After a performance of Happy Birthday for one band member, America's leading trumpeter began with a reprise of a Thelonious Monk piece.

Four In One, which the Lincoln Centre Jazz Orchestra played on their previous Brighton visit, is a notorious transcription that promised much as the multi-talented sax section raced through an impossible arrangement at breakneck speed.

The saxes were featured on the next, with four on sopranos and one on sopranino.

The task, as Wynton announced it, was for all five to play John Coltrane's soprano classic My Favourite Things in tune and all performed admirable solos.

Wes "Warmdaddy" Anderson was heard to great effect on Isfahan from Duke Ellington's Far East Suite, stunningly performing the Johnny Hodges solo alto role.

It was also a chance to hear Joe Temperley's uncannily accurate-playing of the Harry Carney baritone parts.

It was definitely a night to feature the horns. There were so many solo talents, the rhythm section had much less space for taking solos.

A small gem to finish the first half was a rediscovered Benny Goodman feature from the Fletcher Henderson band: An arrangement of Ravel's Bolero.

It was also an arranger's night, with saxophonist Ted Nash contributing several. The Latin favourite Tico Tico had the reeds jumping from saxes to bass clarinet and piccolo without breaking sweat.

Wynton spent most of the concert leading from the trumpet section, who all played unbelievable solos throughout.

Seneca Black's lip was saved until the finale for a blistering high-note feature.

With compulsory audience participation becoming so popular, the virtually sold-out crowd added vocal flourishes to Dizzy Gillespie's Ooh Bop She-Bam.

In a night that also covered Mingus, Basie and the blues, many were delighted by the encore for trumpet and rhythm section, with a warm rendition of the Mercer-Carmichael standard Skylark.

The band's close attention to Wynton's still remarkable solos gave the Dome the pin-drop intimacy of a jazz club.