Mike Durham’s Classic Jazz Party is the successor to the Whitley Bay International Jazz Festival, and will be held in the comfortable Village Hotel Newcastle from Friday, November 4, 2011, to Sunday (no doubt Monday morning), November 6-7, 2o11.
(In an earlier version of this posting, I had the incorrect dates — the party begins on the fourth, not the eleventh. Apologies for any confusion this might have caused.)
Here’s the jazz cornucopia to end all . . . hour-long concert sessions beginning at noon, then a break for dinner, and more music until midnight, followed by jam sessions in the Victory Pub. I’m already thinking of the inflatable cushion, the tea flask and sandwiches, the extra batteries, and more . . . be prepared!
Friday (11/4):
Clarence Williams Lives! The Hot Antic Jazz Band with guests Kristoffer Kompen (trombone) and Raymond Graisier (vibraphone)
The Jelly Roll Morton Trios: Keith Nichols (piano), Matthias Seuffert (clarinet), and Nick Ward (drums) salute Mr Jelly Lord
Teasin’ the Ivories: Mauro Porro (piano) salutes Arthur Schutt, Rube Bloom, and Seger Ellis
Dear Bix: Andy Schumm and His Gang
Benny Moten’s Music: Keith Nichols’ Blue Devils Orchestra explore Kansas City
Djangology: Philippe Guignier and Henri Lemaire, Mike Piggott (violin), Norman Field (reeds)
The Ellington Small Bands: Matthias Seuffert, Rico Tomasso (trumpet)
Dishin’ the Dirt: Caroline Irwin sings saucy songs – oooh!
Benny, Fud, Pee Wee, and Tesch: Norman Field, Keith Nichols, and Nick Ward laud some of the tough clarinets
Dallas Blues: Bent Persson and his Orchestra explore mid-30s Armstrong
A Gardenia for Lady Day: Cecile McLorin sings Billie Holiday
Andy’s Midnight Ramblers: Kristoffer Kompen, Andy Schumm and Co. – Twenties Chicago in the Victory Pub
Saturday (11/5):
Jazz Goes To The Movies: Film rarities from the collection of Mike Hazeldine
Syncopated Paraphernalia: Richard Pite’s amazing one-man percussion show
Cornet Chop Suey: Bent Persson’s Hot Five recall the glory days of 1925-1926
Vibraphonia: Raymond Graisier’s tribute to Lionel Hampton
The Magic Ukulele Show: Professor Martin Wheatley tells us everything we need to know about the “jumping flea”
Singing In Tongues: Caroline Irwin displays her linguistic capabilities
Pickin’ Cotton: Josh Duffee (USA) and 11-piece band recreate McKinney’s music
Lincoln Gardens Stomp: Mike (Durham) and Doc (Bastide)’s Creole Jazz Band: six nationalities go back to 1923!
Three Pods of Pepper: Frans Sjöström, Norman Field, and Martin Wheatley muse over some jazz byways
Tellin’ it to the Daisies: Debbie Arthurs’ Sweet Music and the world of Annette Hanshaw
Snowy Morning Blues: Paul Asaro’s solo recital of James P Johnson’s works
East St Louis Toodle-Oo: Keith Nichols’ Blue Devils Orchestra play early Ellington
The Three Tenors: Steve Andrews, Jean-François Bonnel, and Matthias Seuffert with an all-star rhythm section
Doc’s Night Owls: The Hot Antic Jazz Band and guests play music for insomniacs in the Victory Pub
Sunday (11/6):
Encore! Encore!: More movie magic from Mr Hazeldine’s archives
The Lion & the Lamb: Willie “The Lion” Smith and Donald “The Lamb” Lambert tribute from Nichols & Asaro
Potato Head Blues: More Louis-worship from Bent Persson’s Hot Seven
From A-flat to C: Rico Tomasso & friends play the music of the John Kirby Sextet
Sau Sha Stomp: The Hot Antics & special guest David Sager (trombone) recall trumpet ace Jabbo Smith
Got the World in a Jug: Cecile McLorin sings Bessie Smith
Zonophone Stomp: Mauro Porro’s international band tip their hat to Bert Firman’s Rhythmic Eight
Humpty Dumpty: More Bixiana from Andy Schumm and the Gang
High Hat, Trumpet, and Rhythm: Cecile McLorin pays tribute to the legendary Valaida Snow, with Rico Tomasso (trumpet)
Venuti, Rollini & Lang: Mike Piggott (violin), Frans Sjöström (bass saxophone), Martin Wheatley (guitar), Keith Nichols, Norman Field, Raymond Graisier, Josh Duffee
The Rhythmakers: Bent Persson, Matthias Seuffert, and Co. recall the great 1932 Billy Banks sessions with Red Allen and Pee Wee Russell
The Small-Hours Swingers: Andy Woon leads a hand-picked group deep into the morning in the Victory Pub
For more information, visit http://www.whitleybayjazzfest.org/concerts.html. Mike tells me that there are some seats — not many — left . . . so don’t be left out!
JAZZ LIVES 
Oh how I want to got there… It is a rare festival where you want to hear every single performance.