Classic Jazz Party - Day 3

I'm not going to be able to make this, the final day of a fantastic weekend, so I'm going to torture myself even further by listing what I'll be missing!

Lance.

12 Noon – 12.30pm: Fiddlesticks.

Based on the great Joe Venuti’s Blue Four (and yes, he also had a Blue Six), you will enjoy this session of what may fairly be termed the Chamber Music of Jazz. Emma Fisk is certainly the most brilliant star to rise in recent years! Emma Fisk (violin); Mauro Porro (reeds); David Boeddinghaus (piano); Martin Wheatley (guitar); Frans Sjöström (bass saxophone).

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12.30pm – 1.30pm: ‘May it please you – Ben Pollack.’

Drummer and bandleader Ben Pollack may be little-known today, but his career began as far back as 1923 with the New Orleans Rhythm Kings. Josh will explain and illustrate how his bands launched many star players such as Jack Teagarden, Benny Goodman and Harry James. Duke Heitger, Andy Schumm (trumpets); Kris Kompen (trombone); Matthias Seuffert, Lars Frank, Mauro Porro (reeds); Emma Fisk (violin);  Keith Nichols (piano); Jacob Ullberger (guitar); Phil Rutherford (brass bass); Josh Duffee (drums). Janice Day, vocal.

1.30pm – 2.00pm: Jabbo Returns.

The Jabbo Smith tribute at last year’s Party was such a success that a further session has been arranged ‘by popular demand’! Menno Daams(trumpet); Jean-François Bonnel (reeds); Keith Nichols (piano); Martin Wheatley (banjo, guitar); Phil Rutherford (brass bass).

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2.00pm – 3.00pm: Union Rhythm Kings.

If you were not one of the ‘Early Birds’ who heard this very successful band’s first session on Thursday, you will appreciate the versatility of this all-star group which was formed in Sweden by Frans in 2007. Bent Persson (trumpet); Kris Kompen (trombone); Lars Frank (reeds); Morten Gunnar Larsen (piano); Jacob Ullberger (banjo, guitar); Frans Sjöström (bass saxophone); Nicholas Ball (drums).

3.00pm – 4.00pm: Count Basie Small Groups.

One of Basie’s first classic recordings was with a small band, but he made many more, especially in the 1950s.  Matthias and his group take you through some of this great repertoire. Enrico Tomasso (trumpet); Matthias Seuffert (reeds); Martin Litton (piano); Henry Lemaire (guitar); Malcolm Sked (bass); Richard Pite (drums).

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4.00pm – 5.00pm: Andy Schumm’s  Fat Babies.

Andy hails from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and is another who took up music when very young. He became a ‘Bixophile’ early on but his marvellous talents as an improviser and arranger are wide-ranging, as you will hear this afternoon. Menno Daams, Andy Schumm (trumpets); Alistair Allan (trombone); Jean-François Bonnel, Lars Frank, Claus Jacobi (reeds); David Boeddinghaus (piano); Henry Lemaire (banjo, guitar); Malcolm Sked (bass, brass bass); Josh Duffee (drums).

DINNER

7.30pm – 8.00pm: The Professor – Morten Gunnar Larsen.

Morten is one of the most distinguished Norwegian jazz musicians, holding awards from his home country as well as the U.S.A., where he spent several years involved in such shows as ‘One Mo’ Time’ and ‘Jelly Roll! - the Music and the Man.’ 

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8.00pm – 9.00pm: Rico’s Louis.

We all know that Rico, at a young age, met Louis Amstrong. But few could have foretold how magnificently he was to follow the inspiration of his mentor. The breadth, the audacity and the passion of Rico’s playing never fail to thrill. Enrico Tomasso, Bent Persson (trumpets); Alistair Allan (trombone); Jean-François Bonnel, Claus Jacobi, Mauro Porro (reeds); David Boeddinghaus (piano); Martin Wheatley (banjo, guitar); Henry Lemaire (bass); Nicholas Ball (drums).

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9.00pm – 9.30pm: Chu Berry.

Chu Berry’s career was alas short; he lost his life in a car accident in 1941, and so is less well known than he deserves. Fortunately, Matthias possesses the sensitivity – and virtuosity – to keep Berry’s music alive so that you can experience it yourselves. Duke Heitger (trumpet); Matthias Seuffert (tenor saxophone); Martin Litton (piano); Henry Lemaire (bass); Richard Pite (drums). Janice Day, vocal.

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9.30pm – 10.00pm: Red Nichols – The Vitaphone Film.

Rediscovery and restoration of many short musical films made in the 1920s & 30s has made great strides in recent years. Josh and his musicians re-enact one of the best, which featured Eddie Condon and Pee Wee Russell as well as Nichols himself. Andy Schumm (trumpet); Graham Hughes (trombone); Lars Frank (reeds); Morten Gunnar Larsen (piano); Martin Wheatley (banjo, guitar); Frans Sjöström (bass saxophone); Josh Duffee (drums).

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10.00pm – 11.00pm: Smack – Fletcher Henderson 1930 / 32.

Fletcher Henderson recorded profusely in the 1920s, but there is a curious gap between May 1929 and October 1930.  Claus leads this session devoted to the new band, a ‘powerhouse’ which foretold the Swing Era that was to come a few years later. Enrico Tomasso, Duke Heitger, Menno Daams (trumpets); Kris Kompen, Graham Hughes (trombones); Matthias Seuffert, Jean-François Bonnel, Claus Jacobi (reeds); Keith Nichols (piano); Jacob Ullberger (banjo, guitar); Malcolm Sked (bass); Richard Pite (drums).

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11.00pm – ????: Victory Pub Jam.

The tireless Enrico Tomasso directs this final Jam Session. The extensive, all-star personnel promises a fitting climax to this excellent Jazz Party! Enrico Tomasso, Bent Persson (trumpets); Kris Kompen, Alistair Allan (trombones); Mauro Porro, Jean-François Bonnel (reeds); Emma Fisk (violin); David Boeddinghaus (piano); Martin Wheatley (banjo, guitar); Malcom Sked (bass, brass bass); Josh Duffee (drums).