Where was Father Christmas on Friday 9 December 2011? Was he preparing and wrapping presents with the elves? In fact he had time for another important role as our star guest! Father Christmas was here at Sevenoaks compering Crash into Christmas, our annual celebration of all things jazzy and Christmassy at Sevenoaks.

The combination of a near sell-out audience in the Pamoja Hall and a range of excellent performances allowed the students to deliver a superb evening of music. Top of the bill were the Big Band and Gospel Choir; their joint finale of a specially commissioned Christmas arrangement featuring vocal solos for Charly Solomou and Kate Grimbley-Smith. There were jazztastic performances from the Gospel Choir, Middle School Jazz Band, Wind Quintet, Sax Quartet, the brand new Djanjo Band and the first ever collaboration between the Big Band and Wind Band.

The evening would not have been so successful without the splendid support of the student sound team and student backstage team. Particular mention should also be given to the Big Band soloists: Chris Ying on drums, Bernard Lee on piano, vocalist Charly Solomou and Rasmus Hogh on baritone sax.

Thank you very much to everyone who played, sang and listened, and a Merry Christmas and Jazzy New Year to all!