MIKE DURHAM’S WHITLEY BAY CLASSIC JAZZ PARTY – Programme

Programme for this year's fantastic event: (Booking details)

THURSDAY 3rd November

21.30 – 22.30   Welcome Concert – The Union Revival Kings and Friends

‘Early Birds’ arriving today will be welcomed by this international line-up led by Bent Persson – a taste of the top-flight music you’ll be hearing for the next three days. Bent Persson (trumpet); Alistair Allan (trombone); Lars Frank (reeds); Emma Fisk (violin); Morten Gunnar Larsen (piano); Jacob Ullberger (banjo, guitar); Claus Jacobi (bass saxophone).

FRIDAY 4th November

12.00 – 12.30   Tribute to Mike

As always, the Party begins with a session dedicated to Mike Durham, whose devotion to jazz inspired him to form bands of great musical taste. Above all, he has given classic jazz a solid status on our national music scene. Keith Nichols leads: Rico Tomasso (trumpet); Alistair Allan (trombone); Thomas Winteler (reeds); Keith Nichols (piano); Spats Langham (banjo, guitar); Phil Rutherford (brass bass); Richard Pite (drums).

12.30 – 13.30   Litton’s Morton

No major event would be complete without compositions by the flamboyant Ferdinand “Jelly-Roll” Morton, and Martin Litton has been, for many years, our most distinguished scholar and exponent of Morton’s musical legacy. Duke Heitger (trumpet); Graham Hughes (trombone); Robert Fowler, Jean-François Bonnel (reeds); Martin Litton (piano); Martin Wheatley (banjo, guitar); Malcolm Sked (bass); Nicholas Ball (drums).

13.30 – 14.00   Emma’s Hot Club Jazz

French violinist Stephan Grappelly was originally inspired by Joe Venuti; but his partnership with the erratic genius Django Reinhardt created something totally new: the first jazz style to arise outside the U.S.A! Emma Fisk (violin); Spats Langham, Jacob Ullberger (guitars); Henry Lemaire (bass).

14.00 – 14.30   Bix and his Gang - 1927

In 1927 and 1928, while working with large and highly-arranged bands, Bix Beiderbecke was offered several recording sessions under his own name. He used a six-piece outfit that gave more freedom for improvisation, as you will hear in this session, led by Andy Schumm on cornet,  with Jim Fryer (trombone); Lars Frank (clarinet); Dave Boeddinghaus (piano); Robert Fowler (bass saxophone); Josh Duffee (drums).

14.30 – 15.30   Clarence Williams Bands

Pianist, composer and publisher Clarence Williams recorded prolifically from 1921 onwards, using several different formats. The most enduring one (1927 - 1937) was the washboard band. Claus Jacobi is the foremost specialist in Williams’ music, so Q.E.D. Bent Persson (trumpet); Claus Jacobi, Jean-François Bonnel (reeds); Morten Gunnar Larsen (piano); Gunther Andernach (washboard). Vocals by Mellow Baku.

15.30 – 16.00   Library of Congress – Volume 3

Martin Litton and Spats Langham again re-enact parts of interviews with Jelly-Roll Morton, made by Alan Lomax in 1938 for the U.S. Library of Congress. These recordings have provided vital insight into the early development of jazz.  

16.00 – 17.00   The Chicagoans

Menno Daams is one of Europe’s most distinguished jazz composers and musicians. He excels in all styles, and this set demonstrates the crucial importance played by Chicago in the evolution of our music. Menno Daams (trumpet); Alistair Allan (trombone); Thomas Winteler, Richard Exall (reeds); Dave Boeddinghaus (piano); Martin Wheatley (banjo, guitar); Graham Hughes (bass, brass bass); Josh Duffee (drums). Vocals by Janice Day.

Dinner

19.30 – 20.00   Hot Strings

Any attempt to describe what you may hear on this session would be futile. The sounds and musical styles Martin Wheatley and Spats Langham will produce from their many stringed instruments is so wide ranging, and so impeccably played, that you must simply hear it for yourself.  

20.00 – 21.00   Stomp off, Let’s go!

Many bands which were famous in Chicago in their day are now little known. For example, at the Vendome Theatre on South State Street was an orchestra which primarily played the accompaniments to movies – but also recorded red-hot jazz, such as the title number of this session! Keith Nichols directs from the piano:

Andy Schumm, Duke Heitger (trumpets); Jim Fryer (trombone); Robert Fowler, Lars Frank, Richard Exall (reeds); Spats Langham (banjo, guitar); Phil Rutherford (brass bass); Nicholas Ball (drums). Vocals by Mellow Baku. Gunther Andernach guests on washboard.

21.00 – 21.30   Annette Hanshaw. “That’s all!”

