With saxophone quartets having long since ceased to be a novelty, Sax Collective have their work cut out to make an impact. Their method is to play up to their name with a warm ensemble sound and to entertain with a widely varied repertoire and agreeably hammy repartee.

Star rating: ***

With saxophone quartets having long since ceased to be a novelty, Sax Collective have their work cut out to make an impact. Their method is to play up to their name with a warm ensemble sound and to entertain with a widely varied repertoire and agreeably hammy repartee.

The programme didn't stick literally to the promised Mozart to Mancini, but the latter's Pink Panther theme showcased the collective's finely judged tone and togetherness, and more demanding material confirmed them as very capable players.

If their jazz, tango and pop selections can be a little polite, their precision and playfulness elsewhere, including Rob Downing's baritone reading of Saint-Saens's The Elephant, with baking-tray ears and ludicrous trunk, made this an impressive and enjoyable hour.