Adrian Cox Quintet “The New Orleans Clarinet”+ Special Guest Giacomo Smith
As a very special treat for EFG London Jazz Festival, the 606 Club presents a rare opportunity to hear internationally acclaimed clarinettist Adrian Cox (in his only UK show until 2024), joined by his very good friend, clarinet player & Kansas Smitty’s bandleader Giacomo Smith.
Adrian first started playing clarinet at the age of 6 and by 15 years of age was gigging professionally, not just playing jazz but also blues, funk & ska with artists such as Paloma Faith, Maceo Parker and ska legends Bad Manners. But his love of jazz led him to Kansas Smitty’s, the UK mainstream jazz outfit led by American saxophonist Giacomo Smith. Their popularity was such that they were invited to perform with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra in both London and New York in 2018 (along with other high profile shows). Meanwhile, Adrian’s own project ‘Profoundly Blue’, about the life and music of his favourite clarinet player Edmond Hall was also a resounding success, touring the UK three times, releasing two albums and generating coverage on BBC 6 and Radio 2.
The show this evening is dedicated to the great clarinettists of New Orleans, so expect to hear music from Barney Bigard, Sidney Bechet, Edmond Hall and more. The chemistry between Adrian and Giacomo is unrivalled and sets audiences alight whenever they play (not often enough these days). The rest of the band is equally superb, featuring Joe Webb (piano), Denny Ilett (guitar) Sebastiaan De Krom (drums) and Ferg Ireland (double bass). A joyful celebration of this quintessentially swinging, mainstream jazz instrument.
“Adrian Cox…touches the ‘other world’ that all musicians aspire to” Cerys Matthews BBC 6 Music; “[Cox] London’s most charismatic reeds man” Time Out; “Kansas Smitty’s: London’s new swing princes” Evening Standard