Annette Hanshaw recorded many delightful sides between 1926 and 1933. Janice Day is the pre-eminent performer in white vocal styles of the 1920s and 1930s, and often works with Martin Litton as accompanist and arranger. Also here are Emma Fisk (violin); Jean-François Bonnel (reeds); Martin Wheatley (banjo, guitar); Malcolm Sked (bass, brass bass).

21.30 – 22.00   New Orleans Wanderers

In July 1926, eight wonderful Columbia sides were made in Chicago by Louis Armstrong’s Hot Five - but without Louis, because he was individually contracted to the OKeh label. George Mitchell replaced him, and a saxophone was added. Thomas Winteler leads  Bent Persson (cornet); Graham Hughes (trombone); Claus Jacobi (reeds); Morten Gunnar Larsen (piano); Jacob Ullberger (banjo).

22.00 – 23.00   The Music of Alex Hill

Pianist, composer and arranger Alex Hill is almost forgotten today. Alas, after a career which flourished increasingly from 1922 to 1935, he died of tuberculosis when only 30 years old. Menno has specially prepared this highly significant review of Hill’s work. Menno Daams, Rico Tomasso, Duke Heitger (trumpets); Alistair Allan, Jim Fryer (trombones); Robert Fowler, Lars Frank, Jean-François Bonnel, Richard Exall (reeds); Dave Boeddinghaus (piano); Spats Langham (guitar, vocal); Henry Lemaire (bass); Richard Pite (drums).  

           

23.00 and onwards   Victory Pub Jam

Relax and unwind after the first day of the Party – or, if you prefer, have a ball! – as Josh Duffee leads an informal session with Janice Day, plus Andy Schumm (cornet); Alistair Allan (trombone); Robert Fowler (reeds); Keith Nichols (piano); Martin Wheatley (banjo, guitar); Malcolm Sked (bass, brass bass).

SATURDAY 5th November.

12.00 – 12.30   Famous Duos

A novel start to the second day of the Party! Bent Persson and Keith Nichols recreate the 1930 Louis Armstrong – Buck Washington “Dear Old Southland”. Emma Fisk and Martin Wheatley give you the scintillating Venuti-Lang duet “Wild Cat”. Mellow Baku and Dave Boeddinghaus perform a Bessie Smith classic, while Andy Schumm and Martin Litton show how Bix Beiderbecke’s immortal “In a Mist” might have sounded with Bix on both cornet and piano… 

12.30 – 13.30   Fats Waller’s Rhythm

It has been some time since the joyous swing of Fats Waller and his Rhythm has been commemorated at this Jazz Party, so ‘The Old Maestro’ Keith Nichols and his boys will put that to rights. Menno Daams (trumpet); Jim Fryer (trombone); Robert Fowler (reeds); Keith Nichols (piano, vocal); Spats Langham (guitar); Malcolm Sked (bass); Josh Duffee (drums).

13.30 – 14.30   Following Louis

Three of the world’s best trumpet players will demonstrate some of the aspects of the genius of Louis Armstrong at different times in his long and inspired career. Rico – who, as a youngster, met Louis and was inspired by him, directs. Rico Tomasso, Duke Heitger, Bent Persson (trumpets); Alistair Allan (trombone); Thomas Winteler (reeds); Dave Boeddinghaus (piano); Henry Lemaire (banjo, guitar); Graham Hughes (bass); Nicholas Ball (drums).

14.30 – 15.30   New York and Mellow

Mellow Baku’s talents extend far beyond her wonderful vocal abilities. A writer and poet of deep feeling, she has received enthusiastic reviews from distinguished critics. She has recently performed in New York and many European countries. Mellow is accompanied by Menno Daams (trumpet); Richard Exall (reeds); Martin Litton (piano); Henry Lemaire (bass); Richard Pite (drums).

15.30 – 16.00   Fiddlesticks – Emma and her Boyfriends

Emma’s new group ‘Hot Club du Nord’ specialises in the music of Reinhardt-Grappelly, but this session is largely based on numbers associated with the great Joe Venuti. Emma Fisk (violin) with Rico Tomasso (trumpet); Jean-François Bonnel (reeds); Dave Boddinghaus (piano); Martin Wheatley (guitar); Malcolm Sked (bass); Josh Duffee (drums).

16.00 – 17.00   Western Swing

Emma and Martin Wheatley remain on stage for an hour of Western Swing. Last year’s pioneering session was a great success. This musical style was little known in this country until recently. Indeed, its increasing popularity is largely due to the efforts of Martin himself. He leads an ensemble of: Spats Langham, Jacob Ullberger (guitar, banjo); Emma Fisk (violin); Andy Schumm, Menno Daams (trumpets); Claus Jacobi, Lars Frank (reeds); Keith Nichols (accordion); Morten Gunnar Larsen (piano); Richard Pite (bass); Nicholas Ball (drums). Vocals by Janice Day.

