Where?
At the twentieth — and last — Whitley Bay International Jazz Festival. The theme this year — appropriately — is FROM AFRICA TO THE WORLD, and the bands come from all across the globe.
It’s taking place this year (that’s 2010) 9-11 July, Friday-Sunday, with a pre-festival concert at the beautiful Sage Gateshead called MIDNIGHT IN MAYFAIR — a tribute by Keith Nichols to the British dance and jazz bands of the Thirties (with Rico Tomasso in that band)! Once the festival begins, it will be non-stop jazz. With these bands and players, how could it be otherwise?
La Retaguardia Jazz Band (Chile)
New Orleans Rascals (Japan)
Andy Schumm’s Bixologists (USA)
Les Rois du Fox-Trot (France)
Bohém Ragime Orchestra (Hungary)
Michael McQuaid’s Late Hour Boys (Australia)
Hot Antic Jazz Band (France)
Keith Nichols’ Blue Devils (UK)
Hot Jazz Trio (Sweden)
Thomas Winteler’s Jazz Serenaders (Switzerland)
Cecile McLorin Salvant (France) with Jean-Francois Bonnel’s Swing Septet
Chalumeau Serenaders (Germany/Sweden/UK)
Jeff Barnhart’s Ivory & Gold (USA)
Martin Litton’s Red Hot Peppers
Bent Persson’s New York Orchestra (Red Allen Tribute)
Fidgety Fingers with Langham, Wheatley and Stephen
Norman Field’s Novelty Recording Orchestra
Barrelhouse & Boogie/ Kings of Harlem Stride/Ragtime Piano Summit
Spats & His Rhythm Boys
New Century Ragtime Orchestra
West Jesmond Rhythm Kings
Keith Stephen’s Hot Club Trio with Caroline (Irwin)
Flaming Reeds
Don’t be the last one on your block!
Visit http://www.whitleybayjazzfest.org/home.htm for all sorts of useful details — pictures of the musicians, hotel information, and (of course) ticket prices.
I hear tell that Bob Cox, John Whithorn, Elin and Ron Smith will be there — as well as the Beloved and your humble correspondent.