Is this Britain's oldest big band?

Is this Britain's oldest big band?

With their average age pushing 70, the band are almost as old as the care home audience they play for.

With nearly 900 years between them, the Fulham Big Band is thought to be the oldest performing big band in Britain.

Set up by 88-year-old trumpet player John Baxter, the band has been wowing audiences for nearly 30 years.

With an average age of 69, the 13-piece band includes members like 79-year old Alan Barnes on the saxophone and trumpeter John ‘Gil’ Gilbert who turns 80 later this year.

And if you thought the band were getting on a bit, wait until you meet their fans – as the ensemble regularly plays for residents at a west London care home.

George Papadopoullos, senior activities coordinator for Bupa’s Kensington care home, said: “As many of our residents struggle to get out and about, we make sure we bring the entertainment to them.

“We host all sorts of activities but those centred on music always evoke such a wonderful response. You see residents who are typically quiet and reserved find a new lease of life.

“I’ve even seen one gentleman burst into song. It turned out he was a former opera singer and, even though he’d developed dementia, the memories all came flooding back to him.”

At 55, tenor saxophone player Ken Hume is one of the youngest in the group. He joked: “These days it’s unusual for me to be one of the youngsters but, with this band, everything’s different. I reckon we must be the oldest band going!

“Our years give us a special edge though, especially when it comes to the gigs at the care home. We play songs that the residents remember from their youth – as do many of the guys in the band. It’s really special to see how everyone connects with the music.”

Bandleader John agrees: “I started the band back in 1989, so we’ve been going for about 30 years now.

“We normally either play at Charing Cross Hospital or a local pub – but we make a special exception for the care home.

“I’ve always said it doesn’t matter how old you are, where you’re from or what your background is. What’s important is that you can play your instrument and are willing to put in the effort – and the team do just that.”

And their effort is paying off. 86-year old Janice has been a resident at the Bupa care home for four years and still finds it an exciting place to be.

Having heard other residents talking about the band in the past, she decided to attend their latest performance.

“Who’d have thought that at 86 I’d be attending my first jazz concert? It’s wonderful.

“We used to go to the music halls a lot when I was younger, though my husband wasn’t a jazz fan. This evening brought back lots of good memories.”

George, who helped arrange the evening at the care home, continued: “The response from the residents this evening was brilliant and is exactly why we go to such efforts to put things on.

“Patrick spends most of his time in a wheelchair but was so impressed by the band that he was up dancing with one of our carers! It just goes to show the impact music can have – it can make you feel young again.”

There’s plenty of research supporting the benefits of music therapy for older people, especially those with dementia, with studies suggesting the music stimulates areas of the brain that other activities can’t.

For those living with dementia, the evidence suggests that hearing songs from their childhood through to their 30s have the most impact.

Researchers have also highlighted music’s positive impact on reducing anxiety and depression, and its importance in helping retain speech and language skills.

For those looking to hear the band in person, the troupe play fortnightly at The Bedford Arms pub in Fulham, west London.

They also play regularly at Charing Cross hospital, where their charity collections have helped raised over £47,000 for Cancer Research.

In the meantime, colleagues and residents at the Kensington care home are already eagerly planning their next events.

“We’ve got all sorts in the pipeline,” said George “from a local dance group of Iberian dancers to a vibrant, all-female group of a cappella singers. There’s a misconception that life is a care home is boring, but in reality, it’s all sax, drums and rock and roll!”

click here for more details or to contact The Kensington Care Home