Dinner.

19.00 – 20.00   Peer Gynt.  Music of the Fjords

Something completely new for the Party. Leader Claus Jacobi has made arrangements of Edvard Grieg’s 1874 music for Peer Gynt, a play written earlier by Ibsen. The two Peer Gynt suites have been enormously popular ever since. But the treatment you will hear is unique! Claus Jacobi, Lars Frank (reeds); Graham Hughes (trombone); Morten Gunnar Larsen (piano); Jacob Ullberger (guitar); Robert Fowler (bass saxophone); Josh Duffee (drums).  

20.00 – 21.00   Jazz in Los Angeles

Jazz on the West Coast was always subtly different – and always very good. To show this, Keith and Claus have prepared special charts of numbers by the Spikes brothers, who were musicians, composers and publishers, as well as by Paul Howard. Many of Howard’s original charts were by Alex Hill – so there’s a link to yesterday’s Hill Tribute. Andy Schumm, Rico Tomasso (trumpets); Alistair Allan (trombone); Claus Jacobi, Richard Exall, Jean-François Bonnel (reeds); Emma Fisk (violin); Keith Nichols (piano); Martin Wheatley (banjo, guitar); Phil Rutherford (brass bass); Nicholas Ball (drums).

21.00 – 22.00   Songbirds

By popular request, Janice and Mellow appear together once more. Their complementary styles will bring you much pleasure. Martin Litton leads the accompaniment from the piano, with Malcolm Sked (bass) and Richard Pite (drums).

22.00 – 23.00   The Don Redman Orchestra

Josh Duffee leads this ensemble, which will play Don Redman arrangements. Redman made these for the Fletcher Henderson band, McKinney’s Cotton Pickers and later his own band, which he led from 1931-1940. During that time, he was also making arrangements for many other bands including Jimmy Dorsey, Count Basie and Harry James. Rico Tomasso, Menno Daams, Duke Heitger (trumpets); Jim Fryer (trombone); Robert Fowler, Lars Frank, Jean-François Bonnel (reeds); Dave Boeddinghaus (piano); Jacob Ullberger (guitar); Henry Lemaire (bass); Josh Duffee (drums).

23.00 and onwards   Victory Pub Jam

Thomas Winteler, the great exponent of Sidney Bechet’s music, presides over your second late-hour jam session – there will be plenty of excitement for all! Bent Persson (trumpet); Graham Hughes (trombone); Thomas Winteler, Richard Exall (reeds); Martin Litton (piano); Jacob Ullberger (banjo, guitar); Phil Rutherford (brass bass); Nicholas Ball (drums); Gunther Andernach (washboard).

SUNDAY 6th November.

12.00 – 12.30   Nicholas D. Ball’s Anniversatile Four

Dance bands in the U.K. evolved in a unique way. From about 1912 there were small ragtime bands for dancing, consisting of two banjos, piano and drums, to provide plenty of rhythm. Over time, melody instruments were added, until, about 1920, the modern dance band had emerged. This session is, very definitely, A FIRST! Claus Jacobi (saxophone); Morten Gunnar Larsen (piano); Spats Langham (banjo); Martin Wheatley (banjo, or banjo-mandolin); Nicholas Ball (drums).

12.30 – 13.30   Jack Hylton plays Hot!

This large orchestra is absolutely necessary to put over the power and scope of Jack Hylton’s band in its prime. You’ll thrill to the majestic sweep of the brass and reeds, propelled by the unobtrusive but powerful rhythm section! Keith Nichols leads from the piano. Rico Tomasso, Duke Heitger, Andy Schumm (trumpets); Jim Fryer, Alistair Allen (trombones); Robert Fowler, Lars Frank, Jean-François Bonnel, Richard Exall (reeds); Emma Fisk, Dawn Allen, Jessica Graham (violins); Keith Nichols (piano); Martin Wheatley (banjo); Malcolm Sked (bass); Richard Pite (drums). Vocals by Janice Day and Spats Langham.

13.30 – 14.00   Hoagy

By contrast, a smaller group is required to convey the subtle, gem-like melodic turns that characterise Hoagy Carmichael’s compositions. Like Willard Robison, Hoagy always embodied a strong element of Americana in his works: one might say the white colonial-style church and the scent of wood-smoke in autumn are never far away. Menno leads Richard Exall (reeds); Dave Boeddinghaus (piano); Martin Wheatley (guitar); Graham Hughes (bass); Josh Duffee (drums).  

