The Crescendo Big Band have been performing for audiences in Tewkesbury since 1981.

Bob Lee, the band manager and presenter explains how he got involved almost 40 years ago.

“They were originally a rehearsal band for musicians to practice and play for enjoyment without an audience,” he said.

“I was working on the radio on a big band programme, and the person who started the band got in touch to see if I could publicise them. I ended up getting involved as a compere and have been with them ever since.”

Big bands originated in the early twentieth century, and are known for playing jazz, blues and all sorts of swing music.

The Crescendo Big Band have performed all over Gloucestershire throughout the years, and Bob has been at nearly every performance.

He continued: “We’re a 17-piece band of mainly professional musicians playing music from the 1930s right up to the present day.

“We perform around seven concerts a year at Gupshill Manor in Tewkesbury. The concerts are spread throughout the year to avoid clashes with any local events or holidays.”

“We’re based in Tewkesbury so most of the musicians are Gloucestershire or Worcestershire based, but we have three or four key members who travel from places as far afield as Weston Super Mare and Solihull.”

The Crescendo Big Band’s next concert will be at Gupshill Manor Inn on Sunday 7th April at 3pm and will feature an acclaimed vocalist who knows the group very well.

Bob explained: “At our next concert we’ll be joined by a special guest vocalist Catherine Sykes, who’s just returned from touring with the Glenn Miller Orchestra.

“We were actually the first band she ever sang with, when she moved to the area from Yorkshire.

“Now she’s an international recording artist and we’ve kept in touch. She’s also married to one of our trombone players!”

For more information on the Crescendo Big Band and their concerts, visit www.crescendoband.co.uk