencing Tyne and Wear's (creaking-at-the-seams) rail network, the self-explanatory A Rainy Day in Manhattan and Madeira, but three compositions, all of which could/should be in the set list of other pianists, whether they be in Tynemouth, New York or Funchal. Expansive, swinging jazz played by three of the best in the business, in a church hall in the middle-of-nowhere, who would have thought it?! 

Of Mice and Men, a terrific Muddle Through (a blues of sorts), a rare non-Edis composition, the timeless Body and Soul, listening to the Paul Edis Trio is a rare treat anytime and this Friday evening concert at St Cuthbert's Centre (now with a Bechstein upright piano on the premises!),  was one such occasion. Russell