(Preview by Russell).
Over many years trumpet player Mike Durham established the Whitley Bay Jazz Festival as the pre-eminent 'classic jazz' era festival this side of the Atlantic. In his memory, Mike Durham's Classic Jazz Party continues to lead the way with a galaxy of American, British and European jazz musicians descending annually on North Tyneside. This year's festival begins at noon on Friday (Nov 2) at the Village Hotel and runs non-stop through to late on Sunday.
FRIDAY
Fittingly, the opening session - Tribute to Mike - stomps off with ace American trumpeter Duke Heitger leading an Anglo-American small group (12 noon). From there on in it's a fast and furious schedule of half hour or one-hour sets featuring a dazzling array of talent.
Friday alone sees seven sets during the afternoon with a further five evening sets and then there is a late night jam session going on into the early hours! Every set is top class, but try these for example;
Jack Pettis - Forgotten Saxophone Player looks at the work of John Baber 'Jack' Pettis in the 1920s. Aussie Michael McQuaid (reeds) heads a line-up including first time American CJP visitor Dan Levinson (reeds) and local hero tuba man Phil Rutherford.
Jean Goldkette - After Bix is drummer Josh Duffee's affectionate tip-of-the-hat to the Goldkette band post-Beiderbecke.
Americans in Paris surveys the French capital's 1930s jazz scene. American pianist David Boeddinghaus directs an all-European cast including the brilliant young French trumpeter Malo Mazurie, Matthias Seuffert (reeds) alongside the wonderful vocalist Nicolle Rochelle.
It's eleven at night. You're still standing? Right, make your way into the hotel's Victory Pub for a late night jam session!
SATURDAY
Wakey! Wakey! The CD stall is open for business from 10am. Alright, have a lie-in, but not too late as the action resumes at noon.
Morten Gunnar-Larsen's Ophelia Ragtime Orchestra worked with Eubie Blake. Here at the Village Hotel, the Norwegian pianist enlists the help of some of his fellow CJP participants to revisit those far off days. Jamie Brownfield (trumpet) and Richard Exall (reeds) are but two of the conscripts (on parade at 1pm).
At two o'clock maestro Keith Nichols asks the question - What would Buddy Bolden's Band sound like? Good question! Andy Schumm (cornet) is but one who'll try to come up with an answer.
Saturday's evening session offers five sets before you retire to the Victory Pub for another jam session (11pm).
At eight o'clock Chicago Clarinets pays tribute to Dodds, Noone, Simeon and Russell. Andy Schumm and Matthias Seuffert lead, the ebullient Ewan Bleach (reeds), Duke Heitger (trumpet) and an ace rhythm section, fall in.
At ten, Claus Jacobi takes a look at Ellington in the 30s. Brownfield, Heitger and Mazurie sit in the trumpet section, genial American 'bone man Jim Fryer plays his part, Nick Ward occupies the drum stool and Ms Rochelle sings.
SUNDAY
Yes, you've guessed it...Wakey! Wakey! The CD stall will take your hard-earned from ten, and Andy Schumm (comb) will scrub up, with a neat parting in his hair, at noon to recreate the sound (and look!) of Red McKenzie in a Mound City Blue Blowers' set.
At 1pm, stand by...The History of Hot Drumming will do what it says on the tin. Four virtuosi - Messrs. Richard Pite, Nicholas D Ball, Nick Ward and Josh Duffee - could steal the show with this set, and, for good measure, Enrico Tomasso (trumpet) is in on it.
A half-hour set at 9:30pm - Spat's Band - will prove, once and for all, if proof were needed, that the banjo, in the hands of Spats Langham, is a bona fide jazz instrument. Our other local star, Emma Fisk (violin), sits-in.
The grand finale to the 2018 Classic Jazz Party is a real set-piece affair. The Nichols-Duffee Chick Webb Orchestra will pay homage to drummer Chick Webb, and who better to do so than the brilliant Josh Duffee? Another all-star line-up, what a way to end a fabulous weekend of jazz!
Oh, yes, don't go just yet, there is a third and final late night jam session in the Victory Pub.
For tickets email: wbjazzfest@btinternet.com
Weekend ticket: £160
Day ticket: £55
The Village Hotel is conveniently situated just off the A19, bus no. 309 from Haymarket, Newcastle stops outside the venue, and bus no. 19 serves Northumberland Park Metro station.
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