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Picture an ordinary day in England; the Glenn Miller Orchestra is in town, and a 13-year-old boy called Jonny is sitting in the audience, wide-eyed and mesmerised by the sounds of this famous Big Band in all its glory.

Having first played a trumpet at the age of six, Jonny is already a keen musician, but witnessing the delight of a Big Band for the very first time, he makes up his mind: "One day, I will have my very own Big Band."

Jump to 2008 ? The Jonny Cooper Orchestra is now South Africa?s premier 19-piece Big Band.

The orchestra consists of four trumpets, four trombones, five saxes and a rhythm section, and each show is performed with all the class and style of the 1940s.

What started out as something fun turned into something quite spectacular ? today the Jonny Cooper Orchestra performs to packed houses and standing ovations.

They were appointed as the official Glenn Miller Orchestra South Africa by Glenn Miller Productions Inc. and are recognised internationally as one of the finest 'copyists' of the Glenn Miller Sound.

International magazine, Big Band Buddies, recently referred to The Jonny Cooper Orchestra as "One of the best Big Bands in the world".

Now, in case there was any doubt, Jonny and his band have been awarded with the Big Band Hall of Fame Award by the Big Band Hall of Fame in Florida, USA.

It's safe to say that a once-young boy has realised his dream!

"I am indeed a very lucky man," Jonny told People's Post in a phone interview from his home in Kenilworth.

Jonny led many smaller bands in the UK, but it was only in 1992, on coming to South Africa, that he made the move to his very own Big Band.

Jonny says, in reference to the band's Hall of Fame Award, that he and his band were elated at the news:

"It really came out of the blue. The trustees involved had obviously decided to do some investigating when they heard about a Big Band all the way down in Africa.

"We had no idea that they were even considering us. A parcel arrived for me one afternoon. I am blind as a bat without my glasses, so when I opened it up and started reading it I thought it was just my eyes."

The certificate reads (with glasses): "The Big Band Hall of Fame recognises and honours the Jonny Cooper Orchestra for perpetuating, promoting and performing the sounds of the Big Band Era with integrity".

"Many bands have taken swing music and modernized it to some extent," says Jonny.

"This is clever in some senses, but it doesn?t really pay respect to the music."

"In receiving this award it means that we have been able to reproduced the sound of the Big Band in its truest form."

Jonny says it has always been a worry that the Big Bands would die out as trends change, and for a short while it looked like they might, but with the help of artists like Robbie Williams, Michael Bublé and Westlife, Swing has once again found its way back into popular culture.

While in the past Big Bands might only have appealed to older generations, nowadays Jonny says 60% of his audience are under the age of 40.

"I have had mothers come and tell me that they had to drag their sons and daughters kicking and screaming all the way to the show, but by the time they leave they are fans."

So what is the secret behind his success?

According to the man himself, it's all about how well you know the guy next to you.

"You can't just put 18 guys on a stage and expect magic. The reason behind the success of most bands is that they know the people they are playing with intimately. You know the guy next to you, you know his next move is and you know how he plays. That is what makes it special."

Undeniable talent, stage flair reminiscent of Frank Sinatra or Louis Armstrong, and a leader proud to share his dream with the world, are just some of the wonders to be witnessed at a Jonny Cooper Orchestra performance.

Jonny says that without the support of their fans they would truly be nothing: "Thank you all for supporting us and allowing us to live our dreams."

Their next performance in Cape Town is set to take place in November this year at Theatre on the Bay in Camps Bay.

"We will have new arrangements, new CDs available, and really look forward to seeing you all being there for a night of fun and great music."

If you haven't yet tapped your foot to the sounds of "Chattanooga Choo Choo" or listened to a "Moonlight Serenade", then do yourself a favour and let that young boy from England entertain you with his very big dream!

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