The Argus: fringe_2011_logo_red_thumb If the world did think of ending at 6pm on Saturday, it was brought abruptly back from the brink at 8.30pm as the big fat brass section of Ska Kestra burst loudly into life.

The audience had already been warming their hips to the blistering beats of DJ Amma and carried right on skanking as the band, all 20 of them, took the stage.

There’s not many bands who line up with five saxes, but led by the virtuoso Simon D’Souza, and supported by trumpets and trombones and a rock-steady rhythm section, they pounded out an eclectic mix of big band sounds given a super ska makeover. There was Bo Jangles and Diamonds Are Forever, sung by the delectable Helen Nicholls, a big and bouncy Bond theme tune, a fast-travelling Night Train, funky Guantanamera and a jazzy High Life.

It was a big boisterous evening of fun, led by the band members who were enjoying themselves as much as the audience were and, despite the numbers, held together as a tight-knit unit by the marvellous musical director Mark Bassey.

There was an abrupt 10pm end, to make way for at club night, so despite the pleas, no encore. But - big band, big sound, big credit.