If the Swindon Jazz Festival needed advertising, the rumbustious Pete Long All Stars did the trick as they wound up the first week with a thundering display at the King's Arms, in Old Town.

On a sunny Sunday afternoon, passers by from as far away as the Evening Advertiser buildings in one direction and the Lawns in the other were brought up short by the Swindon-based trad band belting out favourites such as Dr Jazz, High Society and the Sheikh Of Araby.

The decibels certainly brought in the crowds that have so far been missing.

This seven-piece band is all about entertainment and, by the final chorus of The Saints, had the audience cheering for yet more encores. It was not all boom and bash however.

The band boasts talented soloists who took the opportunity to show off some classy musicianship.

Highlights were the rhythm section's showpiece Honky Tonk Train Blues, a melodic Stranger On The Shore from guest clarinettist/sax player Laurie Froud and a lovely duet by Alan Bateman on trumpet and John Hopkins on trombone in I'm Confessin' That I Love You.

It was a great way to spend a summer afternoon and there is still much more to come.

The festival continues all this week, climaxing at the weekend with free jazz all around Old Town on Saturday, the 11-strong Heavy Quartet in the Town Gardens on Sunday afternoon and the celebrated pianist Stan Tracey with his quartet at New College on Sunday evening.

Pete Long All Stars

Kings Arms

Old Town

Sue Anderson

Today's festival events

For those with an interest in history, there will be slide show on Old Town presented by local historian David Bedford, of the Swin-don Society. It will take place at Devizes Road Church Hall from 7.30pm. Entry is £2. It will include a raffle and refreshments

As part of the continuing Swindon Jazz Festival, run in tandem with the Old Town Festival, the Jim Hart Quartet will be playing at Fusion, in High Street, from 8.30pm to 11pm. Admission is £7.