Dartford's Mick Jagger Centre is putting the finishing touches to its Mbawula, a concert of African township music. If rehearsals are anything to go by, reporter Louise Tweddell is sure the show will be a night to remember ...

AS I took my seat among 120 rowdy youngsters it was hard to imagine how they would learn one song, let alone enough for a whole show.

Rivalry between the teenagers, from six different schools across the borough, was rife.

And getting them organised with song sheets was no easy task.

But once they were organised into groups of soprano, alto, tenor and bass their youthful exuberance began to settle.

Project director Paul Bartholomew began by relaxing our bodies with a series of physical and vocal exercises.

Retiring to the piano, he passed the floor to band member Joyce Moholoagae, who helps organise the show. The Johannesburg-born singer, who has a warm and rich voice, was bursting with energy.

Joyce got straight to work on Shosholoza a song about fathers and sons travelling by train on a journey through mountains to find jobs in the city.

All of the show's songs, which will also be performed by almost 100 adults, are a fusion of African and western jazz and are sung in three different African languages, including Zulu.

Looking at the complex lyrics on the page I wondered how the youngsters would ever pronounce the words but they were sounding fluent within 10 minutes.

As we practised our pronunciation, were given a melody and finally accompanied by piano, it was amazing to see how the song had taken shape. It was powerful, soulful and upbeat.

The atmosphere was electric and it felt as though the youngsters, who three hours earlier clearly disliked each other, had bonded through the music.

Joyce said: "The music in the show is really vibrant and there's no way you could come and listen to music like this and not enjoy yourself.

"The young people really come together and I'm sure it is because of the music. They really feel like they have achieved something."

Band director Paul Bartholomew was a former saxophonist with Jools Holland's Rhythm and Blues orchestra.

Paul said: "We are a touring band but we love to do these projects. Anyone coming to the show can expect to go home feeling uplifted by a world-class performance."

The fact it was raining as I left the centre and headed to the station almost failed to register.

It really was an uplifting experience and I can't wait to return to see the full effect of the finished product. I thoroughly recommend the show, which has the promise to remove all memories of a bleak winter day.

Mbawula, Mick Jagger Centre, Shepherds Lane, Dartford. February 2 & 3, 8pm, tickets £8/£6 concs, box office 01322 291100.