606 Jazz Club, Chelsea, London - Live Music: 17-28 February + March Preview.
Friday, February 07, 2025
Laura Thorne of the 606 Club has forwarded details of forthcoming live jazz events during the second half of February 2025, plus a preview of the Club's March programme.
Laura Thorne writes;
Hello all you connoisseurs of culture and lovers of live music – greetings from the 606 in Chelsea, known for presenting the best jazz, soul, Latin, groove, R&B & blues musicians in the UK bar none. We hope that all is well in your world, this grey and miserable weather notwithstanding!
This mail provides information about our February events from Monday 17th through Friday 28th. For additional information about these shows, photos and video clips visit https://www.606club.co.uk/events/.
In addition, we are adding our March shows to our website as we speak. Here are a few upcoming highlights to be aware of:
Monday 3rd March: Remembering Martin France – A Musical Celebration
Drummer Martin France, who passed away in September 2024 at the age of 60, was a remarkable musician whose loss has been profoundly felt in the jazz community. Since he began performing at the age of 12, the list of projects and musicians with whom he’s been associated includes many fellow greats of jazz and improvised music, from Loose Tubes to The Perfect Houseplants, to Dave Holland, John Paul Jones, Mark Lockheart, John Parricelli, Lee Konitz, Joe Lovano, Jason Rebello, Claire Martin, Bob Mintzer, Maria Schneider, Gwilym Simcock, John Surman, Steve Swallow, Norma Winstone, and many many more. In the studios he appeared on numerous recordings for the highly-regarded European jazz label ECM and also released three albums with his own ‘Spin Marvel’, an adventurous mash up of jazz and ambient/electronic sounds. The performance this evening will be an all-star tribute to Martin featuring many of his UK contemporaries mentioned above – an exceptional night celebrating the life and music of an exceptional man.
Thursday 13th March: 606 Club Special: Ethan Iverson
US born pianist and composer Ethan Iverson is probably best known as a founding member of the iconic New York based band The Bad Plus, a game-changing collective who the New York Times described as “…better than anyone at melding the sensibilities of post-60’s jazz and indie rock.” During his 17-year tenure TBP performed in venues as diverse as the Village Vanguard and Carnegie Hall and collaborated with the likes of Joshua Redman, Bill Frisell and the Mark Morris Dance Group. Now Ethan Iverson presents himself with a solo program: Into the Dark. “Pianist Ethan Iverson…letting [his] distinctive attributes shine while also interacting at the highest levels of listening and invention” Downbeat
Thursday 20th March : Rachael Calladine – Album Launch
Rachael Calladine includes numerous appearances at the likes of Ronnie Scott’s, Pizza Express Dean Street, the Jazz Cafe and the London Jazz Festival on a sparkling cv, as well as being the ex-lead vocalist with the classic Fusion band Us3, with whom she toured Europe extensively. Her co-written song “La La Li” was featured on nu jazz aficionado Gilles Peterson’s album ‘Worldwide Vol 2.’ and her debut album of original material “Life, Love & Gossip” on Kwerk records was received with great critical acclaim. After a period living and working in Dubai, Rachael is now back in the UK and returning to her jazz roots with a new album on 33Jazz Records, ‘The Game’. Featuring a mixture of new original music and well-known jazz classics, Rachael and her band, Pat McCarthy-guitar, Andy Tytherleigh-bass and Si Potts-drums are in top form!
