Just before 7pm the committee, band and a few of our regulars stood outside in pouring rain waiting for the club to open. Once inside the committee held an impromptu meeting to discuss the possibility of a later start to the session in future and, before introducing the band, chairman Graham asked for a show of hands to confirm that 8.15 would be acceptable.

We had a strong stage presence from Pershore Jazz committee with chairman Graham Smith on drums and treasurer, Tony Sharp on bass. The rhythm section was completed by Roger Heeley, making a welcome return to Pershore, on piano. John Hallam was applauded onto the stage to swing into ‘I would do anything for You’ on clarinet with a series of two bar breaks from Graham and a solo spot for Roger, all setting the scene for an evening of top quality entertainment. Next came ‘Robbins Nest’, always reminiscent of ‘An Apple for the Teacher’, with fine clarinet - piano rapport and over to tenor sax for John to up the tempo on ‘Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea’ with drum breaks and Tony’s first bass solo of the evening.

With John still on tenor sax, Roger surprised us by switching his keyboard to ‘vibes’ mode for a charming effect during ‘Indian Summer’. After some hefty baritone sax work including ‘You’re Driving Me Crazy’ there was another surprise when John introduced from the midst of the audience a young lady who delighted us with her playing at last year’s festival and Amy Roberts took the stage with her alto sax to ‘swap fours’ with John’s tenor on ‘China Boy’ followed by some nifty harmonisation to ‘Ain’t Misbehavin’’. After Graham’s Caribbean- like lead in, they ended the first half with a roaring version of ‘Sweet Georgia Brown’ this time featuring alto and baritone saxes.

John resumed the entertainment with a clarinet tribute to Duke Ellington , ‘Mr Gentle and Mr Cool’ with some more drum breaks for Graham and then the bouncing rhythm of ‘Peewee’s Blues’ brought dancers onto the floor.