A MIXTURE of swing, dance and jazz will be performed by the Syd Lawrence Orchestra when it visits Malvern.

The Big Band sound has thrilled audiences around Europe for the past 35 years.

It was formed by Lawrence when, as a member of the BBC Northern Dance Orchestra, he became disillusioned with a loss of direction in the scene.

He was becoming frustrated that big bands were being forced to perform arrangements of pop songs - he wanted to play sounds from the original era.

Today every performance includes a blend of swing, dance and jazz, as well as fun, laughter, excitement and comedy.

Leader Chris Dean believes in leading the orchestra in the traditional show band style.

"The music is what people want to hear, they don't come to a concert to hear the band leader give a lecture," he said.

The band has a repertoire of more than 1,200 classical and traditional Big Band titles from artists such as Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey and Artie Shaw.

Well-known hits include titles by George Gershwin, Jerome Kern and Irving Berlin.

The Syd Lawrence Orchestra performs at the Forum Theatre at 7.30pm on Saturday, August 16. Tickets cost £13 and £15, available on 01684 892277.