On a nasty wet night on February 25, more than 200 jazz fans packed into Malborough Village Hall to enjoy an evening of superb big-band jazz from the Devon Youth Jazz Orchestra.

The concert was presented by the Friends of Salcombe Lifeboats, and was the first visit by the orchestra to this part of Devon for about eight years.

The programme, which was divided into two halves, featured first of all DYJO2 - the junior orchestra, who gave an excellent rendition of several jazz classics including a beautiful vocal rendition by a young lady saxophonist.

After the interval, DYJO1 - the senior orchestra took us into a varied programme of big-band jazz, hip-hop and swing featuring several of the band members in vocal solos.

The audience was in raptures at the quality of performance from these young musicians who come from all across Devon and are taught and developed in the special skills of big-band jazz playing by the Devon Youth Jazz Orchestra Association, a registered charity.

Tim Chandler, chairman of the Friends of Salcombe Lifeboats, said: “This was an outstanding evening of great jazz from an orchestra comprising wonderfully talented young musicians from across our county, and as a result we have raised significant sums to help to support our gallant volunteer crew members as they save lives at sea."