A female singer performing with a jazz big band on an outdoor stage with colorful lighting, surrounded by musicians with saxophones, trumpets, and music stands displaying the band's logo.
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Jazz on the Pantiles—Meet the Musicians: Force 10 Big Band

In the heart of Tunbridge Wells, Thursday nights in the summer months come alive with the sounds of Jazz on The Pantiles.

I went to photograph Force 10 Big Band, a impressive 17-piece big band who play music from swing, dance and bebop to modern jazz, TV and show themes. 

Resident at The Warren in Hayes the band plays at  Chelsfield Village Fair, Farnborough Jazz Club, Mayor of Bromley’s Charity Ball and other festivals and events around Kent.   They have been appearing at Jazz on the Pantiles for many years and love the atmosphere and energy of the audience.

The band dates back to 1976 and the longest-serving member is the MD, Lester Barnes, who joined on tenor sax at age 13 in 1982. David Barnes joined in 1983 and lead the band for 35 years. Other players qualifying for long service medals include James Kirkby, Mike Pack and Dylan Barnes.   The band now consists of a healthy mix of professional, semi-professional and top-class amateur musicians.

All the Sounds of Jazz: the Sound of Force 10 Big Band

  • A trumpet resting near an open sheet music book with a colorful pink and purple background
  • A martini glass with a chocolate garnished drink on a bar table with a purple hued background.
  • Two singers performing on stage, with the woman in a sparkly outfit singing into a microphone and the man in a hat holding a microphone by his side, both illuminated by vibrant stage lighting.
  • Two saxophonists performing on stage with colorful stage lighting in the background
  • A group of saxophonists playing their instruments on stage during an evening outdoor concert with microphones and music stands
  • People enjoying a live performance at an outdoor food festival at night, with a band on stage and a streetlamp illuminating the area.
  • Force 10 cover photo Jazz on the Pantiles photography
  • A singer performing on stage with the Force Ten Big Band at an outdoor evening event, colorful stage lighting with musicians in the background.
  • A man in a hat singing with a microphone in front of a live band on a stage with colorful lighting at an outdoor evening event
  • Two men playing trumpets on stage with purple lighting in the background.
  • Close-up of a musician's hands playing the trombone with a blurred stage background.
  • A guitarist and drummer performing on stage with a focus on the guitarist reading sheet music.
  • A female singer performing with a jazz big band on an outdoor stage with colorful lighting, surrounded by musicians with saxophones, trumpets, and music stands displaying the band's logo.
  • A woman in a sparkling dress singing with a microphone, accompanied by a live jazz band under colored stage lighting.
  • A person singing on stage with a hat, gesturing emotionally under a vibrant gradient of stage lights.

Force 10 Big Band: A 17-Piece Jazz Band

A man playing the saxophone with band members in the background at a live concert setting.

Lester Barnes

Force 10’s MD and lead, Lester Barnes.
A prolific composer, arranger and producer, check him out at www.lesterbarnes.com

A group of musicians playing saxophones on stage at an evening outdoor event with vibrant lighting.

Alfie Beston

Alfie Beston,
multi- instrumentalist and arranger, check him out at www.alfiebeston.com

A man playing the saxophone during a live performance, with soft lighting in the background.

Nick Beston

Alfie’s Dad, Nick Beston. Check out his work on www.nickbeston.com

An older man with glasses playing a Technics electronic keyboard, lit by pink stage lighting with a sign reading "Health" in the background.

Dave Barnes

Dave Barnes, Lester and Dylan’s Dad, and former MD of the band

A trumpet player performing on stage with a pink-hued lighting in the background.

Dylan Barnes

Lead Trumpet

A person playing drums and reading sheet music during a live music performance

Brent Keefe

Brent Keefe, who tours the UK with The Carpenters Story

Two musicians playing saxophones on stage illuminated by warm stage lighting.

Mike Pack

Baritone Sax

A person singing on stage with a hat, gesturing emotionally under a vibrant gradient of stage lights.

Nigel Garrard

Nigel Garrard, vocalist, also can be found in the trumpet section…

Two musicians playing instruments with a drummer in the background on stage during a live performance.

Pete Rogers

Two trumpeters playing their instruments in a live music setting with colorful stage lighting.

Chaz Hollosi

A musician focused on playing his acoustic guitar with a red stage light shining on him, another person in the background.

Steve Hennings

A female singer performing with a jazz band on stage at an evening outdoor event

Karen Hill

Singer

Two trumpet players performing on stage with a warm colored lighting backdrop.

James Kirkby

A musician playing the trombone during a live jazz performance with sheet music on a stand in front of him.

Vlad Bis

Man playing a trombone on stage with music stand and drum set in the background, at a venue offering free entry.

Brendon Pellow

Trombonist

A trombone player performing in a brass ensemble, surrounded by vibrant colors and fellow musicians.

Dave Heavy

Trombonist

Two saxophonists playing in a band with a colorful stage lighting setup.

Warren Corns

Tenor Sax

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