From its earliest days in the 1970's the 606 Club has been a place where musicians can "hang out", hear other players and exchange thoughts and ideas. I have always tried to make ure that I book not just the established names but also those talented players who are starting to make their way in what, to my mind, is one of the strongest jazz scenes anywhere in the world, outside of perhaps New York. And tonight is something of a celebration of that ideal. The first band up is the brilliant "Grooveyard", flautist Gareth Lockrane's salute to the "hard-bop" era of the 60's and 70's featuring saxophonist Alex Garnett and guitarist Mike Outram. Gareth first came to the Club as a student in the mid 90's and is now well established, respected not just as one of the finest jazz flute players in Europe but also as a composer and arranger of real flair and distinction. The son of saxophonist Willie Garnett (whose big band I played in throughout the 70's and 80's) I remember Alex Garnett as a callow youth turning up to big band rehearsals after his Saturday morning sax lessons. They clearly worked as, over the last 20 years or so, he has developed in to one of the most fluent and impressive sax players in Europe. Guitarist Mike Outram is another player who "cut his teeth" at the Club in the 2000's. Doing his first gigs here as a student he is now regarded as one of the country's finest guitarists and educators. “Lockrane....breathtaking…dazzling” AllAboutJazz; “Garnett has a great muscular style and a rich, gritty tone.” Jazz Breakfast; [Mike Outram} "There is no musician with such complete control of the sounds coming out of a guitar" London Jazz News...
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From its earliest days in the 1970's the 606 Club has been a place where musicians can "hang out", hear other players and exchange thoughts and ideas. I have always tried to make ure that I book not just the established names but also those talented players who are starting to make their way in what, to my mind, is one of the strongest jazz scenes anywhere in the world, outside of perhaps New York. And tonight is something of a celebration of that ideal. The first band up is the brilliant "Grooveyard", flautist Gareth Lockrane's salute to the "hard-bop" era of the 60's and 70's featuring saxophonist Alex Garnett and guitarist Mike Outram. Gareth first came to the Club as a student in the mid 90's and is now well established, respected not just as one of the finest jazz flute players in Europe but also as a composer and arranger of real flair and distinction. The son of saxophonist Willie Garnett (whose big band I played in throughout the 70's and 80's) I remember Alex Garnett as a callow youth turning up to big band rehearsals after his Saturday morning sax lessons. They clearly worked as, over the last 20 years or so, he has developed in to one of the most fluent and impressive sax players in Europe. Guitarist Mike Outram is another player who "cut his teeth" at the Club in the 2000's. Doing his first gigs here as a student he is now regarded as one of the country's finest guitarists and educators. “Lockrane....breathtaking…dazzling” AllAboutJazz; “Garnett has a great muscular style and a rich, gritty tone.” Jazz Breakfast; [Mike Outram} "There is no musician with such complete control of the sounds coming out of a guitar" London Jazz News
The second group of the evening features the outstanding performer and educator Nikki Iles, whose subtle, sophisticated playing has been the mainstay of numerous ensembles here at the Club since the late 90's. A British Jazz Award & Parliamentary Jazz Award winner, the list of leading contemporary jazz musicians that she has worked with is vast, including the likes of Kenny Wheeler and Norma Winstone. As well as a brilliant pianist Nikki is also a highly accomplished composer, arranger & educator, publishing several books of jazz piano music for Oxford University Press and Faber and is a key member of the team at The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM). Appearing with Nikki will be two saxophonists who epitomise the ethos of the Club, Iain Ballamy and Trish Clowes. Iain, who first made his name with the iconic band Loose Tubes, is one of the most imaginative players I know. He first appeared at the Club as a precociously talented teenager in the early 80's and now is not only in hot demand as a sideman but is a member of his own groups Anorak & Food. And joining him on the front line will be a saxophonist mentored by Iain in her student days, the highly talented BBC Radio 3 “New Generation Artist” Trish Clowes. Since leaving college 10 years ago this award-winning musician has established herself as one of the leading improvisers and composers of her generation, winning the British Composer Award (BASCA) in 2016. And completing the rhythm section for this particular set will be drummer Tim Giles, who I first met playing at the Club when he was 14 years old (a while back now!) and bass player Flo Moore, a recent graduate of the Royal Academy jazz course and already much in demand. “Iles...A formidable UK jazz presence” Guardian; “Iain Ballamy...leaves you in absolute awe…the sheer virtuosity and sense of joy makes you feel like a kid about to step onto a twinkling, old-fashioned merry-go-round” BBC; “Trish Clowes is a fiercely talented jazz saxophonist” Telegraph
And last, but by no means least, is a band that features a number of immensely talented young (as was then!) musicians who became synonymous with the "cutting edge" music being played in the late 80's at the Old Club. Lead alto with NYJO when he was just 12 years old, by the age of 16 Nigel Hitchcock was already a seasoned musician. I first met him when he was 15 and it was immediately apparent that his was a very special talent. Like Peter King in a previous generation, his command of the saxophone was remarkable, which combined with his terrifying reading ability (music that is...) made him unquestionably the leading musician of his generation. His brand of incisive, pure toned, sax playing was the perfect vehicle for the music that was emerging at that time and despite his relative youth it wasn't long before he established himself as first call for just about everything. Since then Nigel has gone on to an impressive career as a studio musician through the 90's as well as touring work with the likes of Tom Jones and Incognito. He took something of a sabbatical when he moved to the highlands of Scotland for around 7 years, but on his return to the South of England in 2012 he re-emerged one of the UK scene’s most important players. Recently domiciled in Europe it is with enormous pleasure that we welcome this iconic musician to the Anniversary Festival. And performing with Nigel will be another of those "ferociously talented" musicians from back in the late 80's, the fantastic bassist Laurence Cottle. One of the most fluent and inventive electric bassists ever to perform on the UK jazz scene Laurie has, over the last 30 years, played on a plethora of recordings and live gigs with artists from Seal & Black Sabbath to Clark Tracey & Jason Rebello. And if all that wasn't enough he is also a fine writer and arranger, leading his own 16 piece Big Band. Both Laurie & Nigel have been performing together at the Club since the 80's, and although they may not be quite as wild now as they were then (the next section has been edited...) the music is as powerful and impressive as it has always been. Should be quite a night. "Hitchcock’s range and fluency were phenomenal" Evening Standard: Laurence Cottle's solos are a standout" Audiophile Audition
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