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Mike Durham’s Classic Jazz Party in Whitley Bay

I have attended quite a few jazz festivals over the years, but none like the Mike Durham’s Classic Jazz Party in Whitley Bay. If I am not saying unique it’s only because I have not attended all jazz festivals the world round.

The Whitley Bay festival does not feature bands, but rather is a repertory one . The only regular band featured at this year’s festival was The Vitality 5, but that band itself is topic oriented. Sure, other festivals feature tributes to musicians and bands of the past, but that is in addition to working or specially organized bands. The Whitley Bay features first-class musicians from all over. This year, in addition to British players, there were Americans, Germans, Norwegians, Australians and Frenchmen. The Aussies and one American have fore the last few years been UK residents.

Joplin

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November 2026

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