606 Jazz Club, Chelsea, London - Live Music Programme: 1st-17th April 2025.
Sunday, March 23, 2025
Laura Thorne of the 606 has forwarded details of the Club's live performance programme for the first part of April. Fully detailed schedule ttached.
Laura Thorne writes;
606 Club Live Music: 1-17 April - Jay Azzolina, Ralph Moore, Andrea Vicari, Matt Holborn and much more
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.
Here is information about our live performances from the 1st to the 17th of April. For additional information about these shows, photos and video clips visit https://www.606club.co.uk/events/.
There are a couple of unique shows featuring visiting musicians that stand out as deserving special attention:
Wednesday 2nd: US guitarist Jay Azzolina (John Patitucci, Spyro Gyra et al)
Wed 9th: the ‘homecoming tour’ of UK-born saxophonist Ralph Moore (Dizzy Gillespie, Horace Silver, The Tonight Show)
As well as two album launches:
Tuesday 1st: Andrea Vicari “Lost in Dreams”
Wednesday 16th: Matt Holborn “For Stuff”
APRIL 1-17 LIVE MUSIC GUIDE
Tue 1st 8:00pm ** ALBUM LAUNCH ** ANDREA VICARI
Since receiving a scholarship to the Guildhall School of Music jazz pianist and composer Andrea Vicari has become an active and admired figure on the UK jazz scene. Multi-faceted and prolific, her CV features work with the likes of trumpeter Yazz Ahmed, Croatian guitarist Elvis Stanic, South African trumpeter Claude Deppa and US trumpeter Art Farmer. As a writer and composer her many credits include the Chet Baker musical ‘Speedball’ and she is also a founder and musical director of the Dordogne International Jazz Summer School (now in its 24th year). And if that weren’t enough, she also hosts a weekly radio show on http://www.jazzlondonradio.com. Tonight, Andrea will be launching her sixth album as bandleader, “Lost in Dreams”, which she describes as “characterised by strong rhythms and a variety of styles, from urban dance music to Balkan grooves all presented in a contemporary jazz format”. Also featured tonight will be the Award-winning Mark Lockheart (Loose Tubes, Polar Bear)-sax, Dorian Lockett-bass & Nic France-drums.
“an outstanding pianist and superb…composer” Penguin Rough Guide to Jazz;
“breathtakingly eclectic” The Guardian;
“[Lockheart] …inspired and imaginative” The Times
Wed 2nd 8:00pm JAY AZZOLINA FT ALEX GARNETT
US guitarist Jay Azzolina has had a remarkable career. After studying with Pat Metheny Jay went on to tour and record through the 1980’s with jazz fusion band Spyro Gyra, receiving a Grammy-award nomination in the process. Over a 30-year period as a leading light of the New York scene Jay includes work with the likes of Jaco Pastorious, Chuck Mangione & Rickie Lee Jones whilst his own collaborations with his friends, saxophonist Michael Brecker and bassist John Patitucci produced some of the finest music to come out of the US at that time. More recently his collaborations with saxophonist Chris Potter and organist Larry Goldings have been much lauded. Now resident in the UK, this is a rare opportunity to catch Jay’s playing, which is, as one would expect, a masterclass of style and taste. Joined by top UK musicians Alex Garnett (Ronnie Scott’s All Stars), bassist Oli Hayhurst and drummer Matt Skeaping, the quartet will perform an exciting mix of Jay’s own compositions, material from his upcoming 2025 album “Present Tense” and “reworked”standards. A special night!
“one of the finest and most talented guitarists on the planet.” Jazz Improv Magazine;
“Azzolina is the consummate performer” London Jazz News
Thu 3rd 8:00pm RAY GELATO/SIMON SPILLETT – TWO TENORS
Ray Gelato and Simon Spillett are both well-loved cornerstones of the UK jazz scene, Ray with his hugely popular Giants, Simon with his big band and quartet. Tonight they come together to celebrate a shared passion for their instrument of choice: the tenor saxophone. Admirers of the rich tradition of jazz tenor, their repertoire focuses upon the core elements of great songs and a hard swinging rhythm section. If you love the classic, melodic, swinging sax sounds of US masters such as Ben Webster, Coleman Hawkins, Illinois Jacquet, Dexter Gordon & Gene Ammons then this is the gig to be at! And expect plenty of on-stage fun too, as these two fine musicians retain the ideal of jazz as great entertainment.