Tuesday 25th: Chris Allard’s ‘Dreamweavers’ Album Launch
‘‘Dreamweavers” is a new project led by jazz guitarist Chris Allard and featuring Jim Watson-keys (Katie Melua, Manu Katché), Dudley Phillips-electric/upright bass (Mark Knopfler, Loreena McKennitt) & Nick Smalley-drums/percussion (Jason Yarde, Gareth Lockrane). Describing it as ‘cinematic eclectic and mercurial’, their debut album “Woven in Time” showcased this evening has a ‘contemporary jazz sensibility’ as well as rock, folk, blues, Latin & Eastern influences. This is Allard’s seventh release, previous recordings garnering critical acclaim including four stars in Guitarist Magazine, Jazzwise, Jazz Journal, and BBC Music Magazine. He has performed at major venues including the Royal Albert Hall, the Pyramids and Great Sphinx in Cairo, the Barbican, Montreux Jazz Festival, Nuremberg Festival, O2 Arena London, the Queen Elizabeth Hall working with among others, Jacqui Dankworth MBE, Charlie Wood, Dame Cleo Laine, Sir John Dankworth, Omar Kamal, the BBC Big Band, Jamie Cullum, Lea Salonga, Alison Balsom OBE and Gwilym Simcock. An exciting group of musicians at the very top of their game, the quartet expertly balances complexity with a sense of melody, accessibility and groove. “borders on genius” Jazz Journal ★★★★; “Chris Allard was impeccable” London Jazz News
17-18 FEBRUARY 2025 LIVE MUSIC GUIDE
Mon 17th 8:00pm SIMON WOOLF’S “NEW MASTER’S QUINTET”
Lyrical and sophisticated, Simon Woolf is widely considered to be one of the most fluent and creative double bass players in Europe. With a career extending over 40 years he has enjoyed long associations with many leading international musicians, including US stars Benny Golson, Harry Allen and Howard Alden. Tonight he brings his multi-generational band “New Masters” to the Club featuring some of the finest upcoming musicians alongside more established players: Donovan Haffner-sax, Mike Soper-trumpet, Fraser Urquhart-piano & Joe Edwards-drums performing a set of jazz standards as well as some of Simon’s swinging originals.
“Woolf…excellent…outstanding” Jazzwise
Tue 18th 8:00pm DAN REINSTEIN
American-born saxophonist Dan Reinstein first began playing at the old 606 Club when a medical student in the 1980’s. He returned to the US in the early 90s to become one of the world’s leading laser eye surgeons (he’s now Professor Reinstein), but when he returned to London, it was great to hear his fluent, classic hard-bop, muscular sax playing again and the rest, as they say, is history. Dan & his quartet have performed here for the last 20+ years and still going!
”...impressive hard-bop saxophonist” Time Out
Wed 19th 8:00pm EMILY MASSER
20-year-old jazz singer & saxophonist Emily Masser was given invaluable guidance in jazz by her father, the highly respected, award-winning saxophonist Dean Masser (BBC Big Band, Echoes of Ellington, Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra). The acclaimed album “Introducing Emily Masser”, consisting of Emily’s arrangements and vocals, did much to enhance her presence on the scene and the upcoming release of her latest record, ‘Songs With My Father’ is already being treated with much anticipation. Featuring a mix of modern twists on jazz standards that highlight Emily’s vocal approach to bebop that you’ll be hearing this evening, Emily & her band – Dean Masser-sax, Matyas Gayer-piano, James Owston-bass and Matt Home-drums deliver a powerful, joyful and swinging set. “Emily Masser – a burning talent for the future” UK Jazz News; “Masser makes her mark immediately, skydiving into a hard- swinging scat which is rich, timely and never without a smile” Jazzwise
Thu 20th 8:00pm HUNGARIAN MUSIC XCHANGE: JOZSEF BALAZS FT MORNINGTON LOCKETT
The multi-Award-winning József Balázs is widely recognised as one of the finest Hungarian jazz pianists of his generation. The leader of the highly respected and successful East Gipsy Jazz Band he has toured worldwide, with performances in the US at the Detroit Jazz Festival and New York’s legendary Blue Note Jazz Club establishing his international standing as a fluent and creative player of style and imagination. Artists he has worked with over the last 20 years include the likes of Randy Brecker, Bobby Watson & Robin Eubanks and in addition to his success in the jazz world he is also a highly regarded arranger and composer. With his trio as featured tonight he performs impressive, straight-ahead jazz and watch out for his Special Guest, the brilliant UK saxophonist Mornington Lockett. József first worked with Mornington back in 2015 and both these great musicians are excited to be performing with each other once again.
“Lockett…brilliant!” Bebop Spoken Here
Presented in association with The Harmónia Műhely Alapítvány .
