(Preview by Russell)
One month from today (October 1st) the 2019 edition of Mike Durham's International Classic Jazz Party will be under way on North Tyneside. Musicians from around the globe will gather for three days of non-stop jazz beginning at noon on Friday, November 1st.
There is a truly international element to the festival established in 1990 by the late Mike Durham which, in those days, was known as the Whitley Bay Jazz Festival. In recent years both format and venue have changed; the convention of programming a series of bands has been replaced by a series of concert-themed performances drawing upon the expertise of more than thirty musicians resident across the weekend.
From America come trumpeters Andy Schumm, Mike Davis and Duke Heitger, David Horniblow, reeds, Dave Bock, trombone, pianists David Boeddinghaus and Andrew Oliver, drummer Josh Duffee and vocalist Joan Viskant. The European contingent boasts trumpeters Torstein Kubban and Malo Mazurié, the reedsmen Matthias Seuffert, Claus Jacobi, Lars Frank and Stéphane Gillot, pianist Morten Gunnar Larsen, Jacob Ullberger, Henry Lemaire and Felix Hunot, guitar and banjo (Lemaire doubling on string bass).
The virtuosi will arrive in the week of the festival for an intensive rehearsal period. Concert performances will include Jelly Roll Morton 'in other bands' and 'rare Jelly', Clarence Williams, Jimmie Noone. Jean Goldkette 'before Bix', Goofus Five, Bunny Berigan and 'Music from the Weimar Republic'. The American and European musicians will, of course, be joined by an equally illustrious British contingent; Rico Tomasso, trumpet, Richard Exall, reeds, 'bone men Alistair Allan and Graham Hughes, pianist Martin Litton, Martin Wheatley and Spats Langham, guitars (and banjos!), string bassists Malcolm Sked, Phil Rutherford and Richard Pite (Sked and Pite doubling on brass bass), drummers Pite, Nick Ball and Nick Ward, and violinist Emma Fisk. Last but by no means least, London based Aussie reedsman Michael McQuaid, a key figure helping to shape the future of the Classic Jazz Party.
In addition to set-piece concerts there will be late night jam sessions into the early hours and a hugely popular CD, vinyl and book stall. And if you're a dancer then this event is made for you!
The four star Village Hotel is no more than a Buddy Bolden blast from West Allotment. Perhaps a better marker is Whitley Bay. Access to and from Newcastle city centre couldn't be easier - bus no. 309 (from Haymarket) stops right outside the hotel's front door and the Metro (Tyne and Wear's rapid transit rail network) calls at nearby Northumberland Park from which bus no. 19 drops off at the hotel. If you're feeling energetic why not walk it (fifteen minutes max)?
Weekend tickets are selling fast. As of today (October 1st) just 21 three-day tickets remain on sale. They won't last long, don't hang around. World class musicians, superb jazz, all for £160. Don't delay, book now! Visit: www.whitleybayjazzfest.com
Russell.
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