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LAMBERTVILLE: Trio gets people up to dance

Jane Paul Trio grabs the audience

By John Tredrea, Special Writer
   A good sign that audience members like the music is that they’re dancing to it. When someone who doesn’t have a partner will get up and dance by his or her self, that’s probably an even stronger sign.
   That’s how it was with the Jane Paul Trio at Bucks Coffee in Lambertville last Saturday night.
   With Ms. Paul on lead vocals, her husband David Paul on harmony vocals and Bill Kershan on bass (“I try not to sing,” Mr. Kershan quipped), the band had the place in a fine mood. Those at the tables listened closely and applauded with gusto after each song.
   Judy Marchand, like everyone in the trio a Lambertville resident, liked the upbeat numbers so much that she got up and danced by herself. She was a good dancer, too. Seeing that, Ms. Paul asked her to join the band on tambourine for the last song of the night, “Love Me Like A Man.”
   The trio plays at Bucks Coffee, on Bridge Street across the street from the Lambertville House, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. the first Saturday of each month. All three members have been musicians for years, but the trio is a new thing.
   ”Bill asked David and I a few months ago if we wanted to form a trio,” Ms. Paul said. “We’ve known him a long time and played music with him here and there over the years and said, ‘okay, let’s do it.’ We’re enjoying it.”
   Mr. Kershan has played in The Shackers, a band that’s a regular at the city’s Shad Fest, for years. Jane and David Paul played in a band with another interesting name, The Inflexibles.
   The Jane Paul Trio uses electric guitar and electric bass. The music is funky, but has a mellow edge — it’s not too loud.
   They do an eclectic mix of songs, drawing from standards, rock, blues and other genres. “I only have eyes for you,” “Crazy” and “Right Down the Line” are some of the songs you’ll hear them perform.
   Ms. Paul has a powerful voice that she alternately turns loose and reins in to good effect. Her husband’s fine guitar fills and breaks and Mr. Kershan’s solid bass complement her nicely.
   You don’t need a date to go check them out, because it’s fine if you get up and dance by yourself. If you do, they might hand you an instrument and ask you to join in.