When does IJP happen?

It’s always been on the Sunday of the weekend before the Memorial Day weekend. For 2020, it’s the Quarantine Edition, a virtual gathering on June 20. Details forthcoming. Watch this space.

What should I bring?

It’s a big party, and there’s alway PLENTY of food and drink. When Fiona and I were hosting our first Jazz Party in 2016, we asked Dave if he typically requested certain people to bring certain things to HIS parties. He gave me a thorough and extremely helpful answer, which I quickly forgot. As it turned out, although for JP1 we were NOWHERE NEAR organized enough to request certain dishes, it all worked out fine, since there were so many attendees.

So the short answer is “Bring whatever dish you’ll most enjoy eating and/or sharing.” You’re welcome to bring your own beverages as well, although we also provide a modicum of beer, wine, soda, coffee and water.

Do the musicians get paid?

Well, yes and no. This is a departure from the origins of the party with Dave Clarridge. Dave created the Jazz Party to provide a venue for amateur and semi-professional musicians to get together and play, and to mix with more accomplished players.

Fiona and I very much want to preserve the open and informal nature of the party, but we also hope to attract ever-more-accomplished musicians to the party. We’ve invited most of the regional players, and they’ve all responded favorably to the idea. The usual response, however, is something like this: “Sounds like a good time; I’ll try to make it if I’m not working.” (Incidentally, this is why IJP is always on a Sunday, on the assumption that it’s generally the least busy day for working musicians.)

So we decided that it would be OK to pay the musicians, at least for a few years, until we build enough momentum to attract local and regional players, at all levels of accomplishment, to come and play as amateurs, in the true sense of the word—for the love of it. We pay the opening and closing acts, as well as the core trio for the jam sessions. Everyone else donates their talents, for which we’re extremely grateful.

Can / Should I make a contribution?

Over the years, many people have offered to chip in to help cover the cost of the party. While we appreciate this very much, we’re happy with things as they are, so we’re not asking for direct contributions. Our goal is to provide a day of entertainment and camaraderie that emphasizes the beauty and impact of live music. Since money permeates so much of our lives, we’re delighted to be able to offer what we hope is a day of pure enjoyment.

If you’re insistent about making a monetary contribution, we’ll happily make recommendations for alternatives. For starters: go see live Jazz whenever and wherever you can! See our Links page to help you find local and regional venues. Also, consider supporting the Seacoast Jazz Society. They’re on the Links page as well. We’ll be adding a lot more to the Links as time goes on.

Is it OK to bring a friend?

Absolutely! The primary purpose of the party is to promote live Jazz. One of our goals is to have IJP outgrow our house, with future IJPs at larger venues. We’ll see.