There were lots of memorable moments for me throughout 2025, having been to gigs in Newcastle (courtesy of Jazz North East, The Globe, Cobalt, Cluny, Lubber Fiend, Glasshouse) and beyond (Yamaha Music in Blyth, Pocklington nr York) and photographing all (and video-ing many) of the gigs I attended, making it one of the busiest years music-wise for a long time. But, it occurred to me that there was an 'Achievement Award' that really deserves to be given to a well-deserved time-served local performer.
Paul Edis who trod the boards in many local venues during his formative years in and around Newcastle, ultimately re-located to London to seek fame/fortune/new audiences (or new beers?). But he's never forgotten his roots as best seen by his locally based 'Jazzy Christmas' series of the past 10 years and counting. He's formed many musical relationships, most notably (pun intended!) with Jo Harrop who features strongly in the Jazzy Christmas series. Jo is usually in the limelight whereas Paul sits comfortably at the piano arranging, accompanying, sometimes solo-ing (a pun-in-waiting if rhythm were involved) and overall MD-ing the whole show. All this is of course common knowledge to BSH readers and his audiences far and wide. And, after such a long series of annual seasonal favourites, it seems a good time to pause and reflect on Paul's successes.
So, enough of the preamble. It was when I saw his Jazzy Christmas being advertised at the Royal Albert Hall (Elgar Rooms) this year, followed swiftly by a live recording of it on Jazz FM (available on 'playback' after the event too!) it struck me that surely this is an achievement worth shouting about. So, from seeing him perform may times at the Bridge Hotel in the early 2000s via the Lit & Phil (Jambone) and SAGE to the Royal Albert Hall I think Paul deserves recognition for his unfettered hard work, and inspiring so may others to get involved in either playing or simply enjoying his music, motivation and success.
To save time, space and embarrassment, I've not dug through the numerous photos I have of him coaxing the ivories in making this a stunning reality. Nice one Paul ! Cheers!! Ken Drew
Still available to listen to on-line at Jazz FM ……. Nigel Williams hosts pianist Paul Edis, Jo Harrop and Friends for a special live concert packed with seasonal favourites. Recorded in the Royal Albert Hall's Elgar Rooms, exclusively for Jazz FM at:
2 comments :
Hear, hear! Paul does so much great work.
Thanks Ken, and thanks Colin, and thanks to Lance, Russell, and everyone else on Bebop Spoken Here for your continuing support. All the best for 2026!
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