(Review by Russell)
Seven sets in five hours on one stage. Musicians took
to the stage, and vacated it, in good time, ensuring events ran to schedule.
Star names appeared in a mind boggling number of combos. Some, at the
conclusion of a set, stepped off the stand for a minute or two before resuming
their place in the brass, reeds or rhythm sections. The function suite’s
acoustics enabled the guitarists to play acoustically – and be heard – in a variety
of settings. Grand piano, a vintage percussion assemblage, string and brass
bass instruments stage right and left, Mike Durham’s Classic Jazz Party ran
like clockwork.
The Union Rhythm Kings stomped-off at noon led by Frans Sjöström. Humpty Dumpty, Bill Challis’ arrangement
of Jelly Roll’s Crocodile Cradle and
a hot Clarinet Marmalade made for an
impressive start. Bent Persson, Kris Kompen, Lars Frank and the ‘boys’ (the
youthful Nicholas Ball qualifies, likewise Kompen) met with a great reception from
a full house.
Orange Blossoms pollinated, the Casa Loma Orchestra bloomed. The exceptional talent that is Josh
Duffee put together a ten piece band to explore the legacy of Jean Goldkette’s
swing band. Percussionist Duffee seemingly popped up in every other set. This
one, a full hour’s worth of great music, featured an ace line-up: trumpeters
Andy Schumm and Duke Heitger, reeds men Michael McQuaid, Matthias Seuffert and
Robert Fowler, Kompen and the N’Awlins pianist David Boeddinghaus working with
the Duffee-led rhythm section of Martin Wheatley (guitar) and the ebullient
Richard Pite (bass). The tuxedoed Duffee gave an authoritative account of the
genesis and development of the Casa Loma band, the early years the golden
period: Stompin’ Around, Dance of the Lame Duck and the
piano-vocals duet featuring Janice Day on Moanin’
Low. Duffee spoke warmly of his now annual visit to the Classic Jazz Party
saying: the talent and quality is 150%
the whole time!
Seagoon Serenders and Men
of the World promised who knows what? Keith Nichols – mastermind of the
first set, accordion-playing court jester to the latter – worked alongside
Michael McQuaid (cornet & reeds), Thomas Winteler (reeds), Emma Fisk
(violin), Spats Langham (banjo and vocals), Janice Day and, on a couple of
numbers, the fine string bass player Malcolm Sked. Add Claus Jacobi, Morton
Gunnar Larsen, Henry Lemaire (guitar and banjo) and sousaphone maestro Phil
Rutherford to the cast list and it became a game of musical chairs. The Mooche a highlight, so too Richard Piccolo Pete Pite!
In describing Duke Heitger as an amiable guy the same
applies to Andy Schumm. A Bix disciple, What
Bix could have played – Volume 2 gave the American every excuse (as if one
were needed!) to revisit last year’s session focusing on tunes Beiderbecke
played but never recorded. And what a line-up!... Schumm, Kompen, McQuaid,
Boeddinghaus, Sjöström and Duffee. Wolverine
Blues, digging back to the Original Dixieland Jazz Band, Driftwood and more – a great set.
Thomas Winteler plays Bechet closed the entertainment marathon. Hot
isn’t the word! Joining Winteler: Bent Persson, trumpet, Graham Hughes, trombone,
Morton Gunnar Larsen, piano, Jacob Ullberger, banjo, Frans Sjöström, bass
saxophone, Henry Lemaire, bass and
percussionist Nicholas Ball. Muskrat
Ramble, Blues in the Air to When You and I Were Young, Maggie to Lady Luck and more. Thomas Winteler was
Sidney Bechet!
Russell.
Russell.
1 comment :
I didn't see you there Wor Russell! Hope you enjoyed it.
Emma x
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