Sunday
Afternoon - Nov. 3
(Review by Lance)
Mike Durham’s
Classic Jazz Party is unique - even six years after Mike’s death it continues
to go from strength to strength thanks to Patti Durham and her team of
dedicated helpers. Yes it’s unique, not just in the northeast but also in the
UK – maybe even in the world.
There’s no
shortage of jazz festivals – for that is what this party is - sometimes it seems as though there’s one every
week. Less than a month ago we had the Newcastle Festival of Jazz and
Improvised Music 2019 which focused, by and large, on tomorrow’s world.
This past weekend’s
extravaganza down at the coast focused on yesterday’s world and yet, such was
the enthusiasm and dedication displayed, it came across as very much a part of today’s
world.
I only
managed a brief visit this year which is somewhat embarrassing as I live but a
few miles away and the sold-out party/festival included fans from Scandinavia,
USA, Israel, Southampton and Hartlepool.
Likewise, the pool of musicians who performed in a variety of permutations came from equally diverse
locations - all steeped in the idiom of the first half of the last century. Most of them are regular
visitors and, as such, the fans have their own favourites, For example, when
bassist Malcolm Sked’s name is announced the roar from the crowd is second only
to that that used to erupt in the Leazes’ End when Alan Shearer put one in the
top corner.
The highlight of
my short visit was Enrico Tomasso’s tribute to Bunny Berigan. Being au fait with many of the numbers played via a couple of LPs of Bunny's –
including the Joe Lipman transcriptions of Bix’s piano pieces – I was delighted
at how well they recreated the originals.
And, of course, no tribute to Berigan
can escape without I Can’t Get Started.
I’ve probably heard the song 100 times by 100 trumpet players and Enrico’s
version didn’t fall short.
Prior to the latter
set, Martin Wheatley led a set that took a look at the various dance crazes of the ‘Jazz
Age’. To add to the ambience Jonathan and Bridget demonstrated the moves.
The party is back
again next year (Oct. 30-Nov. 1) and, already, the bookings are coming in!
Lance
1 comment :
Memorable performance by Enrico and company on that Sunday afternoon, but a very special jam session on that Sunday night that included three playing the drums simultaneously and two on the piano as well and another 17 musicians roared on swinging in what was a magical jam session.
Post a Comment