14.00 – 15.00   Chocolate Dandies

Claus Jacobi directs a tribute to the bands of this name; there were actually three incarnations of it. First, it was simply McKinney’s Cotton Pickers ‘moonlighting’ for the OKeh company in 1928. But later the cream of the Harlem talent was used. Andy Schumm, Menno Daams (trumpets); Jim Fryer (trombone); Claus Jacobi, Robert Fowler, Jean-François Bonnel (reeds); Morten Gunnar Larsen (piano); Jacob Ullberger (guitar); Phil Rutherford (brass bass); Nicholas Ball (drums).  

15.00 – 15.30   Duke Heitger’s Rhythmagicians

Diligent enquiries have been made regarding the possible content of this session, but even Keith Nichols doesn’t know. However, rest assured that Duke, an ever-welcome visitor to our shores, will provide you with some very fine jazz music. With Duke are: Alistair Allen (trombone); Lars Frank (reeds); Dave Boeddinghaus (piano); Henry Lemaire (guitar); Malcolm Sked (bass); Josh Duffee (drums).

15.30 – 16.00   Henry Red Allen small groups

The 1930s is often called the era of the Big Band. But smaller bands fared well too. Mostly on juke boxes, there were hundreds of sides; every label had its own small swing band. Banner (later Vocalion) had Henry Red Allen. Bent Persson leads a celebration of this rather neglected music with Graham Hughes (trombone); Lars Frank (clarinet); Richard Exall (saxes); Martin Litton (piano); Martin Wheatley (guitar); Henry Lemaire (bass); Richard Pite (drums).  

16.00 – 17.00   Winteler meets Bonnel

Two-reed front lines suggest Jimmy Noone’s Apex Club and the Mezzrow-Bechet sessions of the mid-1940s. There’s sure to be some of that, but the talents of these two superb musicians will enable many other things too! Thomas Winteler, Jean-François Bonnel (reeds); Morten Gunnar Larsen (piano); Malcolm Sked (bass); Josh Duffee (drums).          

 Dinner.

19.30 – 20.30   The Keith Nichols Ragtime Orchestra

Keith revisits authentic ragtime – one of his oldest loves. Played ‘from the dots’, you’ll hear renditions of pieces well over a century old. Truly a reminder of the Belle Époque; and perhaps this music was the most important ingredient in the origin of jazz? Keith Nichols directing: Andy Schumm (cornet); Alistair Allan (trombone); Robert Fowler (reeds); Emma Fisk (violin); Morten Gunnar Larsen (piano); Spats Langham (banjo); Richard Pite (bass, brass bass); Nicolas Ball (drums). 

20.30 – 21.30   Smack and Louis

In the autumn of 1924, Louis Armstrong left Chicago for New York, and spent a year playing in Fletcher Henderson’s orchestra. That already highly organised band was galvanised by Louis’ spectacular solos, while Louis, for his part, became a consummate bandsman. Claus Jacobi directs: Rico Tomasso, Andy Schumm, Bent Persson (trumpets); Graham Hughes (trombone); Claus Jacobi, Lars Frank, Jean-François Bonnel (reeds); Martin Litton (piano); Jacob Ullberger (banjo); Phil Rutherford (brass bass); Josh Duffee (drums).

           

21.30 – 22.00   Bent’s Hot Jazz Trio plus Two

As a contrast to written ensemble, Bent, Claus and Jacob remain on stage with friends, for a more informal set. We have no idea of the repertoire Bent will choose; but what is certain, the session will be of the highest quality! Bent Persson (trumpet); Jacob Ullberger (banjo, guitar); Claus Jacobi (bass saxophone), plus Thomas Winteler (reeds) and Morten Gunnar Larsen (piano).

22.00 – 23.00   The Nichols-Duffee International Jazz Orchestra

With a strong U.S. contingent, plus Jean-François from France and Lars from Norway, this truly is an international outfit. And, just as it did last year, the repertoire Keith and Josh have selected will provide a fitting climax to this excellent Jazz Party. By the way, Josh comes from Davenport, Iowa, while Keith comes from near the Wanstead Flats. Rico Tomasso, Duke Heitger, Andy Schumm (trumpets); Jim Fryer, Alistair Allen (trombones); Robert Fowler, Lars Frank, Jean-François Bonnel, Richard Exall (reeds); Keith Nichols (piano); Spats Langham (guitar); Malcolm Sked (bass); Josh Duffee (drums). Vocals by Janice Day.

23.00 and onwards   Victory Pub Jam

The ‘Early Birds’ among you have been listening to fine jazz since Thursday. Now is your opportunity to be a ‘Late Bird too’– come to that, another highly appropriate term for this final, triumphant jam session. We hope to see you all again at next year’s Mike Durham’s Whitley Bay Classic Jazz Party! Duke Heitger (trumpet) presides, with Jim Fryer (trombone); Claus Jacobi (reeds); Dave Boeddinghaus (piano); Henry Lemaire (bass); Richard Pite (drums). Vocals by Mellow Baku.