Fri 21st 9:00pm DAVE LEWIS’ “1UP” FT LIZZIE DEANE
Dave Lewis’s robust and melodic tenor playing has been heard with a notable list of artists including John Martyn, Bryan Ferry, Joan Armatrading, John Mayall, Eric Clapton and The Blockheads. His own band features an impressive array of talent fronted by the fabulous singer Lizzie Deane, who has worked with the likes of Carleen Anderson, Mica Paris and Jocelyn Brown. With a strong emphasis on groove, improvisation and spontaneous melodic interplay, 1UP is one of the tightest, funkiest bands on the scene.
“It’s a real treat…tight chunky grooves and… exciting…funky sax.” Blues and Soul; “
Deane…incredible” Cross Rhythms
Sat 22nd 9:00pm CLARK TRACEY’S JAZZ CHAMPIONS
An award-winning drummer, composer and arranger Clark has recorded over 90 albums, performed in over 50 countries and won “Best Drums” five times in the British Jazz Awards. Tonight, alongside a stellar band that features Art Themen & Simon Allen-saxes, Dave Newton-piano and Andy Cleyndert-bass Clark will be performing a selection of his late father Stan Tracey’s finest compositions, alongside classic Thelonious Monk tunes and even a sprinkling of his own originals. A brilliant band with Clark, as always, the driving force behind it all.
“...one of the most impressive jazz drummers in Britain today” The Times
Sun 23rd 1:30pm SUNDAY LUNCH: TRINITY LABAN ELLINGTON REPERTORY BIG BAND FT MUSICAL DIRECTOR PETE LONG
This afternoon, under the auspices of Music Director Pete Long – himself a renowned jazz musician, who’s CV includes work with Jools Holland, Tom Jones, Norah Jones, Dr. John and Lionel Richie – the Trinity Laban Ellington Repertory Big Band has prepared some of the great concert pieces associated with jazz legend Duke Ellington. You’ll hear versions of “Mood Indigo” and what became known as the Concert version of “Take the A Train” (complete with the unison scat vocals from the whole ensemble). This College Big Band has already made a name for itself with the impressive spectacle of such young musicians demonstrating a thorough grasp of the techniques necessary to get to the essence of Ellington’s writing.
“[the band]…played with all the panache, drive and sheer good-hearted energy that Long seems to engender with each of his groups” Jazzwise
Sun 23rd 8:00pm LOUISE CLARE MARSHALL
Louise has toured worldwide with the likes of Noel Gallagher, Chaka Khan, Dionne Warwick, Roy Ayers, Tom Jones, Ed Sheeran and most recently David Gilmour. A featured singer with Jools Holland’s Band she made quite an impact on his NYE Hootenanny show singing Auld Lang Syne, and recorded an outstanding duet with Roger Taylor on ‘Under Pressure’. A truly versatile performer, Louise is equally at home singing jazz and groove (as she will be tonight) as she is singing rock, musical theatre, or dance music, such as in 2022 when she was the voice on the No. 1 single, ‘Afraid to Feel’ by LF System (also nominated for a Brit Award as ‘Song of the Year’). Her two original albums “Wait for You” and “Beautiful”, showcase her considerable ability as a songwriter, and she’s also a fabulous pianist and choral director. Tonight she will be joined by a stellar line-up of truly impressive musicians and watch out for her Special Guests!
“Her deep…soulful voice was enthralling” BBC
Mon 24th 8:00pm RUMBAND FT MICHAEL BAILEY & AMA LIA
Featuring an array of brilliant and highly experienced musicians from the likes of Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, Greece, Dominica, Nigeria, Australia and the UK the Rumband is not named after the alcoholic beverage(!), it actually stands for “Rhythmic Underground Movement”, and rhythmic it certainly is! Led by singer Ama Lia and bassist Michael Bailey the band delivers a compelling array of musical styles, from Groove & Latin to Blues & Soul. Collectively the band include work with the likes of Bob Marley, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Steve Winwood, Eric Clapton, Pete Townsend, Chaka Khan, Lionel Richie & Beyonce and Ama Lia describes it as “a unique family of musicians with an immense wealth of experience, music and stories”
“Ama Lia has a…rich and strong story telling sassy voice which commands…attention” Soul Survivors Magazine
Tue 25th 8:00pm JONNY LIEBECK
Mixing 20th century-influenced jazz & fusion with electronic dance music, keyboardist & bandleader Jonny Liebeck has crafted a sound that captures the moment. He’s performed at the likes of the Purcell Room & Royal Albert Hall as well as playing alongside Cuban Jazz legend Omar Puente & Soul legend Mica Paris. With several recordings already to his name Jonny has just released his new EP “Influences”featuring new compositions performed by his Quintet. Joining Jonny on the stand are four outstanding musicians who have played with Questlove, Mark Ronson, Jamie Cullum, Grace Jones & more and are acclaimed in their own right: Donovan Haffner-sax, Tom Mason-bass, Owen Snider-guitar & Andrew McLean-drums.
