Album review: Paul Edis Trio - Snakes and Ladders

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

Snakes and Ladders is the latest offering from Paul Edis. Composer, pianist, bandleader, London based Edis juggles several projects and this digital download album comprises eight original compositions recorded in November 2019 in the company of Andy Champion and Russ Morgan. The piano, bass, drums format places Snakes and Ladders firmly in the tradition of the straight ahead jazz piano trio.  

Paul Edis Trio @ Gosforth Civic Theatre - Oct. 17

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

(Photos courtesy of Jerry E)

A full house, an album launch, the return of the Paul Edis Trio. Each element is something to shout about, but to achieve these things in the midst of a pandemic is a major achievement. Gosforth Civic Theatre's Covid-secure premises is another example of how things can - and should - be done. As the house lights dimmed it struck your reviewer that it had been something like nine months, perhaps more, since we had heard pianist Paul Edis for real, in person, performing in front of a real, live audience. 

Pianos and how to break ‘em! - Paul Edis Trio @ Ushaw - May 18

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

(Review by Jerry)

We were lucky to find a parking spot in front of this imposing old building and even luckier to find a seat inside. The Francis Thompson Room was packed and more chairs were being carried in right up to the gig’s start time. It is truly heartening to see so many people on a Friday, forsaking the bars, eateries (barbecues, even, on such a glorious evening!) or comforts of home to listen to live jazz. They arrived expectant, they left buzzing after a piano-themed feast served up by musical master chefs, Edis, Morgan and Champion! The trio, then with Adam Sinclair on drums, had given a similar master-class in Fenham last month (see review by Russell).

Paul Edis & James Brady @ The Globe - August 6

(© Sheila Herrick)

Paul Edis (piano); James Brady (trumpet, flugelhorn)

Jazz Co-op's annual weekend workshop attracted participants keen to learn from two of the busiest performers and tutors on the British jazz scene. Over the course of two days Paul Edis and James Brady would inspire students to develop their improvisational skills. You would be hard pushed to find two better tutors. What's more, on Saturday evening, our two principals treated their students and a wider audience to two sets of top quality jazz.

PERFECT FOR 10. Paul Edis/Vasilis Xenopoulos Quartet @ Hampstead Jazz Club – Dec. 12.

Paul Edis (piano); Vasilis Xenopoulos (tenor sax); Adam King (bass); Matt Home (drums).

Three for two and one for four – not a variant on Tea for Two, just the seating arrangements at HJC for this estimable gig featuring A LIVE AUDIENCE! Only ten of ‘em, admittedly, but they made lots of noise and visibly gave pleasure to the four musicians, Covid-starved of the reaction which is such a vital part of any live music. Wish I could have been there! Being a live-streamer was a bit like eavesdropping through the door of Newcastle’s Side Café back in the day, envying the small but select band of listeners who had managed to squeeze in! I could quote numerous comments posted live by the online audience as evidence of their enjoyment but this single, eloquent one will suffice: “Yeaaaaa!”

Paul Edis Trio @ St James’ & St Basil’s - April 19

Paul Edis (piano); Andy Champion (double bass); Adam Sinclair (drums)

(Review & photo of hymn board by Russell/band photos courtesy of Jerry.) 

On a beautiful spring evening, St James’ and St Basil’s Church in the Newcastle suburb of Fenham presented the first in a new series of jazz concerts – ‘Jazz at J’s & B’s’ – featuring the brilliant Paul Edis Trio. The church recently acquired a superb Kawai piano and the concert series’ promoter did what anyone with ears would do…engage the services of pianist Paul Edis. This inaugural concert – let’s call it a ‘gig’ – attracted promising numbers; some familiar jazz gig-goers, some parishioners and perhaps one or two curious locals. The curious local and/or the non-jazz fan could be forgiven if they thought the church service hymn numbers attached to a stone pillar would form the basis of the evening’s proceedings (see photo)!     

Paul Edis Trio @ Blaydon Jazz Club - August 20

Paul Edis (piano), Andy Champion (double bass) & Russ Morgan (drums) + Francis Tulip (guitar)

(Review by Russell/Photos courtesy of Roly Veitch).

Hello. Is that London’s world-famous jazz club?

Yes. How can I help you?

I know it sold out weeks ago, but, do you have any returns for tonight’s concert?

You’re in luck. We’ve just had a pair of tickets returned to the box office.

Great! I’ll take them.

That’ll be £25 per ticket plus our usual exorbitant booking fee.

That’s fine, it’s worth it to hear the Paul Edis Trio!

