Bob Jenkins: Bath, a city of music

By tbradshaw

It used to be said that Bath had more restaurants per square mile than any city outside London. Maybe, but I reckon the vast number and diversity of music groups is an even more astonishing statistic.

From operatic societies to teenage bands, orchestras to jazz combos and choirs to lots more choirs, Bath is truly a city of music.

Although I miss the Bath International Music Festival's opening night extravaganza in the park – a rare occasion where all of Bath could join together – the new city centre format gives more opportunity to enjoy an array of local musical groups, spread around numerous venues.

It's a good incentive because, just as sometimes we don't find enough time to visit the museums and other attractions on our doorstep, we don't get to enjoy the city's own music as much as we might.

It certainly deserves our attention.

Over the years, I've enjoyed local choirs, groups and buskers at Bath Christmas Market. Let's hope organisers don't extend their curious catering strategy and import musicians from Oxford because they're cheaper.

As for free music in summer, the brass band concerts in Parade Gardens bring a feel-good factor to the city centre on Sunday afternoons.

Tourists lean over the parapet, marvelling at the foot-tapping sounds and the jolly, traditional scene with striped deckchairs and families enjoying afternoon tea.

Band concerts are one of those unexpected pleasures that give visitors positive memories of Bath. That also includes the periodic Sunday concerts at the marvellously restored bandstand in Royal Victoria Park.

Back in June, Bath's Park Lane Big Band wowed a large crowd. Yes, that's our Park Lane, not the minor street in London. The band was formed in 2000 by keyboard player, David Pegler, a driving force behind the excellent Just In Time II teenagers' band.

Amid all the city's glorious sounds, it's wonderful that we have big band music including Glenn Miller swing. In the park, a couple jived, children cavorted and older folk tapped feet to Route 66, Chattanooga Choo Choo and Birdland.

The crowd called for more – not so much a standing ovation as a lolling on the grass ovation.

If you're in the mood for blasting horns and hot sax, Park Lane Big Band is appearing at Parade Gardens this Sunday at 3pm. Be there or be square.