Tim Garland's current project, the Dean Street Underground Orchestra, is unmissable for many reasons.

In two years, his orchestra has become one of the hottest acts in London, an evolving live experience like New York's Mingus Big Band.

Based at the Pizza Express Jazz Club, it boasts some of the finest young players in Europe, including Spanish altoist Perico Sambeat.

As an ongoing saxophone soloist with Chick Corea, Garland has also linked up with his transatlantic colleagues, including Corea's drummer Jeff Ballard and the legendary Geoff Keezer, the pianist in Art Blakey's final Messengers band.

It betokens the regard US players have for UK musicians.

"It's not that 'bring over a name' thing," says Garland. "These guys want to come over and love the band. It raises everybody's game and brings attention to the quality we have here. When you have a flute and baritone player like Andy Panayi, who else do you need?"

A further element involves the complete recreation of a lost epic of British jazz composition.

Canadian jazz luminary Kenny Wheeler will guest on flugelhorn for the first complete performance in 35 years of his groundbreaking suite Windmill Tilter.

The original and now very rare Sixties recording was ahead of its time and featured teenager Dave Holland on bass and young guitarist John McLaughlin.

"The whole thing is very exciting for me," says Garland. "And a lot of work. It was Kenny's first outing as a band leader. No-one else was writing like that in 1967 - it's a hidden treasure."

There is another link with the past as the orchestra's venerable trumpeter Henry Lowther appeared on the original disc.

The first half of the show features Garland's own writing and emphasises the extrovert soloing strengths of the personalities.

"You can't have that many on stage together and not have a laugh, when you've got all your mates around, you want to have a party and stretch out."

The band's first album, Soho Story, will be well represented, including a funky workout on I Wish I Knew What It Was To Be Free, well-known as the BBC's Film 2003 theme.