The idea of presenting hi-octane, virtuoso music as rollicking entertainment is, sadly, not as popular as it could be. Top marks, then, for British saxophonist Alan Barnes, whose latest project finds him uncoiling accomplished solos while telling a stream of jokes, poking fun at his band-mates (the New Italian Radio Orchestra), and encouraging an atmosphere of boisterous bonhomie on the bandstand.

Even the name of the group would seem to be a joke: there are no Italians in the octet, just some of the best British talent around, including a top-flight rhythm section of bassist Arnie Somogyi and drummer Clark Tracey. Pianist John Horler is on loan from Cleo Laine ("I had to arm-wrestle her to get him," says Barnes), and the front-line horn section consists of saxophonists Alex Garnett and Pete Long, trumpeter Bruce Adams and trombonist Barnaby Dickinson.

Fixing us in their sights, the band prepare to do battle. Although much of the set consists of hoary old standards by Miles Davis, Mingus and Coltrane, it is all performed with such swagger that you actually feel like punching the air.

"This one's got a sudden loud bang in it," Barnes twinkles as the group crank up an original composition based on the notion: What if Count Basie had been born in the Derby Dales? We have been warned, but when Tracey's unfeasibly loud snare drum rips through the slow soul of Garnett's saxophone reverie, it's enough to make your heart stop. Barnes chuckles mischievously.

For their encore, the horn section roar into Night Train, tackling their solos like a herd of charging elephants. It all makes you realise how infrequently you leave a jazz concert feeling as if you've had your head boxed.

· At the Jazz Club, Tunbridge Wells, on October 14. Box office: 01342 714833.