Shane Forbes: ‘lush swing…a perfect venue’ JAZZWISE

9 January 2023

One of the UK’s top jazz drummers, Shane Forbes brought his extraordinary
band to 606 on 26th  October 2022 to present a beautiful set of carefully chosen
tracks, exploring the music of two American jazz singer/pianists, Blossom Dearie
and Shirley Horn.
 
Shane Forbes is a co-leader and founder of the internationally acclaimed and
award-winning group EMPIRICAL who have been a force for representing UK jazz
for over a decade. Some of Forbes’ career’s highlights include regular
appearances with the likes of Tomorrow’s Warriors, Jean Toussaint, Billy Jenkins,
Claire Martin, Robert Mitchell and Soweto Kinch. His particularly impressive
textural expressiveness and musical freedom have been the trademark of his
sound in the countless projects he’s been a part of, both in the UK and worldwide.
 
Shane’s band featured the cream of the upcoming generation, Alec Harper-
sax, Joe Webb-piano, Dave Archer-guitar and Tom Farmer-bass. 
 
Writing for Jazzwise magazine (the UK’s leading monthly jazz publication),
journalist Andy Robson said of the night, “The tone was set immediately by the
opening ‘They Say It’s Spring’. Forbes has a lush swing that perfectly complements
such come hither material.” 
 
Andy went on to comment,“The 606 is the perfect venue for such a gig. Intimate,
welcoming, but never pretentious, it’s a club that musicians and audiences alike love
to visit: you can imagine Horn or Dearie themselves holding an audience in thrall
here.” 

Andy even gave a shout out to now legendary 606 staff member Esther Bennett,
which is proof positive of just how much he gets our vibe!

Thanks to Andy and Jazzwise for visiting us, and of course to Shane & his band for
their superb show.
 
You can find the full review here