Mike Durham's International Classic Jazz Party

TYNE & WEAR: Village Hotel - Whitley Bay calendar_today 06 Nov 2026 place Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear Tickets £180 per person. Will sell fast. Please book accommodation separately.

Mike Durham’s International Classic Jazz Party 2026

The Ultimate Celebration of the First 40 Years of Jazz
Dates: 6th – 8th November 2026
Venue: Village Hotel, Whitley Bay, Newcastle upon Tyne
Tickets: £180 per person

Experience the Party of the Year

This isn't just a festival; it’s a living, breathing conversation between masters. For three days, the Village Hotel transforms into a global epicenter of Classic Jazz, where the legends of today honor the giants of the past.

We don't just play the music—we breathe new, vibrant life into the timeless melodies that shaped a century. Expect rare quality, world-class authenticity, and a roster of international talent that you won’t find anywhere else on the planet.

The Main Event - Masters in Harmony

Witness once-in-a-lifetime musical collaborations curated by the artists themselves. These aren't rigid session concert, they are spontaneous moments of genius, born from mutual respect and a shared passion for the craft.

  • 4-Star Luxury: Relax in cabaret-style seating.

  • The Best View: Our unique rotation system ensures every guest gets a front-row feel.

  • Seamless Flow: Music from midday to 11 PM, with a dedicated dinner break to recharge.

For the "Super-Fit": The Legendary After-Hours

When the main stage lights go down, the real heat begins.

For those with the stamina and the spirit, our legendary after-hours jam sessions take over the hotel bar.

Rub shoulders with the headliners as they let loose in the "wee small hours." It’s raw, it’s unplugged, and it’s where the most magical, unscripted musical moments of the weekend happen.

Are you fit enough to keep up?

The 2026 Artist Lineup

(Lineup subject to change)

Trumpets

  • Enrico Tomasso (UK),
  • Lewis Taylor (UK),
  • Colin Hancock (USA),
  • Mike Davis (USA),
  • Andy Schumm (USA),
  • Malo Mazurié (France)

Reeds

  • Lorenzo Baldasso (Italy),
  • Michael McQuaid (UK),
  • David Lukács (Netherlands),
  • Natalie Scharf (USA)
  • David Horniblow (UK),
  • Richard Exall (UK),
  • Laurin Habert (Germany – new for 2026!)

Trombone

  • T.J. Müller (USA – new for 2025!),
  • Alistair Allan (UK),
  • Graham Hughes (UK)

Piano

  • Andrew Oliver (USA), 
  • Morten Gunnar Larsen (Norway),
  • Mathieu Meyer (France – new for 2026!)

Guitar & Banjo

  • Thomas “Spats” Langham (UK),
  • Martin Wheatley (UK),
  • Félix Hunot (France),
  • Curtis Volp (UK)

Bass (Brass & String)

  • Phil Rutherford (UK),
  • Malcolm Sked (UK),
  • Harry Evans (UK)

Drums & Percussion

  • Nicholas D. Ball (UK),
  • Josh Duffee (USA),
  • Nick Ward (UK)

Violin

  • Emma Fisk (UK)

Vocals

  • Thomas “Spats” Langham (UK),
  • Nicolle Rochelle (France)

2026 Concert Themes

Our unique concert themes for 2026 will include the following (subject to change):

We are planning an exciting programme of music for 2026. So far, the following have been confirmed – with more to come!

  • A Red Hot Peppers Centennial
  • Al Bowlly – ‘With Orchestral Accompaniment’
  • James Reese Europe’s Harlem Hellfighters Bands
  • The Hawk in Europe
  • Johnny Dunn – The Original Jazz Hound
  • ‘Do That Thing’ – Early Fletcher Henderson
  • Red Nichols with Sam Lanin
  • ‘Hot Notes’ – The Savoy Bearcats
  • The Original Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra
  • Nat Gonella & His Georgians
  • Maxine Sullivan
  • ‘Yes Suh!’ – The Rhythmakers
  • Bernie Cummins’ Orchestra
  • Victoria Spivey with Red Allen
  • Mike Markels’ Orchestra
  • Bob Crosby & the Bob Cats
  • ‘Tap Room Swing’ – Adrian Rollini’s Tap Room Gang
  • New Orleans Modernism
  • Roy Smeck – Wizard of the Strings
  • Mildred Bailey
  • Jack Purvis’ Small Groups
  • Danny Polo in London and Paris
  • Saxophone Ensembles
  • Wingy Manone in the 1930s
  • ‘Hot Lips – The Cotton Pickers
  • Eddie Lang Duos
  • Jack Linx’s Society Serenaders / Birmingham Bands
  • Early Californian Jazz
  • Pacific Northwest Bands

Booking Information

Tickets: £180 per person. All bookings are 100% refundable in case of cancellation due to serious illness, bereavement or other unavoidable cause, at the discretion of the organisers.

To book securely with a credit/debit card, please use the "Buy Now" button on our site or request a payment link.

We can also accept cheques payable to “Classic Jazz Party” sent to: 60 Highbury, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 3LN.

When booking, please let us know if you have any seating requests and we will endeavour to accommodate them.

Book a ticket