Determination was called for today - roadworks, delayed Metro, wet weather all combined to make this very much a labour of love!
However, once settled and listening to bass saxophonist Frans Sröjströn relate in words and music the bizarre life of trumpeter Jack Purvis played here by Bent Persson, all the traumas were forgotten! Purvis, apart from being an excellent trumpet player, was also a conman, burglar, gunrunner and frequent prison inmate. Sröjströn interspersed the stories with the music in an entertaining manner.
Last year the vocal department featured Cécile McLorin Salvant and Daryl Sherman, this year it was Janice Day who avoided comparision with her predecessors by drawing on a repertoire from an earlier era - that of Ruth Etting and Annette Hanshaw. Keith Nichols compered and played piano with a band comprised of Menno Daems (tpt); Graham Hughes (tmb); Mauro Porro (reeds); Emma Fisk (vln); Keith Nichols (pno); Martin Wheatley (bjo/gtr); Malcolm Sked (bs); Richard Pite (dms).
Ms Day captured the era perfectly.
Clarinetitis paid tribute to Johnny Dodds in a session that, at times, featured 3 banjos and a washboard!
A cracking set and when Enrico Tomasso took centre stage - his trumpet seemed to literally lift the already musically elevated ensemble even higher. Banjos? Bring 'em on!
Later, whilst manning the Book and CD stall (talk about a kid in a sweet shop!) regular Jazz Party visitor from Highgate, Ruth Hazeldine, stated that you hear better New Orleans jazz in Whitley Bay than you do in New Orleans!
Lance.
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