Meanwhile, ‘up north’, Blaydon Jazz Club secured the booking of the Paul Edis Trio for a modest fee, and the Black Bull faithful turned out, willingly paying the modest admission charge, knowing they were in for a treat. The trio was in full rehearsal mode long before the audience arrived. New material was to be premiered here on Tyneside, London would have to wait.

Paul Edis Trio @ The Jazz Café - Jan 12

Paul Edis (piano), Paul Susans (double bass) & Matthew MacKellar (drums)

(Review by Russell/Photo courtesy of Mike Tilley)

At short notice, drummer Matthew MacKellar stepped in to replace an ailing Rob Walker. Triptych would return at a later date with this evening’s concert rebranded as the ‘Paul Edis Trio’. The two Pauls – Edis, piano, Susans, double bass – switched their attention from the original composition project that is Triptych to the standards repertoire associated with the classic jazz piano trio.

Brilliant Brush-Work! The Paul Edis Trio @ The Gala, Durham – August 23

© Malcolm Sinclair

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

This first concert in the Gala’s Tenth Anniversary Series (gosh, is it really that long?) began, appropriately, with Paul paying tribute again to the late Brian Ebbatson. His words (which have appeared earlier in these pages) were also given prominence in the programme notes. Brian was also referenced in the introduction to the sixth tune on the set-list: It Is What It Is and there was a collection after the show for Brian’s nominated charities: Macmillan Nurses and Saint Cuthbert’s Hospice. The gig, I’d have to say, was a joyous celebration which was all, like that sixth tune, very much “for Brian”.

Paul Edis Trio: Blaydon Jazz Club's Christmas Party @ The Black Bull - Dec 16

Paul Edis (piano, vocals); Andy Champion (double bass); Russ Morgan (drums) + Roly Veitch (guitar, vocals); Graham Hardy (trumpet, flugelhorn); James Birkett (guitar); Zoë Gilby (vocals)

(Review by Russell/PHOTOS courtesy of Jerry.)

The annual Blaydon Jazz Club Christmas Party, specifically the DIY buffet, long ago acquired mythical status. Down the decades - yes, Blaydon Jazz Club is well into its fourth decade! - the December concert has become a much-loved affair. This year's festive musical offering came in the form of the Paul Edis Trio...and guests. 

Santa Claus is coming to (Blaydon) Town with Monkish bop overtones opened the party. Every time your scribe hears the trio he concludes that they - Edis, Andy Champion and Russ Morgan - would more than hold their own at any of NYC's famous jazz clubs. Last night's performance at the Black Bull did nothing to dispel this view. 

Paul Edis: Lockdown Live #10 - May 22

Paul Edis (piano/vocals)

Lockdown session number ten. Paul came in on the back of 134 previous tunes none of which were repeats and this lunchtime he added another 12 - all absolute masterclasses in jazz piano. Not many pianists go head to head with Keith Jarrett and come out unbloodied, but Paul managed to do just that on the rather beautiful Country - positively pastoral.

CD Review: Loz Speyer's INNER SPACE - Life on the Edge

Loz Speyer (trumpet/flugel); Chris Biscoe (alto/alto clarinet); Rachel Musson (tenor/soprano); Olie Brice (bass); Gary Wilcox (drtums).

(Review by Lance).

I read the notes and, my first reaction was to send it off to one of our more outré reviewers, but, upon listening, I was hooked. Sure, they broke camp but didn't commit any musical atrocities - pet shop owners can sleep safely in their beds. Speyer's both introvert and extrovert according to the mood. At times, beautifully lyrical whilst, at others he can be fiercely aggressive. Both work. Briscoe has long been an unsung journeyman of modern jazz, by which I'm talking Parker to Ornette and all stations in-between. He can handle the gig whatever it is and I apologise for 'journeyman'. Listening to Snakes and Ladders, Master Craftsman is a more appropriate description.

Paul Edis live streaming tonight - Feb. 9

A quick reminder that Paul Edis continues his New Year, New Lockdown, New Music (3) on Tuesday night at 8pm on his YouTube channel. Paul continues revisiting and reworking his past playbook as well as applying his creativity to responding musically to the trials and tribulations of the last year with new compositions. Besides solo piano he may treat us again to some clarinet, flute and loops. Note also his Snakes and Ladders album (information on his website) is getting widely and positively reviewed in the jazz press.

The link is: https://youtu.be/XIMwRrIW0G0

Brian Ebbatson.

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:

New Year, New Lockdown, New Music (2)

Paul Edis presents the second of his solo piano live streams tonight at 8:00pm. To watch on YouTube click on this link.

Paul, whose recent trio album Snakes and Ladders has been receiving rave reviews, will be playing a mix of standards and original compositions.

Lance