The band first appeared in the form of the St. Helens Music Centre Swing Band in 1979 directed by music teacher Ged Harrison. Funding was provided by the LEA for instrumental  tuition and loan of instruments was free of charge.  

The band consisted of young people aged between 11-16 taken from schools throughout the borough.  As interest in this kind of music grew membership increased and a second band was formed, this was a training band for younger students to develop their skills and knowledge of big band music.

As the standard of  playing improved the band entered national competitions and were twice finalists at the Festival of Music for Youth held at the Southbank Arts Centre in London.

However, the scheme ended, tuition and funding was withdrawn and the future of the band seemed uncertain.  Despite these circumstances the musicians decided that the band would continue. 

In 1987 the band became the St. Helens Youth Jazz Orchestra and continued to promote their kind of music by performing at local dances, schools and charity events throughout the Northwest, appearing on Granada Television on more than one occasion.  

In 1992 the band underwent some changes  and became known as the Jazz Pack with many of the original members, now young adults. With the departure of the founder, Ged Harrison, the band found new direction and continued to delight audiences with the sounds of big band swing.

Today, the band is still committed to promoting big band music, but it has a new image and a new name that is - The Easy Street Big Band.