NINETY-two year old Colonel Bob Wheal still enjoys playing the piano: "I still play to the "old folks", he says laughing. "But most of them are older than me."

Colonel Bob is the founder and director of the Watford based Top Brass Jazz Orchestra, which is playing at Watford Palace Theatre in February.

Although he has now handed over conducting duties to "talented young man" Ed Puddick, he says: "It is still my band, and I still enjoy it as much as when it started."

Founded in 1974, the Top Brass Jazz Orchestra is made up of five saxophonists and woodwind players, five trumpeteers, five trombone players, as well as a pianist, bass player, drummer and vocalist. In its early days, Colonel Bob played the saxophone and clarinet in the orchestra, but he says: "I found people who were better than me.

"We have some of the best musicians in the country playing for us," Colonel Bob adds. "Most of our players stay with us for about ten or 12 years."

Success came early for the orchestra, as in their first year, they were invited to a recording session at the BBC, which was later broadcast on Radio 2. Colonel Bob remembers the event fondly, and still has a picture and commemorative statue given to them, proudly displayed on his piano.

So what does Colonel Bob, who served in the British Army for 22 years, think makes the orchestra such a success?

"It was my own keenness and effort. My time in the army taught me something about how to get men interested in something, and about discipline. We meet every Monday except holidays, and I don't think I have missed one rehearsal.

He continues: "Everyone in the orchestra is very keen on regularity, we think as a team and have a great team spirit."

The next concert in February will make orchestra history, with the first ever filming of a performance. The band have made several CDs of their work, including their most recent album Celebration, recorded at Colonel Bob's 90th birthday party in Watford two years ago, and featuring classics including That Ol' Devil Called Love, and A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square.

"Filming will be good for the orchestra," Colonel Bob says. "That evening, we also have Kevin O'Brien as our guest vocalist, who sings in the style of Sinatra."

The evening will feature jazz standards of the famous big bands and ballads from names such as Gershwin, Rodgers, Porter and Kern.

The Top Brass Jazz Orchestra will be at the Watford Palace Theatre on Wednesday, February 6 at 7.30pm. Tickets: £12 from 01923 225671.