Down for the Count at the Enigma Ball

On the 26th November we were delighted to be asked once again to play for the Enigma Ball, at the very prestigious and rather beautiful Bletchley Park, home of the Enigma code-breakers! A slight deviation from our usual diet of weddings and functions, this was a perfect blend of sophisticated, stylish 1940's dancehall and good old-fashioned partying with Milton Keynes' LBGT (Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and Transgender) community - and what a night it was!

We all arrived punctually as usual, although Nicky's sat-nav caused some grief - luckily, Mike was to the rescue!

No harm done though, as we were set up, sound-checked and swinging in no time!

In between sets quite a bit of jewellery was going missing, so Mike had a lovely time chatting with the guests and making special announcements, and taking the odd request:

By the end of our second set we were really getting into the atmosphere, and enjoyed a much-needed break from energetic playing and boogying while our gorgeous host Kathy drew the raffle:

Some of the outfits were truly spectacular:

Finally we launched heart and 'soul' into our final soul and Motown set - the crowd response was unreal and I'm sure that even Chaka Khan herself didn't get such a response the first time she played 'I'm Every Woman'! A mainstay in our set from now on, to be sure. A truly memorable night and one of the best, most responsive and enthusiastic audiences ever! Here were some of my favourite moments (playing with my posh new camera, from the back of the trumpet section!):

Thanks to the Enigma Ball for a great gig - see you next time!

Article and photos by Simon Joyner