For the 16th year the boogie-woogie piano man opened this most special of festivals, but this time it looked as if the weather might be the winner.

It rained a couple of times, once torrentially, as highly-impressive, LA-based, old-style R&B and soul quartet took to the newly-designed stage, but their breezy, earthy pop blew away the gloom.

Jools entered, to great acclaim, tickling the ivories, smiling inanely, preaching to the converted and leading the best, tightest, most entertaining big band currently doing the rounds.

And there was a surprise in the ranks - step forward 82-year-old legendary trombonist and band leader Chris Barber to join the massed ranks of brass, do a few solos and sing, as did Rico Rodriguez, a mere boy at 77.

Two hours of standards, classics and the odd new song ensued, all wrapped in a warming cloak of ska, soul and boogie as the night chilled down.

Former Fine Young Cannibals frontman Roland Gift strutted on for three songs, still swaggering (I'm not sure if it's tongue in cheek now), but singing beautifully - especially on the old hit Good Thing - but maybe a little semi-detached from the fun.

The always excellent, big-voiced Louise Marshall got to sing the sublime I Went By, amongst others, and the almost spherical ‘queen of boogie-woogie’ Ruby Turner appeared towards the end to add even more energy. And somehow, amid all that, the old silver fox Gilson Lavis’s drum solo seemed to get the biggest cheer.