“Britain’s “Godfather of Swing”, singer and saxophonist Ray Gelato” Observer;
“Spillett’s playing was rhapsodic, open and rich” UK Jazz News
Fri 4th 9:00pm EDGAR MACIAS BAND TRIBUTE TO BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB
UK-based Venezuelan pianist Edgar Macias is a sought-after pianist in a variety of musical styles, from jazz to salsa. His vast and impressive cv includes work with the likes of Wynton Marsalis, David Murray, Scott Hamilton and Bobby Wellins and tonight he will be showcasing his tribute to the iconic Cuban band The Buena Vista Social Club. The band and the Grammy-winning album of the same name released in 1996 became a worldwide phenomenon, selling over eight million records. Featuring Chris Bowden-sax, Tom Hill-bass/vocals, Miles Levin-drums and Nestor Pedrales-percussion this project is Edgar’s “take” on that album, featuring his arrangements of all the classic tracks for a Latin Jazz Quintet. If you like Latin music you will love this!
“Edgar Macias…played superbly throughout” Independent
Sat 5th 9:00pm DEREK NASH
The multi-Award-winning saxophonist Derek Nash is perhaps best known as one of the featured saxophonists with the Jools Holland Band. An experienced musician of many years standing his muscular, fluent, modern jazz playing has been recognised with numerous awards, including being voted one of the top five saxophonists in the country. Tonight Derek is bringing his great, swinging, band to the Club so expect something really quite special.
“bravura display of contemporary saxophone” The Observer;
“breathtaking” Sunday Times;
“the music fizzes with energy” Observer
Sun 6th 1:30pm SUNDAY LUNCH: GREG DAVIS TRIO WITH SPECIAL GUEST VANESSA ROSE
An engagingly melodic saxophone player in the classic mainstream style, Greg Davis led the band ‘Henry’s Pencil’ which held the attendance record at the famous 100 Club in Oxford Street for some time. A stalwart of the French Riviera (that’s Greg’s description, not ours!) he also performed at the Cannes Film Festival for over a decade. Today Greg will be appearing with Paul Eldridge-piano, Julian Bury-bass and their Special Guest vocalist Vanessa Rose, “performing some of the marvellous known and lesser-known standards along with some gorgeous bossa-nova”.
“Paul Eldridge…accomplished piano” Time Out
Sun 6th 8:00pm WAYNE HERNANDEZ
Wayne Hernandez is one of those fantastic singers who has been using his considerable talents for many years to make others sound good. He includes work with Tina Turner, Kool and the Gang and Gorillaz and more recently the Kingdom Choir, who took the world by storm performing at the wedding of Harry and Meghan. He describes his music as “…a living fusion of music styles from the Black music scene”. A brilliant set of powerful groove music from an impressive band of hand-picked musicians that defines the word “soul”. And Wayne is planning to finish our “Valentine’s Weekend” with some sultry soul alongside his dance favourites. Can’t be bad!
“...it was clear that Wayne had a very special talent, his voice, it was simply breathtaking” Livemusic.fm
Mon 7th 8:00pm DINO BAPTISTE
Best known here at the Club as the pianist with the iconic Blues singer Dana Gillespie, Dino first started performing as a singer/pianist in the mid 70’s, influenced by the likes of Ray Charles, Jerry Lee Lewis and Louis Prima. A busy and successful musician Dino includes work with the likes of Donald Fagen, Leo Sayer and Jeff Beck and his debut CD “Two Timing Lover” was received with considerable acclaim. It is music from this album plus as Dino puts it “an exclusive selection of old hits from my idols Ray Charles and Nat King Cole” that he will be performing tonight.
