Olly Day and the Jonathan Wyatt Big Band

Cromer Pier

Something strange happens when the big band sounds of Glenn Miller and Harry James roll up their trouser legs and head to Cromer Pier for an annual outing led by one of the region's most popular all-round entertainers.

For the classic sounds of the 1940s and Rat Pack singers get a generous dollop of seaside sauce poured over them.

Well actually in between them - because Olly Day is a serious, and seriously good, singer who does justice to, and shows respect for, the powerful songs of Sinatra and Bublé, with his own rich voice and stage presence.

But during the links he had a sell-out audience in fits with his cheeky seaside postcard humour, and witty repartee with people singled out in the front rows for the fashion or coughing.

The slick 16-piece band is the backbone to the show, ranging from horn-blaring full-on numbers such as Sing, Sing, Sing, to the mellower Moonlight Serenade of Miller.

And the Moonglow Sisters' three part harmonies add variety with renditions of songs by their 'cousins' the Andrews and Puppini Sisters.

But Olly is the cheery cherry on the cake as the front man. He puts a rural Norfolk flavour into music more associated with American cities. An odd mixture but one that works as the full house testified.

I am off to see Robbie Williams doing his swing concert later this year. He will sing well, but I bet his jokes about balding Chihuahuas aren't so funny.

Richard Batson