The Glasshouse Interviews: Paul Edis (of Triptych)
As featured on BBC Radio 3 Jazz Lineup – Paul Edis (piano/clarinet/flute) Rob Walker (drums/percussion) and Paul Susans (electric and double bass) AKA Triptych bring a diverse repertoire and extensive experience to create original music that embraces a wealth of influences and different approaches.
In 2019 the trio worked alongside artist Lisa Delarny to perform an 80 minute set of original music, including three long-form suites with visuals created live by Delarny and projected above the band in real time.
We asked Paul Edis of Triptych to take part in a quick Q+A:
What was the first record you bought?
Not sure if it was my first record, but I have a distinct memory of buying Duke Ellington’s ‘Black, Brown and Beige’ from Windows in Newcastle when I was young. It’s been a lifelong favourite. I had the pleasure of conducting Jambone and Quay Voices a few years back in a performance of Ellington’s Sacred concerts which feature the piece ‘Come Sunday’ – one of the pieces he recorded on Black, Brown and Beige with Mahalia Jackson and his orchestra.
Where in the world would you like to play that you have not already?
I’d really like to play in New York! I’ve played in the jam session as Smalls, but it’d be a dream come true to be on the billing in any of the jazz clubs of NYC where so much amazing music has been played by so many legends over the years!
Who was the first band/artist you ever saw perform live?
Not sure about the first band/artist I saw live, but during my GCSE years I was lucky enough to see Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center band at the City Hall in Newcastle, and not long after that gigs at the Gala in Durham with Michael Brecker and Joe Lovano!
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
If the Good Place has taught us anything (!) then I’m not sure there’s such a thing as perfect happiness. Personally, it’d be amazing to be playing and writing more and to have less admin! Globally, it seems right now we should focus less on being happy and more on surviving and caring for each other.
Who are your favourite writers?
Philip Larkin, T.S. Eliot, Tolkien, Robert Harris…
Who are your favourite painters?
Turner, Canaletto, Dali, Picasso…
If you could collaborate with any other artists, living or dead, who would you choose?
John Coltrane!
What are you listening to at the moment?
Good Hope – Dave Holland, Chris Potter and Zakir Hussain.
Where’s your favourite place to go on holiday?
Ireland.
Best advice you can give to emerging talent?
Take your time, it takes time! Be patient, work hard and don’t hide your light under a bushel. Don’t worry if it isn’t perfect, every performance is a rehearsal for the next.