“There is almost certainly no other musician on the London music scene … who has found such instinctively musical ways to combine jazz and electronic dance music. It is almost as if he is creating a new art form.” UK Jazz News
Wed 26th 8:00pm DAVE COTTLE TRIO & SARAH MEEK
Tonight we welcome the terrific pianist/trumpet player Dave Cottle with his quartet featuring the wonderful singer Sarah Meek, who will be performing songs from the Great American Songbook inspired by the classic recordings from Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald. The resident house pianist at Swansea Jazz Club for the past 30 years, Dave has a wealth of musical experience, while since graduating from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Sarah has firmly established herself as a fine jazz and session singer with an engaging stage presence and winning personality. The gig also includes arrangements and original songs from Dave’s new album in the style of Louis and Ella. Completing the band are two talented upcoming young musicians, Cameron Saint-bass & Euan Crawford-McKee-drums. And watch out for Dave’s mastery of playing Trumpet and Piano at the same time! Fun gig this.
“…very impressed by Sarah Meek’s performance which combined expressiveness with an impressive technical ability” The Jazz Mann
Thu 27th 8:00pm NEIL YATES ’‘LYRO’
Tonight one of the UK’s finest trumpet players, the brilliant Neil Yates, appears with his quartet performing an exciting and varied repertoire of jazz standards and melodic originals. Neil first came to prominence through the 90’s with work alongside the likes of The Brand New Heavies, Will Young and Robbie Williams. In the early 2000’s he moved to North Wales to write and record his award-winning first solo jazz album “New Origins” followed by his second “Five Countries” and has been there ever since. A highly respected educator he has also developed a reputation as an impressive composer of large scale works for jazz orchestra incorporating his interests in both Jazz and Celtic folk music. And if all that wasn’t enough he is a winner of Arts Council Wales’ Creative Wales Award and is Artistic Director of Llandudno Jazz Festival! Also featured tonight will be upcoming guitarist Tom Remon (Soweto Kinch, Jim Mullen), bass player James Owston (finalist BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year) and highly regarded MOBO-nominated drummer David Lyttle (Kurt Rosenwinkel, Joe Lovano, Dave Leibman, Seamus Blake).
“Yates…jazz with intelligence and a quiet passion” The Jazz Mann;
“[Yates]…beautifully varied improvisations” UK Jazz News;
“Remon…a beautifully executed set full of sincerity and satisfying playing” Jazzwise
Fri 28th 9:00pm SAMARA FT. STEVE RUBIE & KAW REGIS
Tonight we present an evening celebrating the joyous, rhythmic, delights of classic Brazilian MPB with the 606 Club’s outstanding Brazilian band “Samara”. Featuring the swinging flute of our “Gov’nor” Steve Rubie alongside the powerful piano of Neil Angilley and special guest, Brazilian vocalist & guitarist Kaw Regis, the band take you on a road trip around Brazil, with music from the South, the North, the North East and beyond. Hear the stories behind some of Brazil’s classic songs and join the band as they perform an infectious blend of Brazilian Samba, Baião, jazz & Latin while everyone has a great time!
“Cracking Latin-jazz quintet…explores…[Brazilian]…classics in great rhythmic style” Time Out
606 Club
90 Lots Road
Chelsea
London
SW10 0QD
020 7352 5953
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