TOP brass – that’s the talented swing band from Altrincham Grammar School for Boys which has scooped the top slot at the Great North Big Band Jazz Festival.

In their first appearance at the festival, the 22-strong band of boys aged between 14 and 18 claimed first prize of a glass trophy and £100.

Colin Myers, head of Music at Altrincham Grammar School for Boys, described the weekend-long competition in Sunderland as 'extremely tough' but added: “The boys have practised hard and deserve their success. It was extraordinary to enter this respected North East festival for the first time and come away with the top honour. The boys should be rightfully proud of their victory.”

The AGSB Swing Band - featuring brass from saxophone to trumpet, plus a plethora of percussion - played a 20-minute set featuring music by modern jazz legends Charles Mingus and Sammy Nestico, as well as pop classic, ‘Happy’ by Pharrell Williams.

The boys next face the finals of the UK’s National Concert Band Festival. The festival’s 30th anniversary, to be staged at the Royal Northern College of Music in April, involves more than 2,400 players from concert bands and swing bands throughout the UK.

They were previously crowned National Champions in 2011 - and the boys are keen to reclaim the title.

Added Mr Myers: “We’re the only school in the UK to have two bands in the final showdown – our jazz band join the swing band in the finals - and we’re the only school from Greater Manchester remaining in the competition.

“We’ve a proud tradition of music at AGSB and believe that by allowing everyone to play an instrument gives us the opportunity to unearth incredible natural talent.

"These boys have beaten many other bands to reach the national finals and we are extremely proud of them already, winning the national title would be the icing on the cake.”