A PACKED house enjoyed a snazzy night of music as the VIPs of Jazz took The Grand by storm.

Tuesday's one-night show featured The Big Chris Barber Band, The Dutch Swing College and The Pasadena Roof Orchestra in a three-hour extravaganza of jazz, swing and blues.

Chris Barber and his 11-strong band are into their 50th year of touring and showed no signs of giving up when they set the scene with an uplifting and happy trad jazz set.

A spine-tingling version of Petit Fleur, foot-tapping Sweet Georgia Brown and the soft blues number Going Home made for delightful changes of style and tempo.

And the use of electric guitar was an unusual twist to the trad sound.

The seven-man Dutch Swing College Band -- in the business for more than 57 years -- conjured up a very relaxed string of bouncy swing jazz numbers, including the piano punishing Honky Tonk Train Blues, and own compositions The Website Stomp and The Blackpool Blues.

And the audience even joined in shouting "onions" during a lively number of the same name!

Finally, the Pasadena Roof Orchestra took to the stage with their renowned 30s sound. Old favourites Zing Went the Strings of My Heart and It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing were just some of the goodies in this 11-piece jazz orchestra's pad. And their guest singer Louise was in heaven singing Cheek To Cheek and other fun numbers.

The PRO finished the evening with a rousing encore featuring Singing In The Rain -- very appropriate for this particular Tuesday night!