“Dino Baptiste…impressive…among the best of the…British blues keyboard players” Blues on Stage
Tue 8th 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 9th 8:00pm RALPH MOORE
Born in London but based in the US since the 1980’s, tenor saxophonist Ralph Moore returns to the UK for a long-awaited homecoming tour! Ralph has recorded and performed with a stunning array of jazz stars, including Dizzy Gillespie, Horace Silver, Freddie Hubbard & Ray Brown and was a member of the acclaimed ‘house band’ of the legendary Tonight Show for fifteen years. He has released numerous albums for prestige labels such as Criss Cross, Concord, and Landmark and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome him to the Club for his only London show. Ralph has chosen three of the finest jazz musicians in the UK jazz scene to accompany him: pianist & BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year Deschanel Gordon, the highly-regarded bassist Simon Woolf (Benny Golson, Harry Allen) & multi-award-winning drummer Shane Forbes (Empirical). A very rare opportunity to see this world-class player in the intimate setting of the 606.
“Moore possesses a round and burnished sound that sets him apart from his contemporaries.” All About Jazz;
“Gordon…the piano man to watch” London Jazz News;
“Simon Woolf… outstanding” Jazzwise;
“Forbes…a performance of searing intensity” The Jazz Mann
Thu 10th 8:00pm BENET MCLEAN
After winning a scholarship to the Purcell School of Music Benet was destined to be a concert violinist. However, by his early 20’s he had transferred his musical attention to jazz piano, playing with the likes of Omar, Cleveland Watkiss, Roachford and Loose Tubes. However, in a further musical twist, after performing as a highly regarded pianist for over ten years Benet once again returned to his first love, the violin, but this time as a swinging and immensely creative jazz musician. This evening Benet, with his quintet, will be playing tunes featured on his latest album “Green Park” as well as some choice numbers from the classic ‘Blue Note’ era.
“McLean…positively bursting with talent and energy” Jazzwise;
“McLean…it is readily apparent that his is an important jazz violin voice” Nigel Kennedy
Fri 11th 9:00pm THE COALMINERS
With their dedication to what they to refer to as “Swamp Soul” this brilliant 7-piece band, with their unique mixture of New Orleans Groove and Funk, bring the rhythm and soul of the deep south (that’s Louisiana, not Brighton…) alive. Featuring vocalists Tommy Hare & Amy Bird, drummer Pat Levett (Jon Cleary), pianist Harry Whitty (Dana Gillespie), guitarist Rob Updegraff (Gregory Porter), saxophonist/singer Ben Somers (Dr John, Seal) and bassist Spencer Brown this highly impressive line-up are guaranteed to raise the roof!
“totally blows me away…perfect” BBC Radio 2;
“Tommy Hare…just oozes charisma.” GetWestLondon; “Riotous” Jazz FM
Sat 12th 9:00pm CLOSED FOR PRIVATE EVENT
Sun 13th 1:30pm SUNDAY LUNCH: 606 GOSPEL GROUP FT RESOUNDING HARMONIES
Leading the Gospel Brunch this afternoon will be Resounding Harmonies, a three-voice vocal group comprised of Michelle Parris, Kathy McLeish and Sophie Harriot. All lead singers in their own right, between them they have over 25 years of experience performing as solo artists and worship leaders in groups, choirs, and jazz ensembles. They include a wide array of high-profile work on an impressive cv, including appearing at the likes of the Jazz Café and the Papal Visit in Hyde Park. Also featured today will be pianist Miko Giedroyc and the band. And don’t forget this is our family friendly gig, so children of all ages are welcome.
