FEBRUARY 2010


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FULLY AIR CONDITIONED

MONDAY 1st chico chagas

Hailing from the Brazilian Amazon Chico Chagas is generally recognised as one of the great Brazilian accordionist/pianists in World music. His fluent style and remarkable technique have made him something of a star in his native Brazil, including work with the likes of Brazilian super-stars such as Nana Vasconcelos, Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, Djavan, Nana Caymmi, Joao Bosco and Elza Soares (for whom he was also Musical Director). His music is at once flowing and surprising, melodic and rich in Brazilian melody. A unique band on the UK scene and an absolute must see.

“Chagas…a fine accordionist”
Time Out

"A fantastic musician" Egberto Gismonti

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Tuesday 2nd

Russ Henderson MBE. Russ is a wonderful Afro-Caribbean pianist who celebrated his 75th birthday at the Club some time ago, but who still plays as if he’s 21. Recently awarded an MBE in recognition of the wonderful work Russ has done for the UK music scene over the years he is an accomplished steel pan player as well as pianist and one of the founders of the Notting Hill Carnival. His brand of mainstream piano playing is still truly infectious, and everyone just has fun!

“..a primary force in jazz, calypso and steelband in England for over half a century” Calypsoworld.

Al Wynette band feat. jane parker. Our regular Mainstream quintet who have been working the first Friday of the month virtually since we opened. Featuring Al on trumpet (and occasional vocals!) and Ron Findon on sax and clarinet this is terrific “good-time” jazz featuring music primarily from the twenties and thirties, and great fun.


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Wednesday 3rd

JOHN TURVILLE ***cd launch***  An excellent young pianist John has already performed with some of the UK’s finest musicians, including the likes of Tim Garland, Tim Whitehead and Gilad Atzmon. A fluent and thoughtful musician John is also a prominent member of the Loop Collective, a growing London-based collective of young musicians exploring and blurring the boundaries of classical music, jazz, free/improvised music and electronica. Tonight he will be launching his latest album “Midas” with his acoustic trio performing an interesting mix of Jazz standards and melodic originals. Excellent music from one of the vanguard of young players to hit the UK jazz scene.

“…pianist Turville… whose subtle ebb and flow echoes [the great] John Taylor” Guardian

Colin Oxley A multi Award winning guitarist Colin is a gentle player, whose fluid style and relaxed, “laid-back” approach make for a wonderfully  enjoyable, night. His work with singer Stacey Kent has led to Colin being recognised around the globe as a World class player and one of the finest guitarists ever to come from the UK. Amongst his numerous gigs he includes regular work at New York’s famous Algonquin Hotel, appearances at the Montreux and North Sea Jazz Festivals and work with the likes of Scott Hamilton and Harry Allen. A beautiful gig from a master of the Jazz guitar.

“..Colin Oxley, whose magnificent guitar is dazzling and deliciously melodic” Crescendo Magazine

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Thursday 4tH chris garrick

A Jazz violinist of considerable power and musicality, Chris is also highly regarded for his work with the likes of The Brand New Heavies and Brian Ferry, as well as appearing on a significant number of film and TV soundtracks. He is also no stranger to the classical concert halls, but it is his Jazz violin for which he is best known. A fluent and inventive player with a string of awards to his name his subtle yet always driving playing is a testament to a thoughtful but at the same time joyous approach to the music. Featuring pianist Dave Gordan his quartet’s cd, “Different Strokes” was described as “…the outstanding British album of the year..”. Sunday Times. A true master of his instrument.

..exquisite musician…violin superstar” Guardian.


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Friday 5th BOSCO DE OLIVEIRA’S “ARAKATUBA”.

“Arakatuba” is a 6 piece Brazilian/Jazz “Groove” band led by one of the finest Brazilian percussion players in Europe, Bosco De Oliveira. The band has performed it’s brand of Jazz influenced Brazilian music around the World and includes work with the likes of Airto Moreira (Miles Davies, Chick Corea) and Dom Um Romao (Weather Report) on an impressive cv. Bosco himself has been resident in the UK since 1984 and is considered to be one of the most influential of the Brazilian musicians currently working in Europe. As well as gigs with his friend Airto, Bosco is one of the co-founders of the London School of Samba and includes work with the likes of Hamish Stuart and Terry Callier on a hugely impressive cv. A highly regarded teacher and lecturer Bosco holds a Masters degree in Music from London University. Also featured in the band are the saxophonist Dave Bitelli (Elton John, Jools Holland) and pianist Ugo Delmirani (Steve Windwood, Ronny Jordan, Mica Paris) playing music Bosco describes as “Brazilian roots with a Jazz/Dance approach”. A rhythmical feast!

