Digital album review: Paul Edis & Graeme Wilson - Big as a Mountain, Small as a Pin: Paul Edis & Graeme Wilson play the music of Thelonious Monk

Paul Edis (piano); Graeme Wilson (tenor saxophone)

(Review by Russell)

Over a period of ten years and more pianist Paul Edis and saxophonist Graeme Wilson have worked together in several high profile outfits including the Paul Edis Sextet, the Graeme Wilson Quartet, Splinter Group and ACV. In addition they have released their own albums including those of Edis' sextet on which Wilson can be heard playing reeds and Wilson's quartet on which Edis plays piano. Now, some two and a half years on from recording as a duo, Edis and Wilson are about to release an online album of the music of a shared enthusiasm - Thelonious Monk. 

What to Expect – Except Brilliant? Graeme Wilson and Paul Edis play the music of Monk @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle – Feb. 14.

Graeme Wilson (tenor sax); Paul Edis (piano)

(Review by Jerry)

Fifteen years ago I knew the name, Thelonius Monk, but little else. I was intrigued by an early Edis composition, I Wish I Were a Monk, from which I learned that this is very distinctive music which never fails to elicit strong audience response. In my case, it always made me smile. When I first heard Paul playing ‘Round Midnight, I realised that I knew one of Monk’s tunes but could not have told you that. Zoë Gilby’s excellent show, Pannonica, progressed my learning curve somewhat but as of this morning (I checked!) I still only needed the fingers of one hand to list the Monk titles I could remember. None of my memorable five were on today’s programme so I had no idea what to expect – except that, having often seen these two musicians over the same fifteen-year period, it would be brilliantly played.

A Paul Edis discography/streamography

Pianist/composer Paul Edis yesterday posted on Facebook an ever growing list of his, mainly original, albums to date.

For those seekers of wisdom and truth who avoid F/b like the plague I've taken the liberty of reposting it below with links to BSH reviews. Paul has, of course, contributed to many other albums in various roles. However, these are the ones under his name: