When I was young, my parents had an LP called something like The Best Of Barber, Ball And Bilk.

The title appealed to me because of the name link, the alliteration and the lively jazz music on it.

On Monday, I got to hear the line-up in person, more than 40 years after they recorded that family album.

Toe-tapping virtually from start to finish, these veterans of the British jazz scene for half a century provided a well-filled Dome with jokes, reminiscences and music ideally suited to a sweltering summer's evening.

The spirit of New Orleans was with us in notes as well as heat.

Chris Barber started off the set with his recently enlarged band, totalling 11 players of great skill and verve as well as sensitivity. There was a rousing start with Bourbon Street Parade and we didn't look back from there.

What amazed my friends and I was the enthusiasm these musicians have for their craft and for performing after so many years on the road and playing together.

One was introduced who had been with Barber for nearly 50 years, while another was called a newcomer to the band - he joined in 1977. Further standards, the hit Petite Fleur, When The Saints Go Marching In and lesser numbers such as Devaluation Blues, from the Seventies, showed what a great line-up Barber has.

After the interval, a humourous Acker Bilk and crew took the stage for a shorter set - and, yes, he did play Stranger On The Shore.

The smaller number of players would have been better suited to a more intimate venue, especially after Barber's bigger group but I still enjoyed the music, especially when featuring the piano.

To finish, after another interval, Kenny Ball started his set with a hit from decades ago of So Do I, progressed to his most famous tune, Midnight In Moscow (his bank manager's favourite!), and a host of others, ending with a rousing When The Saints and All You Need Is Love, with the audience standing and clapping along.

What a great night it was. As I overheard one white-haired elderly woman say as she left: "Well, I defy anyone not to have enjoyed that."

Hear, Hear. I might even get out my old trumpet and have a blast in celebration.