Saxophonist “wows” royal audience

Year 7 saxophonist John Tan played for The Princess Royal and was then formally presented to her at a special charity event at St James’s Palace.

John was invited to play at The Not Forgotten Association’s Christmas party in front of an audience that included not only the Princess, but also Dame Vera Lynn, Honor Blackman and Esther Rantzen.

The Not Forgotten Association is a national tri-service charity which provides entertainment, leisure and recreation for the serving wounded, injured or sick, and for ex-service men and women with disabilities. Each year, the charity helps and supports approximately 10,000 people of all ages.

“It was a great honour for John to be invited to participate,” said his father Lee Tan. “He did really well and ‘wowed’ the audience.” John was introduced on stage by the disc jockey and celebrity, Tony Blackburn, who described him as “fantastic, with a terrific future in front of him”. He was also endorsed by actor and comedian Nigel Planer.

John appeared as part of an eclectic programme which included a brass quintet from the Band of the Coldstream Guards, top swing and jive band, The Jive Aces, and actors Simon Williams & Lucy Fleming. He was invited to take part after being named as one of the winners at Big One Talent – a talent competition at Blackpool Pleasure Beach in August.

The invitation came from Dougie Squires, a leading figure in the arts world who has worked extensively for the Royal Family. Mr Squires’ business partner, Antony Johns, is a director of Pleasure Beach Blackpool-Stageworks Worldwide Productions and was a judge in the competition.

John attended St James’s Palace at lunchtime for a rehearsal and sound check. The concert itself took place in the afternoon and afterwards the performers were presented to The Princess Royal.