The surreal setting of a woodland listening to night club jazz.
The weather was kinder than was to be the case within the hour.
Passing children were attracted by the rhythms and the sight of the lady in red supported by her excellent band of musicians.
A young father was pointing out to his child the skillful saxophone playing by Ian Tompson.
A number of young children danced to the side of the small marquee housing the 'stage' area. Parents dutifully stood by their offspring, who were, probably for the first time, being exposed to proper live music.
The Mums and Dads had attention spans, noticeably shorter than their entranced youngsters, as they pulled Tarquin and Tabatha away to explore the joys of pony riding or face painting.
"Summertime" was delivered with the usual high standard of professionalism associated with this tightly knit unit. "Blue Skies" summed up the scene perfectly.
"Autumn Leaves" was a highly appropriate choice, given the golden brown carpet that nature had thoughtfully provided.
Claire's sensuous dance moves accentuated her sultry delivery of "Sway", enhanced by the crisp staccato sax breaks from Ian Tompson. I confess I feared for Claire's personal health and safety as she strutted around the uneven woodland ground in her stilettos.
A gust of wind carried a fresh shower of 'autumn leaves' from the overhead branches, rendering the band's previously mentioned classic a tad premature.
The sun took refuge behind the increasingly menacing clouds as the band concluded their first set with "If It Ain't Got That Swing". Each musician demonstrated his considerable prowess with his particular instrument, culminating in a tumultuous drum solo by Tom Vincent.
Claire and her intrepid band took a well earned interlude with the promise of more to come. The elements were having none of it though; the heavens opened and it was all hands on deck to protect the instruments and electrics from the pouring rain which swept in beneath the flimsy canvas.
A fabulous set brought to an untimely conclusion.
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