“…superb band led by fabulous Brazilian percussionist Bosco D'Oliveira with sublime vocals….and saxophonist Dave Bitelli.”
Time Out



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Saturday 6th matt wates sextet

Matt is a lovely, melodic, alto saxophonist who performs in the classic be-bop style. One of those players who studied in America his impressive technique and liquid sound are testament to a fine talent. His writing is also superlative and this great six piece band, boasting a 3 horn front line, is quite brilliant. The music is a wonderfully melodic mix of classic jazz standards and beautifully arranged originals performed by some of the finest players on the scene. As well as Matt on sax the line up also includes fellow saxophonist Steve Maine and trumpet player Martin Shaw, widely regarded as one of the finest trumpet players in Europe, who has been heard with the likes of Sting, Natalie Cole and Cleo Lane. A terrific jazz gig from some great players. 

“Elegant and affectionately crafted… the soloing is very high class” The Guardian

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Sunday 7th gwyneth herbert

One of the most creative and striking performers currently working on the UK scene Gwyn’s soulful, seductive, voice is something quite special, bringing sophistication to the singer/songwriter material, and a wonderful “edge” to the occasional Jazz number. Her first CD “Bittersweet and Blue” on Universal received enormous acclaim and her latest CD “Between me & the Wardrobe”, featuring many of her wonderful originals, has just been released to universal praise and excitement. And just to prove the point, this enormously talented young vocalist with the sultry voice and stylish delivery already includes Sir Paul McCartney, Kevin Costner and Michael Parkinson among her fan base! Quite brilliant.

"One of the country’s most exciting talents"
Sunday Times

“..remarkably gifted performer” Guardian

“..majestic-voiced” Jazz UK



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Monday 8th tony o'malley

TONY O’MALLEY is unquestionably one of the most charismatic vocalists working in the UK. A featured performer since the late 60’s his cv is vast, including stints with the band “10CC” and his own seminal Jazz/Funk band “Kokomo”. His brand of jazz tinged contemporary soul and blues is really stunning, with his fabulous, smoky, velvety growl of a voice, delivering original material and some covers in his inimitable style. With 5 cd’s to his name, including one recorded live at Ronnie Scott’s plus a Jazz Standards album, Tony has established himself as one of the most original and powerful performers on the scene today. If you like contemporary R&B vocals with a touch of Jazz in the Blues Brothers style, then this is definitely for you.

“..the velvet gravel throated O’Malley is one of the UK’s most undersung vocal performers..the songs drenched in the deep soulful spirit that characterises everything he touches…one of the UK’s hottest properties”
Jazzwise magazine



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Tuesday 9th


DAN REINSTEIN 
American born but British educated, I first met Dan at the old Club when he was a medical undergraduate. Even then he was an impressive player, and after taking time off his medical studies to go to the Berklee School of Music he became even better. He returned to the USA in the early 90’s, where he became one of the world’s leading experts in laser eye surgery (he’s now officially Professor Reinstein). But he never stopped playing, and when he returned to London to live and work (www.londonvisionclinic.com) it was great to hear his fluent, classic hard-bop, muscular sax playing again.

“impressive hard-bop saxophonist” Time Out


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Mark McKnight Since graduating from Berklee College of Music in 2006 Award winning guitarist Mark McKnight has gone on to establish himself as one of Ireland's leading young jazz musicians.  With a growing international reputation, as evidenced last year when he placed 3rd in the Montreux International Jazz Guitar Competition 2008 (open to all guitarists under 30 worldwide), Mark has performed throughout Europe and shared the stage with such musicians as Sam Yahel (Joshua Redmond), Jason Rebello and Jean Toussaint. Earlier this year he released his first CD as a leader entitled "Overnight".  Recorded in NYC it features some of the world's leading young jazz musicians and was released to much critical acclaim. Mark's recent award from the Musicians Benevolent Fund has helped him establish a weekly performance opportunity in Belfast with monthly guests from the UK, Europe and the US. 

