The man who started singing with Tenby's 'Frantic Five' and began a career as a chef at the Royal Gate House Hotel left his Swiss home recently and visited Tenby to promote his debut CD, 'Billy goes big band.'

William Francis Jones (Billy) is the son of Margaret and Kenny Jones, the popular former stewards of the Royal British Legion and Tenby Rugby Club. They persuaded him not to rely on music for an income and encouraged him instead to become a master chef. This successful career started in the Royal Gate House, Tenby and led him to Switzerland, where he met his wife and raised a family, as well as founding a restaurant which he ran for 14 years.

Now, with the help of Pepe Lienhard and his big band, and the encouragement of friends, Billy Jones has released a CD of favourites from the jazz era.

With songs like 'As time goes by', 'Spanish Eyes', 'Come Fly with Me', 'Is this the way to Amarillo', 'Green Green Grass of Home' and others, his listeners are likely to be singing along straight away. Billy's voice (which has acquired a slight Swiss accent) is full of the character and presence required by this material. And it is showcased with smooth backing vocals and the lush, sparkling, dynamic tones of a big, big band (writes Patrick Ovenden).

Approximately £2 from the sale of each CD goes to a charity that helps children with terminal illnesses fulfil their wishes. It is Billy's way of honouring the children who lost their lives in the Aberfan landslide of 1966. He is hoping to find a Welsh company who can import and distribute 'Billy goes big band.'

To find out more about Billy Jones, read our article in the Tenby Times or visit his website, http://www.billyjones.ch">www.billyjones.ch