Andy joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) Band at the age of 17 as a musician. During 17 years in the RAF, Andy spent 14 of them playing with the famous RAF Squadronaires. Andy left in 2007 and since has played with almost all the UK Big Bands and is currently the lead trombonist with the Rat Pack 'Live from Las Vegas' tour.

Brian has worked as a trumpeter, musical director, orchestral fixer, musical arranger, band leader and producer on many shows over the past 10 years. Now focusing on Barisons Productions, Brian oversees every aspect of all the musical shows in their portfolio which tour the UK, Europe, Asia and the USA. Including tonight's show 'The History of the Big Bands'.

Bill currently composes and arranges music for his own Organ based quartet, featuring guitarist Kevin Glasgow (Tony Monaco, S.N.J.O., Tommy Smith) drummer Chris Nickolls (The J-Word, Tommaso Starace, Vasilis Xenopoulos) and alto saxophonist Piers Green (Clark Tracey Sextet).

As a sideman, he is pianist for The Paul Jordanous Quintet (with guests including Simon Allen, Mornington Lockett & Paul Booth) and Organist for the Tom White Trio. Big-Band work has been with The Pendulum Jazz Orchestra (with guests including Laurence Cottle, Don Weller, Steve Waterman), whilst his skills at the Hammond Organ have led to recent performances with The Nigel Price Trio, The Roberto Manzin Quartet with Jim Mullen & The Quentin Collins/Brandon Allen Quartet.

As you will see from the following list, Ben is an extremely adaptable musician, with a wealth of experience in almost every genre, ranging from the Humphrey Littleton Band, Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen, Jamie Cullum, and Jacqui Dankworth.

Ben has played with The Pasadena Roof Orchestra, the Ray McVay's Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Zephyrs of Swingn and the Big Buzzard Boogie Band. He is a keen New Orleans musician being a member of both the Street-beat band and theBrass Volcanoes as well as enjoying the occasional latin and salsa rhythms with Snowboy and the Latin Section, and Roberto Plas' Latin Jazz Ensemble.

As a woodwind player, Duncan has worked in the West End for over twenty years. He is currently at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket as part of the band for "Sweet Charity". He played with John Dankworth's band for Radio 2's "Live at the Stables" series. He has worked extensively as part of Shirley Bassey's orchestra and has backed many American singers including Johnny Mathis, Barry White and Kenny Rogers.

Recording work has stretched from BBC's "Only Fools and Horses" to the acclaimed film "Iris" starring Kate Winslet. As an arranger Duncan hasworked on BBC 1's "Strictly Come Dancing" and provided arrangements for an album recorded by Tony Hadley (Spandau Ballet).

He has written for combinations ranging from saxophone quartets to brass bands. He composed and arranged the music for the short film "What Do You See?" starring Virginia McKenna. Duncan has arranged all of Darius Campbell's original songs for tonight's Big Band concert.

Originally from Auckland, New Zealand, Greg performed with the New Zealand Jazz Youth Orchestra in the early 80s. He then went on to study at the NSW Conservatorium in Sydney in the mid 80s under the tutorage of world renowned brass virtuoso James Morrison and Australian sax and woodwind legend Don Burrows.

Resident in the UK since 1989. Greg has toured and recorded as a sideman with a diverse range of artists both in the jazz and pop idioms including prominent UK jazz artists such as: Jim Mullen, John Etheridge, The Meier Group, Paz, The Hot Orange Big Band, Carl Orr and Coup d'Etat. Popular music artists include: Terence Trent D'Arby, Van Morrison, Alexander O'Neil, Omar, James Hunter, Curiosity, Stereo MC's, Marianne Faithful, Joan Armatrading, Ultramarine, Dave Mc Almont, Jimmy Ruffin, Jimmy Nail, Don E, Hamish Stewart and Geno Washington.

From an early age, Kevin laid the musical groundwork, playing guitar at home and learning three chords which would later constitute a large proportion of his professional career. Having taken up trumpet at 15, he became convinced that music would provide a fast path to fame and fortune, so turned down an undergraduate course in accountancy and decided instead to study jazz at an American university under the guidance of internationally renowned performing artist Arturbo Sandoval.

Kevin later realised that his average looks and easy-going temperament would never lead to superstardom, and now enjoys spending time in a theatre pit or on stage, keeping music live in support of genuine talent.

Originally from South Wales, Mike studied trombone at the Royal Academy of Music in London, graduating in 1998. He has performed for artists such as Patti Austin, Jamie Cullum, Eliane Elias, The Four Tops, Tony Hadley, Gladys Knight, Al Martino, Johnny Mathis, Nancy Sinatra, The New York Voices, Joe Bonnamassa and Eric Clapton. Mike often plays for various West End musicals and is a regular deputy in the BBC Big Band.

