Joyous jazz and tapping feet at Exeter Cathedral

Tap dancing and jazz in the Cathedral? Christmas Jazz last Saturday, presented by Exeter Festival Chorus with soloist Jacqui Dankworth and the Big Buzzard Boogie Band, led by Andy Williamson, was the most joyous, exciting musical and spiritual experience. Jacqui Dankworth's perfectly modulated and clear voice transfixed us with the beauty of her sound and exquisite interpretation. Her voice has matured and developed so that she equals her mother Cleo Laine's range and expression, but absolutely asserts her individual style.

We were led by the musical director and conductor Nigel Perrin as we joined in familiar but imaginatively arranged carols, and the chorus surpassed their always excellent standard in their pieces, including the unusual and stirring Remember O thou man by Bob Chilcot. Ending the first half with Star Express, composed and arranged by Ned Bennett and featuring the choir and band, we thought, sadly, that Ms Dankworth had completed her performance.

The second half was devoted to Sacred Concert a new version compiled from Duke Ellington's three Sacred Concerts performed between 1966 and 1974 around the US and Europe. To our delight, Jacqui Dankworth performed the soprano part, her voice again soaring to top notes with accuracy accompanied by an infectious enthusiasm and pleasure shared by the choir and band, who exuded joy and passion. The third section - rhythmic passages on 'freedom' included the words: 'Freedom is a word that is spoken and sung / Loudly and softly all around the world, / And in many languages./ The word freedom is used for many purposes./ It is sometimes even used in the interest of freedom.'

At the start of the seventh section 'David Danced' an expectant silence was broken by the approaching sound of tapping feet, as Junior Laniyan danced up the aisle and joined the choir and band in an exposition of 'David danced before the Lord with all his might... Shouting, singing, trumpets bringing love to ev'ry ear.' (Which they did!) A wonderful combination that was greeted with bursts of applause and cheers by the audience. Could it get any better? It did, with the (too soon) finale: Praise God and dance, a glorious coming together of chorus, singer and tap dancer that brought the most spontaneous and whole-hearted standing ovation I have ever been part of. We left inspired and heart-warmed. Our Cathedral was host to something very rare. Thank you to all involved.