The Big Band era was a time when the social hub of a community was the local dance hall. A place where people could relax, listen to the music of their favourite swing band or dance band, and form lifelong attachments with members of the opposite sex. A place where one could linger for a while and escape from the tensions of daily life. And as the years passed by and other attractions moved in to replace the dance hall, people could still look back with nostalgia on those days and relive them by going to dances whenever the opportunity arose.

These opportunities have survived in London right up to the present day. Credit must go to the many big bands that have kept the spirit alive in the city over the passing years, bands that were composed of highly skilled musicians, many of whom played with the same band all their lives. When Johnny Downes Orchestra ceased playing in 1985 six of the members had been with him since their first engagement in 1939.

Visit the pages of the big bands, listen to the audio clips, many from live broadcasts from local ballrooms, view the photographic slideshows, relive those glorious days, create your own nostalgia and remember that the City of London was fortunate enough to be the home of so many great bands.