Partying at the Porthole with the Maine Street Jazzmen

The party season continued at the Porthole; a North Shields pub that looks out onto the levee. On the stand, the Maine Street Jazzmen purveyed their own brand of Dixieland that delighted the packed room who responded with unfurled umbrellas in the true New Orleans tradition.

On social occasions such as this, entertainment is the motivating force and the residents of Maine Street have plenty of that. Fred Rowe, as well as blowing a strong lead also sang an amusing version of "Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover" paraphrasing it as "I'm Getting Over a Hangover". Herbie Hudson played tram and chromatic mouth organ whilst Jim McBriety had some nice touches on alto and clarinet. Olive Rudd sang "Jeepers Creepers" and the rhythm section of Malcolm Armstrong (pno), Alan Rudd (bs) and Ollie (dms) kept it all together.

Topping off a splendid afternoon - I won a modest prize in the raffle!

Photos.