The Classic Jazz Party @ The Village Hotel, North Tyneside - Nov. 5 (evening)

The final session of this year's Classic Jazz Party began with the second of two solo piano spots. This being Guy Fawkes it was fitting pianist Andrew Oliver was on hand to set sparks flying in a set comprising a few rarities from Willie 'The Lion' Smith, James P Johnson and others. Our man from Portland, Oregon well and truly lit the blue touch paper and it was over to Jazz Party debutant Jan Kaiser to keep the flame burning in a set directed by Claus Jacobi. Trumpeter Kaiser shared the stage with pianist A .Oliver, Michael McQuaid and Jacobi (reeds), Martin Wheatley (banjo and guitar) and Jazz Party favourite Malcolm Sked playing tuba.

Johnny Dodds on Chicago's South Side promised to swing like crazy and in a set lead by Matthias Seuffert it delivered big time. Sharing front line duties with Torstein Kubban (trumpet) and Alistair Allan (trombone) Seuffert swung it ably supported by Andrew Oliver, the Frenchmen Félix Hunot (banjo, guitar) and Henry Lemaire (string bass) and, cleaning up at the back, Nick Ward (washboard). 

When a little naughtiness is called for, call Spats Langham! Listen to the 'Banned' entertained a full house, hanging on every word from Ukulele Ike, Harry Roy and others. Langham's naughty boys - Seuffert, Wheatley and Sked - left the stage to great applause. Funny old world, eh? 

And so to the grand finale...Sensation Stomp - Paul Whiteman & his Orchestra. Something like twenty three musicians took to the stage to play the charts of Bill Challis and Ferde Grofé as written for Paul Whiteman. Set leader Claus Jacobi made good use of the late Keith Nichols' library to bring to life the music of one of the most famous of the era. Josh Duffee picked up the baton to direct the ensemble, suffice to say, the finale was a roaring success! 

And that was that, except for the little matter of another late night in the bar. Yes, the third and final jam session was a last chance for musicians and audience to blow, cheer and holler with demob-happy abandon. Two late nights done, we were still standing, one more to go. The hotel bar was packed, ties untied, jackets off, beers in hand, smiles, it had all the makings. Instruments were picked up and swopped - who knew he/she played that instrument?! It was all good fun, some seriously good playing and a surprise or two. 

A young man from these here parts had brought along his 'bone, hoping he might get the nod. After a while, the gracious Alistair Allan, trombone slung over his arm, wandered over: You've got your horn. You want to play? Our man, that's Showtime, didn't need to be asked twice! Up jumped David Gray and there he was, blowing with A. Allan of Classic Jazz Party fame. Fantastic! And then there was Félix Hunot, banjo virtuoso, leaping to his feet to take a vocal - how good was that?! 

Gone midnight out on the street the fireworks were petering out, here in the Village Hotel bar it was an altogether different matter. Jack Calloway (clarinet) attempted to blow the roof off, John Youngs of Tenement Jazz Band fame sat in, swapping banjo licks with Martin Wheatley and others, and then there was Nicolle Rochelle and many, many others. Yes, it was a star-studded farewell to the 2023 Classic Jazz Party. Same time, same place next year, that's Nov. 1 - 3, 2024. Russell (all photos from jam session.)