Nick Pugh is one of London's busiest Bass players. As you will see his biography can be read more as a CV having played for many musicals including: Chicago, West End (Deputy), Brendan Cole, Live & Unjudged, 2010 Tour (Deputy), The Stripper, UK Tour 2009, Jolson & Co, UK Tour 2009 (Deputy), The Barber of Saville Row (Deputy), Unforgettable: The Nat King Cole Story, The Genius Of Ray Charles, Lyon, France, Masters of the Musical UK Tour (Calibre Productions) (Deputy), Rat Packs Back (SMA Productions), Absolute Swing (Calibre Productions) (Deputy).

Almost every big band in the UK: The British Philharmonic Big Band, The Sounds of Swing Orchestra, Matthew Herbert Big Band (Deputy), Terry Lightfoot Band (Various UK Concert Dates), The Glenn Miller Orchestra UK (Various UK Dates and tours in Spain, Serbia, Portugal and Azores), The Nelson Riddle Orchestra UK Tour (British Philharmonic) (Deputy), Ken McCarthy7, Barry Robinson Big Band With Venues ranging from London's Festival Hall to the 'MTV Party' at the Cannes Film Festival, Valentino's 75th Birthday Party (Rome), 'Marie Claire' and 'Elle' Birthday Party (Milan), Hong Kong Club, New Year's Eve (Hong Kong), and Glorious Goodwood

Paul is equally at home in many world music and jazz ensembles. As a Jazz musician he has appeared with Bobby Watson, Jean Toussaint, Tim Garland, Randy Brecker, John Etheridge'sZappatistas, Gilad Atzmon, Mike Westbrook Orchestra, and Jason Yarde's Acoutastic Bombastic.

He is a stalwart of the UK Latin and Brazilian scenes, playing with Alex Wilson, Manteca, Mônica Vasconelos and the Grand Union Orchestra, and has released a CD of original music 'Round Trip' on the Candid Label. As an educator Paul teaches at CYM, several jazz summer schools, and contributed to the ABRSM jazz syllabus.

Peter studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama with Yona Etlinger, Anthony Pay and Tony Coe. After graduating, he began working with Mike Westbrook, an association that has resulted in 20 albums and continues to this day. Peter is also a member of Between the Notes, Steve Martland Band, Delta Saxophone Quartet, The Barry Adamson Experience, and Huw Warren Octet.

His musical world is extremely eclectic. He has played with the Philharmonia, the Royal Opera House Orchestra, Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, Lontano, Music Projects London, Terry Riley, and Dawn Upshaw. As the clarinet soloist he has performed with Leonard Bernstein in Prelude, Fugue and Riffs, he has also recorded with the likes of Pulp, Spiritualised, Elvis Costello, Maximo Park, Damon Albarn, Everything but the Girl, Magazine and Radiohead.

Robert has played with many of the London Based Orchestras including: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra, London Concert Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra, New London Orchestra, Guildford Philharmonic, English National Ballet Orchestra and the London Sessions Orchestra.

He is currently performing on Phantom of the Opera, and his west end experience includes My Fair Lady, Guys and Dolls, and the Rat Pack Live from Las Vegas.

As a drummer and percussionist, Steve has worked with absolutely everyone in the business: from the classical greats such as Andrea Bocelli and José Carreras to Charlotte Church and Vanessa Mae, with orchestras such as the BBC Concert Orchestra, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and the Welsh Nation Orchestra, to pop bands and pop idols such as West Life, Pet Shop Boys and Eric Clapton, Neil Sedaka and Shirley Bassey.

Stephen also spent his time covering many of the West End Musicals including The Rat Pack, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Hair the musical, Beauty and the Beat and Fame.

Simon took up the trombone at an early age and went on to study jazz at the Birmingham Conservatoire where he was privileged to learn from some of the great jazz musicians from both the UK and the US. He quickly established himself inthe jazz and big-band world, and has performed with legendary artists such as Jack Jones, Randy Brecker, Al Martineau and Elvin Jones, and the great British big bands, including the BBC big-band and the Syd Lawrence Orchestra. He has also performed in the West End with such stars as Michael Ball and Jason Donovan.

Simon is currently to be found in the West End hit show 'Sweet Charity'.

John studied Bassoon and Saxophone at the Royal Academy of Music. Having enjoyed playing with various UK Big Bands, John decided to run away with the Moscow State Circus where he stayed for five years.

He is currently keeping busy freelancing as a Tenor and Baritone Saxophonist all around the UK.

Studied for Diploma in Light Music at the Mabel Fletcher in Liverpool before taking a Postgraduate jazz course at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 1991. Influences include Dexter Gordon, Sonny Stitt, Cannonball Adderley,Joe Henderson.

In the 1980's Andor played with Chris Rea, Thomas Lang and Diesel. Other performances have been with Hazel o Connor, Colin Steele, Tam White Band, Brian Kellock. And he was featured on Bulgarias Jazz Time National TV channel.

Andor is a regular performer at Ealing and Breckon Jazz Festivals with Butchers Brew, Alison Bentley and Jazzelation.