“...guitarist Mark McKnight is one of the best young musicians to emerge on the Irish jazz scene. Blessed with a gorgeous tone and abundant technique, he makes an assured debut...he’s already an exceptional talent and one to watch”
Irish Times.


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Wednesday 10th


Leonid ShinKarenko
An acoustic and electric bass virtuoso the award winning Lithuanian bass player Leonid Shinkarenko has been a cornerstone of the Lithuanian jazz scene for more than 25 years. He first came to prominence in 1981 and over the following 15 years established an enviable reputation as one of the finest bass players in Eastern Europe, performing in all the major Jazz Clubs and festivals as well as appearing on over 60 albums. In 1997 he made his debut as a leader, releasing an album of his own compositions, Sagittarius. He has since produced 3 further albums under his own name as well as recording and touring with the Award winning Lithuanian Jazz Trio. His fluent and creative playing has been heard at numerous Festivals around Europe including the Jazz Jamboree in Warsaw, Varna Jazz Festival in Bulgaria, Jazz Expo in Genoa, Italy and the International Music Fair MIDEM in Cannes, France. An educationalist of some note he started the annual Nida Jazz Marathon in Lithuania that has now evolved into the Nida Jazz Festival. The band this evening features one of the best jazz trumpet players in Lithuania Valerijus Ramoška, pianist Dainius Pulauskas and drummer Linas Būda.

“Leonid Shinkarenko is one of the most illustrious figures in Lithuanian Jazz, virtuoso jazz bassist and distinctive Jazz composer.” Nommejazz

This concert is presented in collaboration with the Lithuanian Embassy in London and airlines Star 1.

UGO DELMIRANI Originally from Italy, Ugo has been in London for many years now. His Latin influenced modern jazz style has been heard to great effect with many bands over the years, most notably with the acid Jazz vocalist Carmel and artists such as Aierto Moreira,  Steve Windwood, Ronny Jordan and Mica Paris. Probably best known at the Club for his work with Dill Katz and the Jazz/Brazilian band “Samara” this is a great Jazz/Latin piano trio gig from one of the leading lights of the UK Latin scene.


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Thursday 11th neil angilley

NEIL ANGILLEY is a brilliant pianist, equally at home playing Jazz, Latin or Classical. He has worked with the acid jazz percussionist Snowboy, violin virtuoso Vanessa Mae and was keyboardist and arranger for Jazz chart topping band “Down to the Bone” and includes work with the likes of Shirley Bassey, Michael Ball and “War of The Worlds” on a glittering cv. A great Latin/Brazilian player his remarkable playing is enormously respected throughout the scene. Look out for Neil’s debut album “Havana Club” featuring some of his renowned Latin/jazz original compositions. Also featured tonight will be his storming rhythm section of Davide Giovaninni on drums/timbales/vocals and Davide Mantovani on bass. Quite brilliant.

“Inventive” Observer

“Lyrical…impressively fluid” The Times

“rhapsodic..with shrewd use of space and restraint”
Guardian



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Friday 12th manteca feat. martha acosta - vocals

This 7 piece salsa band, formed by famed Colombian singer Martha Acosta, has been “salsa-ing” across the UK and Europe for almost 5 years now. Martha, best known for her work with her all woman Latin band “Candela” and Roberto Pla’s “Latin Ensemble”, drives the band along with her searing Latin vocals and powerhouse personality. And she is ably supported by some of the finest Latin musicians on the scene, including Don Fiora (bass), Satin Singh (percussion) and Paul Jayasinha (trumpet). One of the best salsa bands working the scene today.

"Ripping funky Salsa from the finest Latin musicians of London, guaranteed to induce all manner of heel-stamping and handclapping” Fact Magazine



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Saturday 13TH DON WELLER

Don is widely recognised as one of Europe’s leading hard-bop tenor sax. players. A big man with a broad sound and great charisma, Don, a veteran of more than 30 years standing on the British Jazz scene, has worked with some of the finest British and American players, including Alan Price, Stan Tracey and Gil Evans. A great guy and a fabulous gig.

“..captivating ...one of the most entertaining, straight-ahead saxophonists on the UK circuit” Guardian



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Sunday 14th ***VALENTINE NIGHT SPECIAL*** featuring TAMMY WEIS with TOM CAWLEY-piano, AL CHERRY-guitar.

