Piano player Graham Grant has for years tracked back through the 78 rpm records of the 1920s, '30s and '40s (well before rock-and-roll) to extract what he regards as the most original and best melodies of that era, the backbone of ART DECO's repertoire. He says: "Some of these melodies will be very familiar, especially those of the greats like Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, Richard Rodgers, Harry Warren, etc. Others you will never have heard in your life, but will be amazed that such beautiful songs could have been created and then forgotten."

ART DECO gets its name from the historical period in which most of the songs were written. "There have been great musicians in every era, but for some reason the standard of popular song-writing peaked in the Art Deco period, and this is what we draw from," says Graham.

Trumpeter Greg Englert fronts the group and supplies most of the vocals (and sax and guitar), with bass player Peter Wolstenholme giving a solid lift. Other instruments are often added to the basic group, such as a drummer if there is dancing, or a clarinet.

Although the members of ART DECO are all experienced jazz musicians, the style of this group is quite soft, but with a swinging beat. As such it is especially suitable for dinner/dancing functions, and where conversation is not overpowered by the music.