It was a stormy evening in Eastbourne as “Storm Rachel” hurled horizontal rain and 75 miles-per-hour winds at the coastal resort. Despite the appalling weather and Met Office weather warnings a goodly crowd gathered to listen to the Terry Giles Sextet in their first gig of the new year at the Cavendish Hotel. The band is now in its tenth year at the Cavendish.

It was well worth braving the weather. For the sextet, driven on by dep drummer Tony MacDonnell, was blowing a storm—one that rivalled the weather outside. From the first bars of the opening number, Gershwin’s Lady be good, the spritely tempos set toes tapping.