Tammy is a fine Canadian singer, now resident in London, who has been performing to great acclaim in her native Vancouver for some years now. Emanating from a musical background Tammy grew up with music of all descriptions from an early age. However, her love for the American song book has led her firmly in to the area of the classic Jazz standards, which she performs with a wonderful sense of melody and swing. Her debut CD, “Legacy” has been universally well received, and has led to appearances on national TV and radio as well as gigs at both the Montreal and Vancouver Jazz Festivals.  Highlights in London include playing with Jamie Cullum at the Jazz Café and Ray Gelato at Birmingham Symphony Hall. The perfect music for a memorably romantic evening.

Optional Music charge £15 plus Set Menu £49 (including a glass of Champagne). Booking Only.


“Tammy Weis has a deliciously haunting voice… this is how it’s supposed to be done” John Beaudin 103.1 FM

“She’s the real deal” Time Out



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Monday 15th adam phillips band featuring joe burt

Adam is perhaps best known at the Club for his wonderful guitar work with the Hamish Stuart Band, but he also includes work with the likes of Cher, Tina Turner, Rod Stewart and Whitney Houston. And as well as all that, he is also a very fine singer in his own right. Leading a band of some of the finest players in the country, Adam produces a roaring set of great “urban” Blues. Also featured is the terrific bass player and singer Joe Burt, and when the two of them get going it’s really something special.

“..a fantastic player”
Hamish Stuart

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Tuesday 16th ***YAMAHA AT THE 6*** PETER IND WITH SPECIAL GUEST ***LEE KONITZ***
CD RECORDING “LIVE AT THE 606 CLUB” featuring ROD YOUNGS-drums

Bass player Peter Ind’s playing is universally admired and respected throughout the International Jazz scene. One of the most charismatic musicians on the scene today Peter emigrated to the USA in the early 50’s where his phenomenal technique and impressive musical ability led to work not only with Lee but also with Jazz greats such as Buddy Rich, Coleman Hawkins and Billie Holliday. He returned to the UK in the mid 60’s where he established himself as a performer and teacher of great distinction, adding a record label (Wave) to his achievements, and then, in the mid 80’s he also opened the internationally renowned “Bass Clef” Jazz Club in London, which he ran for more than 10 years. Tonight Peter’s Special Guest is his fellow Tristano alumni Lee Konitz, who is without question one of the great stylists in modern Jazz. After studying with the iconic Lennie Tristano in the late 40’s Lee went on to work with Miles Davies and was an integral part of Miles’s group that produced “The Birth of The Cool”, one of the seminal albums of modern jazz. After his stint with Miles he continued working with the Stan Kenton Band before establishing himself as a leader, working from the mid 50’s through to the present day as a bandleader and featured artist. It was Lee’s unique sound and approach that was so hugely influential, steering a whole generation of young alto players towards what became known as the “West Coast” sound, a gentler more reflective approach to the music best seen in the likes of Paul Desmond (of Dave Brubeck fame) and Art Pepper. One of the very few musicians to originate a Jazz “style” Lee’s creativity and musicality remain undimmed and it is with enormous pleasure that we present this remarkable musician. Also featured tonight will be the wonderful US drummer Rod Youngs. The guys will be recording, for Wave, a CD of the gig. So if you want to be captured for posterity and hear some World class music at the same time, this is the gig to be at! Special bandleaders, special gig this one. 

“Konitz…a certifiable jazz legend, with peerless high-modernist credentials and an integrity equal to his talent.” NY Times

“Lee Konitz…one of the world's most fearless and ingenious exponents of improvising” Guardian

“Konitz…the archetypal improvising musician…breathtaking…a master” AllAboutJazz

“..full of wit and vigour… Ind's solos exploit his ever-resourceful technique and resonant tone” Evening Standard.           

£15

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Wednesday 17th ***YAMAHA AT THE 6*** PETER IND WITH SPECIAL GUEST ***LEE KONITZ***
CD RECORDING “LIVE AT THE 606 CLUB” featuring ROD YOUNGS-drums

See Tuesday 16th for info.


