The morning-after-the-night-
The second full day of this year's Classic Jazz Party promised much: Ellington, Armstrong, a commemorative Hot Five session, Bechet-Spanier, Earl Hines and more. First up, the second instalment of Doc Bastide's Selection of Rare Jazz Films. 10:00am sharp, there they were, sitting in the back row, popcorn (not). Jazz on film seems to be a festival thing. Black and white, all the better.
The Duke's Men. The set title alone ensured a full house for a 12 noon start. Trumpet ace Joe Boga (a CJP first timer) flew in over night Tuesday/Wednesday from his regular Birdland NYC Vince Giordano gig, then led the Thursday rehearsal (not to mention making himself himself available on several other sets across a twelve hour day). Anything Ellington is a must. This Ellington 'sidemen' hour featured a plethora of A-listers (all of the CJP musicians are A-listers!), not least Italy's Lorenzo Baldasso (reeds), from Holland, David Lukács (reeds), Frenchman Félix Hunot (guitar) and the irrepressible Nick Ball (drums). Classic 'Ellingtonia', a winning set.
Jimmie's Joys. Jimmie who? Jimmy Maloney from Texas (1902-1962). Colin Hancock led the set, sketching Joy's career from vaudeville to 1920s' broadcast and Brunswick recording sessions. Hancock (cornet) called upon TJ Müller (trombone), Lars Frank (reeds), from New Orleans, pianist David Boeddinghaus, and others, including the showstopping 'two-clarinet' Michael McQuaid. A fascinating, not to mention educational, set.
Thelma Terry. Thelma who? A string bass-playing bandleader, Terry's work in a short career received an overdue appreciation, courtesy of Harry Evans. In 1928 Terry's 'Playboys' recorded half a dozen sides. Evans' diligent research produced some splendid charts for this session, a session featuring three Americans - Mike Davis (NYC, trumpet), Natalie Sharf (Chicago, tenor sax) and pianist David Boeddinghaus (New Orleans). A niche set? Yep, that's what the CJP is all about.
Joe Daniels - Drumnastics. For 'gymnastics' read 'drumnastics'. And non better than Nick Ball - musically and visually - to survey the work of drummer Joe Daniels. In his teens (in the early 1920s) Daniels became a fixture on the British jazz scene, later making numerous BBC broadcasts, through to a late career engagement at the Savoy (ending in 1990). Leading a terrific band (Messrs Taylor, Lukács, Litton, Hunot and Evans), proved, unequivocably, that enthusiasm - and no little talent - gets you everywhere (the Classic Jazz Party!).
A Centenary Celebration: Louis Armstrong's Hot 5. The Hot Five's debut on November 12, 1925, made this one hour concert, near as damn it (November 1, 2025), a centenary celebration of one of the milestones in recorded jazz. Who to lead the set? It couldn't be anyone other than Enrico Tomasso. Imagine, as a seven year old, perhaps eight, meeting Louis Armstrong. Rico did just that. Wow! Just, wow! E. Tomasso (trumpet and vocals) of course, joined by Parisian superstar singer Nicolle Rochelle and a fabulous band (TJ Müller, Michael McQuaid, Martin Wheatley, Andrew Oliver), this one had 'winner' written all over it.
To conclude a memorable afternoon, California Ramblers - Them Ramblin' Blues (Adrian Rollini and the Dorsey brothers were notable members of the outfit), Michael McQuaid (reeds) led a starry cast of 'classic jazz' musicians. Five hours' worth of exceptional performances. And to think this world class event takes place on a business park near Whitley Bay! Russell
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