A sold-out concert of gipsy jazz is an auspicious way to begin a festival.

Just after 8pm, the lights dimmed and rhythm guitarist Dave Kelbie walked on stage, guitar in hand, leading the blind violinist, Tcha Limberger.

Following them came the stand-in bass player, Andy Crowley, and Lollo Meier himself.

They sat down and launched straight into a wonderfully quick, light-hearted tune but all their music is joyous, even the melancholy songs.

They played an array of original and standard tunes, featuring some classic Django Reinhardt such as Nuages and Djangology. But of special note were the Quecumber Waltz and the two songs on which Limberger sang.

His voice, mostly light and romantic, would suddenlydevelop a harder, louder edge, then fall back into more mellifluous tones.

Likewise, he treated us to an astonishing display of virtuoso playing equalled only by Lollo Meier himself on the guitar, with the two of them swapping high-speed licks to great effect by the end of the evening.

A full minute's ovation greeted the last number then the group gradually faded awayover three encores, finallyleaving Meier to perform a short guitar solo piece to end a perfect concert. The festival is off to a swinging start.