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thursday 18th simon mulligan

Although many Jazz musicians are also trained classical musicians it is unusual for a musician to manage successful careers in both fields. Pianist Simon Mulligan is certainly one who has managed this to great success. At the age of 19 Simon recorded his first classical CD under the direction of Yehudi Menhuin, with whom he was later to successfully work. Since that time he has produced 15 highly regarded CD’s, and included work with the BBC Symphony as well as appearances at the Wigmore Hall, Carnegie Hall and the Royal Albert Hall. Intriguingly Simon’s Jazz credentials are equally as strong, as is his composing work which includes numerous compositions for both TV and Film. The Jazz quartet he leads tonight features some of the finest young jazz players in Europe, including the searing tenor sax of the excellent Frank Walden.

“Pianist Simon Mulligan plays up a storm”
Dallas Morning News

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Friday 19th STEFAN REDTENBACHER’S “RB FUNKESTRA”

Austrian born bass player Stefan Redtenbacher has, over the last 10 years, established himself as the UK’s “groove” bass player of choice for many artists, both live and recorded. The roster of artists with whom he has worked includes Steve Winwood, Sam Brown, Herb Alpert and Danny Gotlieb. His own recordings feature “Jazz/funk” legends Fred Wesley and Elliot Randall (Steely Dan) and he has also established himself as a producer and educator of some note. The band that he leads tonight is his 5 piece “Funkestra”, the name of which pretty accurately describes the high energy and style of the music. Boasting some of the best players in Europe this band performs original “groove” music with an authority and style that is hard to beat.

“The Governor of Bass” BBC Radio2

“..a near perfect slice of jazz-funk bass from one of Europe’s great players.” Bass Guitar magazine.

www.stefanredtenbacher.com

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Saturday 20th MORNINGTON LOCKETT with Special Guest NICOLAS MEIER.

Mornington Lockett is now well established as one of the great British tenor sax players. After working with the Ronnie Scott quintet for almost three years he went on to be featured on numerous sessions and gigs. Perhaps best known for his work with singer Sarah Jane Morris and the Tracey’s, Stan and Clark, he is also the featured sax player on drummer Martin Drew’s cd tribute to the late Ronnie Scott, as well as the driving force behind the remarkable “Celebrating the Jazz Couriers” quintet. He has a powerful and hugely impressive sound and approach, and this is always a great gig. Multi-award winning Swiss guitarist Nicolas Meier is one of the rising stars of the UK jazz scene. Following his scholarship to Berklee in Boston, USA he returned to Switzerland in 1998 but a few years later decided to settle in London. He has toured extensively in Europe, sharing the bill with the likes of Elvin Jones, Brad Meldau, Trilok Gurtu and Bill Evans and in 2006 his band won the prestigious Grand Prize Of The Jury and 1st Prize Jazz Guitar at Jazz a Juan Revelations. Nicolas draws on a multitude of influences, Jazz, Flamenco, Latin and middle-eastern music and his trademark sound, as heard on his Naim albums, is a mixture of Pat Metheny influenced jazz & spicy Turkish & world music rhythms. Also featured with this special band this evening is the Vienna based US drummer Robert Castelli and the wonderful UK based bass player Patrick Bettison.

“Lockett..plays with tremendous fluency and drive”
Evening Standard

“World class” Jazz Journal

“inspired” Jazzwise Magazine

“Meier is elegant in tone and bubbling with ideas... his originality as a writer, a player and a team leader dispatches any doubts”
The Guardian

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SUNDAY 21ST SUNDAY LUNCHTIME SPECIAL (1:00pm-4:00pm). SUNDAY AFTERNOON GOSPEL BRUNCH WITH ***THE 606 CLUB GOSPEL GROUP*** plus special guests!

After two years of hosting some of the finest Gospel performers around we decided that it was time that we formed our very own Gospel Group! So, under the auspices of 606 regulars, keyboardist Miko Giedroyc and bass player Andre Gabriel in association with the brilliant Gospel singer and choral director Tracey Campbell, we present our very own 10 piece Gospel ensemble, the “606 Gospel Group”. This is a group comprising of a 4 piece band accompanying a 6 voice Gospel choir under Tracey’s direction. The choir is drawn from a pool of some of the finest Gospel singers on the scene with some terrific singers signed up to work with us. And don’t forget this is our family day so children are more than welcome.

£10

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then, in the evening...

