I HAVE enjoyed performances from Dorchester Big Band in the Colliton Club on several occasions, but the superior sound of this group in Weymouth Bay Methodist Church blew me away.

The acoustics were sublime as the band was joined by local singer Amy Nicholls, who lit up the building with a soulful vocal belying her youth.

Among the numbers she performed with the band were Stormy Weather and Someone to Watch Over Me.

The audience found itself transported to a smoky 1920s jazz club as Amy complemented the band with her sultry, on-point vocals.

Members of Dorchester Big Band vary in age and obviously enjoy playing together.

As someone who has little knowledge of music, I felt like some of their numbers dragged on too long and were aimed at swing fanatics. I would also like to have seen a few Rat Pack numbers performed, or at least more material I know the words to.

However, band leader Geoff Miller gives all the members a chance to shine, introducing each musician and cueing them in for a solo piece.

I particularly enjoyed their rendition of Morocco and the rousing finale of Earth, Wind and Fire’s In the Stone.

As someone who isn’t familiar with the full range of big band classics, I felt that Amy Nicholls added an extra dimension to the performance, making it more appealing to a younger audience.

Dorchester Big Band in concert proved to be an evening out that left me foot tapping, hip swaying and humming all the way home.

JOANNA DAVIS