“Resounding Harmonies…all are just totally awesome” Fiona Yorke
Sun 13th 8:00pm HAMISH STUART & THE HAMISH HORNS
Probably best known for his work as the original lead singer/guitarist with The Average White Band, Hamish Stuart has had an illustrious career as both songwriter and performer. He has worked with the likes of Diana Ross, George Benson and Chaka Khan (for whom he wrote the No. 1 chart hit ‘Whatcha Gonna Do For Me’) culminating in six years with Paul McCartney. A regular member of Ringo Starr’s All Star band Hamish’s shows are always a special occasion. Tonight he will be appearing with his powerhouse 10-piece band: Jim Watson & Ross Stanley-keyboards; Adam Phillips-guitar; Steve Pearce-bass & Ian Thomas-drums, plus the 4-piece HS Horns..
“We love Stuart, the funky…singer/guitarist… still playing a superior blend of soul and jazz …while his voice has that unique smoky soul allure.” Time Out
Mon 14th 8:00pm HAMISH STUART & THE HAMISH HORNS
See Sunday 13th For this second night Hamish is coming back with his powerhouse 10-piece band. Trust us, this you can’t miss!
Tue 15th 8:00pm INTERPHASE
Founded in London by pianist Tomasz Zyrmont & saxophonist Sean Khan, Interphase is a groove/contemporary jazz quartet. The programme comprises unusual standards by masters Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock and Joe Henderson delivered with a modern twist, along with their own original compositions. Also featuring Marcus Penrose-bass & Filippo Galli-drums they have played and recorded with the likes of Hermeto Pascoal, Omar, Jim Mullen & Marcos Valle.
“Kahn…with a sound that is at once…familiar yet…all his own…he’s crafted some great tunes. A jazz powerhouse” Audiophile Review
Wed 16th 8:00pm ** ALBUM LAUNCH ** MATT HOLBORN ‘FOR STUFF’
Jazz violinist Matt Holborn has played in musical comedian Bill Bailey’s live band, is a founding member of the London Django Collective, hosts the Jazz Violin Podcast, has performed regularly with Kansas Smitty’s and is jazz strings workshop leader with Tomorrow’s Warriors. Tonight, along with his terrific quartet, Fraser Urquhart-piano, Simon Read-bass and Joe Dessauer-drums Matt will be launching an album dedicated to jazz violin legend Stuff Smith. A major figure in jazz from the 1930s, Smith worked with the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Oscar Peterson, Nat King Cole, and Ben Webster and their set will feature selections from Stuff’s repertoire alongside originals from the album, ‘For Stuff’, released officially this evening. The music lovingly showcases Stuff’s innovative approach to the violin alongside new work that pays homage to his sense of swing and energy!
“A consummate performer… Holborn blew hot…a marvellous set” Bebop Spoken Here;
“Violinist Matt Holborn displays his ability to move around the instrument fluidly whilst speaking fluently in the jazz manouche language…the compositions are intelligent, the standards are well executed and the performances are flawless.” London Jazz News
Thu 17th 8:00pm NOEL MCCALLA’S ‘IN GOOD HANDS’
Noel has, over the last 40 years, established himself as a singer of the highest calibre. From work with the likes of the iconic Morrisey-Mullen band through groups such as McCalla and Moon to 17 years with Manfred Mann, his soaring vocals have graced Clubs and Festivals around the world. As well as his copious studio work, these days he is probably best known as the co-leader, with Jools Holland saxophonist Derek Nash, of the enormously popular “The Wonder of Stevie”, whose unique interpretations of the music of Stevie Wonder have garnered praise and plaudits the length and breadth of the UK. Tonight, in a change of pace, he is bringing his own band of Andy Noble (Anastasia, Omar)-keyboards, Tim Cansfield (Bee Gees, Elton John, Chaka Khan)-guitar, Orefo Orakwue (Anastasia, Billy Ocean)-bass & Jack Pollitt-drums (Ed Sheeran, Beyoncé) to the Club to, as he describes it, “pay tribute to the great US soul legends - Al Jarreau, Bill Withers and Al Green”. A Groove fest from a master of the genre.
“One of Britain’s best Soul Singers” Blues and Soul Magazine;
“spine tingling” Guardian;
“confident, individual…graceful and dynamic” Independent on Sunday
606 Club
90 Lots Road
Chelsea
London
SW10 0QD
020 7352 5953
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