Sunday 21st mary pearce

The “Queen” of studio and backing vocals you may not know Mary’s name but you will certainly have heard her fantastic voice. Her powerful, soulful vocals have been heard with the cream of the Jazz, Soul, R&B and Pop world, including the likes of Lionel Ritchie, Grace Jones, Chaka Khan, Courtney Pine, Mica Paris, Beverley Knight, Culture Club, Marcella Detroit, Donna Summer, Roy Ayres…..the list goes on. As well as more than 15 years as a studio singer Mary has also featured as a lead vocalist with a number of “Groove” and Dance bands, most notably the band “Up Yer Ronson” (who thought of that name?!). The 2004 release of “Young Hearts” with Kujay Da Da once again brought Mary to the forefront of the Dance Music industry, culminating in her show stopping performance at the 2004 House Music Awards. After many years of making other singers sound good Mary has finally decided to step in to the limelight with her own band, much to the delight of those of us who have known and admired her work for so long. So, if you like great Soul and “Groove” vocals then you definitely have to make it to this gig. You won’t be disappointed, I guarantee it!

“Signed, Sealed, Delivered” is a tour de force for Pearce, who sings upfront and strong…..” Guardian

“Formidable…” IndieLondon

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MONDAY 22ND tommy blaize

Liverpudlian Tommy Blaize is a fantastic singer/keyboardist who is widely admired and respected throughout the music “business”. Although for many years an unseen figure “behind the scenes” his voice is familiar to millions from work with the likes of Tina Turner, Craig David, Brand New Heavies, Joe Cocker, The Osmonds, Take That, Gary Barlow, Marti Pellow and Lulu and from TV ads such as Coca Cola, Chanel, Cadburys, Levis, British Gas & British Airways. Considered one of the most in-demand session singers on the scene, he has been featured on numerous film and TV soundtracks, Tommy has been heard here at the Club with, amongst others, Madeline Bell and Guy Chambers (Robbie Williams). However, more recently Tommy has been finally achieving some hugely deserved recognition as a brilliant singer in his own right after his appearances as the resident singer on BBC TV’s “Strictly Come Dancing” (oh, that singer!). A great guy and a fantastic performer it is with enormous pleasure that we welcome Tommy to the Club this evening with his own fantastic band, featuring fellow “Strictly” band members Dave Arch-piano and Trevor Barry-bass, playing a selection of classic “Groove” and R&B standards with possibly the odd Jazz tune thrown in for good measure. One of the great British vocalists this rare gig of the Tommy Blaize Band is an absolute must – trust me!

“Tommy Blaize…oozes Soul and class” Jazz n Jazz.




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Tuesday 23RD ***YAMAHA AT THE 606*** GWILYM SIMCOCK’s BIRTHDAY GIG.

A multi-Award winning pianist, Gwilym is unquestionably one of the finest players of his generation. Fluent and highly inventive his powerful piano playing adds class to any group that he’s in. He includes work with the likes of Bill Bruford, Kyle Eastwood, Kenny Wheeler and Lee Konitz on a dazzling cv and it’s a testament to his remarkable abilities that he has already won the Perrier, BBC Jazz and British Jazz Rising Star Awards and is a Radio 3 “New Generation Artist” (the first Jazz musician to receive this accolade). He was voted “Jazz Musician of the Year” at the 2007 Parliamentary Jazz Awards and been nominated for two more BBC Jazz Awards. You get the idea – he’s pretty good! Not content with being a great player Gwilym also has a burgeoning career as a composer, including the highly acclaimed live televised performance (BBC 2) of his Jazz/Contemporary Classical piece “Progressions” with the BBC Concert Orchestra as part of the 2008 BBC Proms season. Gwilym is without question one of the most gifted instrumentalist in the UK and is rightly considered one of the most exciting talents to emerge in recent years. Tonight he will be performing with his International trio featuring Yuri Goloubev on double bass and James Maddren on drums, playing material from his quite brilliant new CD “Blues Vignette” on Basho Records. Oh, and it’s his birthday so expect some great Surprise Guests as well…!

“A creative genius” Chick Corea

“I feel confident that Simcock already deserves to occupy the inner circle of the great contemporary pianists along with Mehldau, Jarrett, and Rubalcaba” Cadence U.S.A.

