Saturday evening opened with the first of this year's Piano Professor sets. At the Kawai grand, Morten Gunnar Larsen. Most recently heard at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival as a guest of the all-conquering Tenement Jazz Band, Larsen presented a masterclass in rags, stomps and numbers from the Caribbean and South America. In a brief ceremony, the 2023 Classic Jazz Party Young Talent Award was presented to David Hermlin. Graciously accepting the honour, we would be hearing more from the Berlin based musician later in the evening.
A King Oliver Centenary ensured yet another attentive, full house. Claus Jacobi is a King Oliver specialist and this hour long set completed his series of concerts celebrating Joseph Nathan 'King' Oliver. The repertoire is well known, however, this being the Classic Jazz Party the focus of this session was on the unfamiliar - Oliver's unissued sides. Three of the Jazz Party's American heavyweights were deployed - Messrs. Andy Schumm (cornet), Dan Barrett (trombone), Andrew Oliver (piano) - making for a great set.
Wail of the Five Birmingham Babies presented the California Ramblers in disguise. David Horniblow led the session playing bass sax (adopting the role of Adrian Rollini minus the hot fountain pen and goofus!). Another three US hot shots were drafted in in the form of New Yorker Mike Davis (trumpet), from the Crescent City, pianist David Boeddinghaus and from Davenport, Iowa, the brilliant Josh Duffee (drums).
Paris based actor/singer Nicolle Rochelle reunited with Claus Jacobi to present Young Woman's Blues. Bessie Smith's early vocals with Clarence Williams formed the basis of their set, Jacobi assisted by Mauro Porro in the reeds, drummer Richard Pite swapping his kit and skulls for tuba, the lean Nick Ward behind the traps. Ms Rochelle is a favourite here at the Village Hotel, whatever she turns her hand to, it's with the Midas touch.
In the early thirties Louis Armstrong spent several months performing and recording under a Californian sun. Trumpeter, indeed, Armstrong specialist, Rico Tomasso presented Memories of Louis in California. Working with an international, all-star, twelve piece band, the hugely popular Tomasso succeeded in bringing to life the music - trumpet and vocals - of perhaps the most famous name in jazz, Mr Louis Armstrong. A great set met with a great reception.
And that was it. Not quite! The second of three late night jam sessions was about to begin in the hotel bar. A first row table reserved, the first of more than a couple of pints of Guinness (it takes an age to pour Ireland's national beer), the house band, led by Mike Davis (trumpet), played a few numbers before opening the floor to a succession of wonderfully talented sitters-in. They came from far and wide - Bristol, London, North America, South America - and each and every one of them played a blinder. From Bristol, the rabble-rousing Jack Calloway (clarinet) impressed, as did the Pickerings - that's Magus (trumpet, pictured) and Daniel (trombone) - of the Windy City Weatherbirds. And then there was the Young Talent Award winner, David Hermlin. A fantastic drummer, tap dancer and more, it was way past silly o'clock when the lights went up. It would soon be time for breakfast... Russell
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