The Classic Jazz Party @ The Village Hotel, North Tyneside - Nov. 3 (evening)

Friday evening's programme began with something a little different. Michel 'Doc' Bastide made a welcome return to North Tyneside to present A Selection of Rare Jazz Films from his extensive collection of movie rarities. There would be three opportunities - Friday evening, Saturday morning, Sunday morning - to attend a screening and the demand was such that each 'house' would be over subscribed. A rare treat indeed.

Richard Pite's Party Pieces presented a miscellany of melodic mischief with six musical marvels. A fun way to start the evening's entertainment. From Pite's melodic mischief to a long overdue look at the work of the little-known saxophonist Loren McMurray. The Saxophone of Loren McMurray occupied much of Michael McQuaid's time researching, transcribing and, here at the Village Hotel, finally presenting the music of McMurray to an attentive full house. 

Runnin' Wild - the Benny Goodman Trio couldn't fail to deliver the goods. The music of the ever-popular BG trio wows the punters every time and here at the CJP, making his festival debut, Lorenzo Baldasso charmed his audience. A contemporary of fellow countryman Mauro Porro, Baldasso (reeds), working with pianist David Boeddinghaus and drummer Josh Duffee made a big impression. It's likely we'll be seeing - and hearing - more of L. Baldasso in the future.

Claus Jacobi spent many an hour writing out charts for the evening's grand finale. Listen to the Doc! Doc Cook's Dreamland Orchestra presented the swinging sounds of Doc Cook's 1920s' Chicago outfit - Freddie Keppard, Jimmie Noone, Johnny St. Cyr et al - as heard at Paddy Harmon's legendary Dreamland venue. Jacobi assembled a to-die-for orchestra: Andy Schumm (cornet), Torstein Kubban (trumpet), the reeds of Messrs McQuaid, Porro, Exall and Jacobi himself, Andrew Oliver (piano), Henry Lemaire (banjo), Spats Langham (banjo, ukulele, vocals), Malcolm Sked (tuba) and Nick Ball (drums). A fitting end to a long day of top quality jazz. 

Ah, not quite the end! At eleven o'clock, the audience, as one, scurried round to the hotel bar for the first of three late night jam sessions. A front row table, a pint of Guinness (the first of several), the session led by French trumpeter Malo Mazurié, this being the weekend of Guy Fawkes, the word 'incendiary' came to mind. And sure enough, we heard superb, blistering trumpet playing courtesy of Monsieur Mazurié. The house band included the impressive Lorenzo Baldasso blowing some scintillating clarinet, the Crescent City's David Boeddinghaus at the upright and David Horniblow dropping anchor on bass sax. The sitters-in were many, all A-list, including, up from Bristol, the ebullient Jack Calloway, clarinet (see photo), Mauro Porro at the house piano, yes piano. Signor Porro is an amazing multi-instrumentalist (reeds, piano), arranger, bandleader etc...

Porro isn't alone in being an amazing musician here at the Classic Jazz Party. From France, Henry Lemaire's propulsive string bass playing never fails to excite, CJP favourite Félix Hunot playing banjo and leaping up to sing a chorus or two. Is there no end to their talents? It was silly o'clock, the hotel staff began setting out breakfast tables (a not-so-subtle hint that it was time to sleep). Saturday (day two of this year's Classic Jazz Party) would soon be dawning. Russell