TOM CAWLEY's 'CATENACCIO' W/ FINI BEARMAN, GARETH LOCKRANE
“Cawley…excellent, fluid, pianist with a deft touch and a superb improviser’s imagination.”
Time Magazine
Please note later start time (due to England v Colombia World Cup Football). Because of the change of timings, the Simon Purcell Trio set has been rescheduled - look for Simon at the Club in August.
We will have a small computer screen set up in the bar area for customers to view the match earlier in the evening if they wish!
TOM CAWLEY’s “CATENACCIO” 8:45PM: Well, what an absolute treat. A former “Young Jazz Musician of the Year” pianist Tom Cawley is one of the country’s leading jazz artists. His mature playing and fluent technique have made him the pianist of choice for many musicians, including Charlie Watts, Tim Garland, Dave O’Higgins, singers Gwyneth Herbert & Tammy Weis and saxophonist Pete Wareham’s award-winning “Acoustic Ladyland”. Tom’s trio, “Curios”, garnered a string of Awards and plaudits (“spellbinding” Independent, “dazzling” Jazz UK, “pioneering” Musician magazine), was the first band to be asked to perform at the newly refurbished Royal Festival Hall, appeared on the “Culture Show”, made numerous live Radio 3 broadcasts and were featured on the covers of both Jazz UK and Jazzwise. However if Tom’s CV weren’t already distinguished enough, tonight he will debut his latest project, “Catenaccio” at the 606, in preface to the band’s upcoming recording date in the studio a week later. And what a band it is, featuring an award-winning, world-class lineup including Fini Bearman-vocals, Gareth Lockrane-flute, Rob Mullarkey-bass and Chris Higginbottom-drums. A graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama followed by Master’s studies at the Jazz Institute Berlin Germany, singer/songwriter Fini’s albums including her latest “Burn the Boat” have received national airplay on BBC 2 with Jamie Callum, JazzFM, 'In Spirit' with Jumoke Fashola on BBC London, 'In Tune' on BBC 3 and other stations & she’s performed at high profile, destination venues worldwide such as the Barbican, Dizzy’s at Jazz in Lincoln Jazz Center in New York and London Jazz Festival. Flautist and arranger Gareth Lockrane is no stranger to 606 audiences with his bands “Grooveyard” as well as his acclaimed Big Band regular attractions at the Club; his albums on acclaimed jazz label Whirlwind including his latest “Fistfight at the Barn Dance” have augmented his already considerable reputation, which was fostered in part when he was named “Rising Star on Flute” in the prestigious Downbeat Critics Poll (USA), one of many awards and accolades he’s received. Bassist Rob Mullarkey is well known as a member of Ronnie Scott’s Soul Family Sunday gigs with Natalie Williams however just a few recent highlights from his CV include work with Jamie Cullum, Jessie Ware, Eska, Jacob Collier & José James, while drummer Chris Higginbottom is currently touring with the Kyle Eastwood Band and has backed high profile artists such as Mark Murphy, Seamus Blake, Georgie Fame, Gilad Atzmon’s Orient House Ensemble & more while residing in the UK and New York. As to the origin of the new group’s concept stylistically, Tom explains, “I’ve been accumulating synthesisers and writing electronic music recently and I wanted to start writing for a new band which would incorporate some of this sound alongside acoustic instruments. I’ve always loved Chick Corea’s Return to Forever period and also Weather Report around the mid-70s - I guess that they are the two primary influences. But the music is more overtly melodic…although still full of jazz harmony and that sort of lushness”. Tom was further inspired by his collaborators, all of whom he’s worked with in other iterations, (some since college) and the sum of these parts has produced a tantalizing palette laden with delicious possibility - or as Tom says, “…with the synths and voice there are many options, texture-wise, plus a killing rhythm section and a flute lunatic”. A world class band and an absolute must see.
“Cawley…excellent, fluid, pianist with a deft touch and a superb improviser’s imagination.” Time; “(Fini) has an irresistible voice... She is an expressive singer, and an intriguing composer and lyricist...” All About Jazz; “Lockrane’s flute work is exceptional, combining a relaxed fluidity with an acute adventurousness…...very special indeed” Jazzwise