The band, formed on May 5, 1945 (the day Holland was liberated by the Allies) turned professional in 1960 and is still going strong, albeit with changed personnel. It has its own style epitomised by crisp, clean arrangements.

Seven musicians, led by Bob Kaper, may be small compared with some of the swing bands that have appeared recently but the sound they produced was equally powerful and pleasing to the ear.

Classic jazz numbers were performed with freshness alongside new compositions and rare unearthed gems. One such was Ellington’s Eerie Moan. Newer pieces included the French composition Creole Jazz and another that had a Latin American/Caribbean sound whose Dutch title translated as On Top Of The World.

Tributes were paid to Armstrong and to Sidney Bechet, who was the band’s first famous guest artiste.

All the musicians were excellent and played with great gusto but a personal favorite was Frits Kaatee who, in addition to clarinet and tenor saxophone, also delighted on the tiny soprano saxophone and its big baritone brother.

The obligatory drum solo featured in a rousing version of Tiger Rag, which contained some glorious snatches of dirty tailgate trombone. Banjo-playing Ton van Bergeijk proved to be the Netherland’s answer to George Formby as he strutted his stuff in Peoria.

The encore started with a swinging version of the William Tell overture that segued into a medley of three jazz standards – The Saints; Dr Jazz and Ice Cream. And still the audience wanted more.