“remarkable ….exceptional, as both player and composer.” The Observer

“...a prodigious musician..…a piano star he is a proper 21st-century musician to whom genre boundaries form no obstruction..it's all just music to Simcock” Independent



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Wednesday 24th NICK SMART/MALCOLM EDMONSTON QUINTET with Special Guest JOHN GUNTHER

Nick Smart is a terrific Jazz trumpeter who has established himself in the varied worlds of both small group and Big Band Jazz as well as becoming a leading light in UK Jazz education. As a player he includes work with the likes of the Stan Sulzmann Big Band, London Jazz Orchestra, Michael Garrick Big Band and the BBC Big Band and is the regular soloist with the James Taylor Quartet. His two CD’s to date, “Remembering Nick Drake” and “Remembering Louis Armstrong”, performed with some of the finest musicians on the UK scene have both been received with considerable critical acclaim. As an Educator he was invited to create and direct the Royal Academy of Music Junior Jazz Course and this was so successful he was rapidly appointed Jazz Co-ordinator and then Bmus Tutor at the Royal Academy. He is also on the faculty at the Guildhall School of Music and Middlesex University, as well as a regular tutor on various Jazz summer schools including Glamorgan, Wavendon, Burnley and Trinity. Nick’s special guest tonight is US sax star John Gunther. John holds a BM in Music Performance from Berklee College of Music and a MM  in Jazz Studies from the University of Miami. Currently Professor of Jazz Studies at Colorado University John has performed or  recorded with the likes of John Abercrombie, Buddy DeFranco, Dizzy Gillespie, Tom Harrel, Dewey Redman, Joe Williams, The Woody Herman Orchestra, The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra and The Maria Schneider Orchestra. Prior to his appointment at CU, he taught at New York University and as part of New York city's "downtown" music scene for many years, he produced five recordings for Creative Improvised Music Projects (CIMP) as a leader and is co-founder of the new music group, "Spooky Actions". A fantastic player it is with great pleasure that we welcome John to the Club this evening. Also featured tonight will be the piano playing of the excellent Malcolm Edmonston.

“Smart’s playing was strong and lyrical, his soloing on ballads a real feature…he blew with an unreserved intimacy….fresh and innovative yet, thankfully, never straying too far from….joyous simplicity” Jazzwise

“John Gunther…voluble lyric invention…a fluent composer-performer who is redefining mainstream Jazz” Cadence Magazine

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Thursday 25th MIKE WESTBROOK/KATE WESTBROOK DUO - “allsorts”.

Composer/bandleader Mike Westbrook and singer/librettist Kate Westbrook first joined forces in the mid-1970's. Touring and performing worldwide they have generated a huge variety of vocal music, from Jazz and Cabaret through to opera, poetry and of course their own original songs. Composer, arranger Mike Westbrook, who was awarded an OBE in 1988 for services to music, has long been regarded as one of the UK’s most creative and influential Jazz/contemporary composers. Widely admired and respected worldwide, he has over 50 albums to his name and an International reputation that has quite literally taken him around the globe. His settings of the poetry of William Blake, “The Westbrook Blake”, have been described in The Independent on Sunday as “Perhaps the greatest work in all British Jazz.”. Singer Kate Westbrook’s repertoire embraces Contemporary Music and Cabaret, as well as Jazz and Popular Song. She has written libretti for Opera and Music Theatre. Her recent album, “Cuff Clout” was reviewed in Downbeat magazine “Westbrook sets her witty and eccentric texts to bold and fascinating genre-crossing music.” Tonight this Internationally acclaimed duo will be celebrating the release of their latest CD “allsorts” with an evening of original songs, Jazz Ballads and Theatre Music classics.

“A showcase for the zestful, powerfully dramatic vocal style of one of the UK's most individual singers, Kate Westbrook - her extraordinary impact is best savoured live.”The Times

“Mike Westbrook is a Master of jazz orchestration. He can suggest a carnival, a ballroom, or greasy back street with a few cunningly placed notes. The full effect is awe inspiring”
The Observer                                   

           £12

www.westbrookjazz.co.uk       

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Friday 26th "samara"

“SAMARA” is a six piece jazz/latin group which I [Steve Rubie] lead on flute and sax, and suffice it to say I think the guys in the band are just great! The pianist, Neil Angilley works with Vanessa Mae, Shirley Bassey and “Down to the Bone”, Dill Katz, the bass player is visiting professor at the Guildhall, Nic France the drummer has worked with just about everyone, including “Loose Tubes” and Bill Withers, the percussionist, Dawson Miller is generally recognised as one of the most versatile and experienced players on the scene, and the singer Liliana Chachian, who includes work with iconic dance band “Da Latta” and the influential “Negrocan”, is considered to be one of the finest Brazilian singers currently working in Europe. The music is an infectious blend of Brazilian Samba, jazz/latin and Soul, and we all have a great time!

