After arriving in London and moving our equipment into the venue with military precision (in other words blocking most of a pavement with stands, instruments, drum kits etc. etc.) we all realised just how famous this place was.  Located at 100 Oxford Street, the popular swing dance club has more history than Mr. Fox.  We were to play on a stage that had seen the likes of The Rolling Stones, The Sex Pistols, The Who, The Clash, Metallica and Rod Stewart (!!!).  It's a little ironic that we would be playing jazz, swing and jive in the home of European punk music.

But after the feeling of awe came the relief that everyone was here, uninjured, with all their equipment... except for Ernest.  We soon learnt that he was "20 minutes from somewhere" but the panic wasn't resolved until he actually arrived, only 40 minutes late.  But we sound-checked well before being released into London for a bite to eat.  And as we all climbed the stairs out of the underground club we were confronted with a queue of eager faces stretching back almost to the door.  The feeling was excellent.

And then came the music.  No offence to any previous members, but this gig was quite simply the most incredible, professional, enjoyable, foot-tapping, dance-inducing, superlative performance this band has ever produced in three and a half years.  EVER!!  The crowd seemed not to realise that we were actually from a "state school in provincial England" as Mr. Meehan so eloquently put it.  They never stopped dancing and after two stonking sets with the ever-brilliant vocals of Bushy and Ernie the band were exhausted.  Excellent solos as usual from Tom Sharp, George Nava, Ed Evans and Rob Busiakiewicz and many others sealed a rock-solid performance.  The rhythm section stuck together perfectly and the horns provided the drive and jive this gig needed.  Everyone got into the spirit, bouncing along whilst never losing concentration - a great performance.

After nearly four months of preparation, we'd done it.  We are quite possibly the only "school band" to have ever played at this venue, and the quality produced was as near to professional as possible.  But KERBB is no longer a humble school band.  It really is a proper good Big Band!

Thanks go to Mr. Moore-Bridger (for letting us go!), Stewarts coaches (for helping us get there), Mr. Gajadharsingh, Mr. and Mrs. Berridge (for accompanying us), Terry Harrison (for helping all our home fans get down there), Bruce Willis (for starring in The Fifth Element which eased the boredom en route) and most importantly the ever-patient Mr. Meehan who, in all honesty, really makes us sound good.  Despite being so forthright with us, it was truly worth it.

The experience was fantastic and we all took something unique away with us.  But let's hope it's not once-in-a-lifetime!