Sustenance in the Victory Bar in the form of a half rack of ribs embalmed with BBQ sauce and washed down with a glass of house white set me up for the final session of what has been a memorable festival with so many outstanding players - including four ladies. Daryl, Cécile, Emma and Aurélie Tropez who played terrific clarinet in the Tiny Parham tribute on Saturday Afternoon. I didn't catch any of Anne Barnhart's flute sessions with hubby Jeff, but I've heard her before so I know she too should be on the distaff A team
Tonight it was Swing Out! with a recreation of the Luis Russell Orchestra that set our feet a-tapping with some of the hottest sounds heard this year. Then Cécile became Bessie Smith for the next hour in a program that included Muddy Water; My Sweetie Went Away; Sam Jones' Blues; You Ought to be Ashamed and You've Gotta Give me Some.
Magic!
The following themes were to follow - Johnny Dodds' Black Bottom Stompers; Al Bowlly (Spats Langham) Sings Ray Noble and The Progress of Ellington, a look at some of Duke's later work, but by this time I was feeling a little non compos mentis and decided that for me, the party was over.
It had been a good one and the news is that they're doing it all again next year on Nov. 7-9.
Already the advance bookings are coming in!
Lance.
PS: I know I've missed a lot of names out but, trust me, every man and woman(child) was worthy of their place on stage and I know many will be back next year.
PPS: The behind the scenes work involved in an undertaking like this is tremendous and our thanks go out to Patti Durham for a job well done despite the heartache it must have, at times, created.
Also king size medals to Allan Walton and the rest of the gang.
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