New Orleans Jazz Festival, Friday 21st March – Monday 24th March 2014  

Our second Festival of the year, and our first visit to Hemsby.

 

On our arrival, after parking the car, we joined the queue for the keys to our chalet (a good way to get to know people), our table number, a map of the site and the programme of events. Due to the lateness of our booking, we had to have a chalet with two rooms. Fine for Me and Him, we needed the space, as we had taken everything including the kitchen sink! The chalet was OK, clean but dated. We unpacked, took stock of our surroundings and made our way to the Starlight Ballroom, where we recognised some people from other clubs and festivals we had been to.

 

The bands playing at this weekend are: New Orleans Heat, Sussex Jazz Kings, Baby Jools Jazzaholics, Rae Bros Festival Band, Savannah Jazz Band, Ken Colyer Tribute Band and T J Johnson Band.

 

Before the programme began on Friday, Rene Long made an announcement that unfortunately Dave Brennan had fallen ill the previous evening and was in hospital. John Long and Jimbo Pack were also not well enough to attend, so all our best wishes were sent to them for a speedy recovery. It was their wish

that the event should go ahead. Grateful thanks went to Pete Lay for stepping in to work the Light

and Sound desk, Brian Munson for Stage Management and Lesley Stradwick for helping Val with

the Brolly Parade. My apologies if I have left anyone out, let me know and I’ll put it right.

You all did a brilliant job.

 

New Orleans Heat kicked off the weekend with an hours session to get us in the mood before dinner.

There were  four  evening sessions. Two by the Sussex Jazz Kings an one each of New Orleans Heat

and Baby Jools Jazzaholics. Ending at around midnight.