A Bit of History From Mark

The Jazz Party traces its roots to Newburyport around 2007, when our friend David Clarridge originated the all-day Jazz Jam and Potluck at his home. Dave hosted the party for something like ten years. I was lucky enough to be able to get to two or three of them. Between those parties and hanging out with Dave at various local Jazz venues, I got to know him reasonably well—certainly well enough to realize that he knows a great deal about Jazz (and quite a few other subjects).

Strange as it may seem, after ten years Dave wearied of hosting the party. I take it as a great compliment and endorsement that one day, while Dave and I were discussing the future of the Jazz Party, he said to me “ I don’t want to do it any more. You should do it. Your house would be really good for it.” Something like that. I thought he was joking. He was not.

So in 2016 Fiona and I hosted “Dave Clarridge’s Jazz Party: Ipswich Version”. After that it became The Ipswich Jazz Party, and we’ve done it every year since. People seem to enjoy it. We certainly do.

All-Day Jazz Jam and Potluck?

A brilliant idea, no? Hats off to Dave for getting it started.

Here’s how it works. We send out preliminary invitations via email several weeks before the party, then a reminder early in May. We also encourage previous attendees to spread the word and invite their friends.

Party guests fall into one of two categories: musician or audience member. Audience members are requested to bring a dish to share. Musicians are exempt from food-related duties. (But of course, if they really want to bring something . . . )

Given the number of partygoers, we never have to worry about quantity or variety; all the bases get covered, usually many times over—so those of you who are listeners should feel free to bring anything you like. That said, Fiona and I always provide some entree-like dishes—at least one of them vegetarian. We also provide drinks (beer, wine, sodas, coffee, water), but you’re welcome to add to the bounty.

The fun starts at noon. There’s witty conversation, with drinks and snacks while the musicians and support folks set up.

The music starts as close to 1 PM as possible. There’s an early set by a professional trio. Then one or more of them will play for another hour or so, with the musicians in the crowd joining in.

Then there’s an evening set, with more jamming after that. The music usually goes until 8 or 9.

The Date

The Ipswich Jazz Party normally falls on the Sunday of the weekend before the Memorial Day weekend. We feel it’s the right balance of weather favorability and audience availability—it’s not likely to be either too hot or too cold, and relatively few people are committed to events like weddings, graduations, and vacation travel.

This year however—for no particular reason, we plan to host a Virtual Jazz Party on Saturday June 20. Details forthcoming. Watch this space.