“Cracking Latin-jazz quintet led by 606 proprietor Steve Rubie on flute and alto saxophone…explores these Latin jazz classics in great rhythmic style”
Time Out

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Saturday 27thMARK NIGHTINGALE/NIGEL HITCHCOCK QUINTET - “Out of The Box”.

Mark Nightingale is widely considered to be one of the finest Jazz trombonists in Europe. A World Class player he won the coveted Don Lusher Award at the age of fifteen and by sixteen was already lead trombonist in the National Youth Jazz Orchestra. After graduating from Trinity College of Music in the late 80’s he rapidly established himself as one of the UK’s busiest studio musicians as well as a highly respected Jazz soloist. He has worked and recorded with the likes of Sting, Tom Jones, Henry Mancini, Michel Legrand and Frank Sinatra and as a soloist has appeared alongside Jazz luminaries such as Clark Terry, Bill Holman, Slide Hampton, James Morrison and Ray Brown. As well as leading his own quartet and Big Band Mark is currently to be heard with Cleo Laine and John Dankworth, the Charlie Watts Ten-tet, Stan Tracey’s “Ellingtonia”, the Kenny Wheeler Big Band and the Andy Panayi Quartet. Nigel Hitchcock is unquestionably one of the finest saxophonists of his generation. This multi-award winning musician was lead alto with the NYJO at the age 12, graduating to busy professional session musician by the time he was 16. He has been a featured player with some of the finest musicians in the World, including work with the likes of Ray Charles, Tom Jones and Robbie Williams and Jazz musicians such as Stan Tracey and Claire Martin. In more recent years he has also added composing and arranging to his accomplishments, including works for full-scale orchestra. A fantastic post-bop player his remarkable technique and ferocious attack make him one of the most impressive saxophonists in Europe. Tonight the quintet will be playing Mark’s original music and arrangements from his latest CD, just released on Woodville Records, “Out of The Box”. Also featured tonight is the (not surprisingly!) World Class rhythm section of Graham Harvey (Stacey Kent, George Benson)-piano, Laurence Cottle (Bill Bruford, Claire Martin)-bass and Ian Thomas (Eric Clapton, Natalie Cole)-drums.

“Nigel Hitchcock…..rich…powerful and individual saxophonist” Independent

“agile player Mark Nightingale….one of the UK's leading trombonists” Guardian

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SUNDAY 28TH SUNDAY LUCHTIME SPECIAL (1:00 - 4:00pm) WITH ***THE UNIVERSITY OF LONDON BIG BAND***

This band performs classic Jazz standards from the repertoire of Big Bands such as Glenn Miller and Count Basie with some more contemporary material added for good measure. With alumni taken from all the London based Universities and directed by saxophonist Pete Long (Ronnie Scott Jazz Orchestra, Jules Holland) this talented and exciting Big Band is well worth catching. This is our “family” gig so remember small children are most welcome.

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then, in the evening...

Sunday 28th connie lush

This charismatic, powerhouse, Blues singer has established herself over recent years as one of the leading UK performers. Hugely respected on the Blues scene it is little surprise that she has been voted “Best UK Female Blues Vocalist” seven years in a row. Supported by a classic blues band this Liverpool based performer has an enviable reputation not just in the UK but all around Europe. It is a reflection of the high esteem with which she is held that she was chosen as one of the featured artists to launch Liverpool’s year as European Capital of Culture (just before Ringo Starr!). The Times report of that performance:  “Connie Lush belted out I Put a Spell on You with a voice like a 3am whisky and enough electricity to power the national grid.”

The Scotsman described her as “….a battle scarred sandpaper edged cross between Tina Turner and Aretha Franklin, attacking barenuckle R&B and slow burn torch songs with equal power and passion”.

Now that you can’t miss! 


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All Notes by Steve Rubie

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