Comedy & Jazz With Vikki Stone And The Tom Cawley Trio.

While the relationship between comedy and jazz is perhaps not as well known today, in fact it goes back a long way. In the 1950’s and 60’s, comics of the era including Lenny Bruce, Mort Sahl, Steve Allen & Bill Cosby were huge jazz supporters: the shared language of improvisation, the ability to be in the moment and take artistic risks being common to both mediums. Later, in the American TV variety talk show format (as epitomized by the Tonight Show, hosted by Allen, Jack Paar and Johnny Carson) bandleaders such as Doc Severinsen became a part of the show, interacting with the host and accenting the onstage antics with a well-placed drum roll or laconic quip. It is this chemistry that is at the heart of the 606 Club comedy and jazz concept. For our inaugural comedy and jazz night, we are pleased to present Vikki Stone, who trained at the Royal Academy of Music and builds upon this alchemy with a thoroughly modern twist. Her debut Edinburgh Show, “Big Neon Letters”, played to sell-out audiences both in Edinburgh and London’s Soho Theatre, and received critical acclaim including The Observer’s Comedy Top 5 8:00pm Edinburgh Shows 2011. Stone’s follow up, “Hot Mess”, sold out its entire run at the Edinburgh Fringe 2012, adding four extra shows due to phenomenal public demand. The jazz element will be adroitly managed by Tom Cawley, a former “Young Jazz Musician of the Year” who has appeared on the “Culture Show”, made numerous live BBC Radio 3 broadcasts and has been featured on the covers of both Jazz UK and Jazzwise. These impeccable jazz credentials are matched by his onstage wit and charm, which will be put to good use in this context. Both Tom and Vikki will perform their own sets before sharing the stage for the remainder of the show, where the spirit of improvisation and collaboration will roam free!
“The audience were almost crying with laughter” Guardian; “Super funny new girl on the block” The Sun;
“Cawley…excellent, fluid, pianist with a deft touch and a superb improviser’s imagination.” Time

The night is presented in association with Twice as Nice Comedy, an established and successful weekly comedy club in Hammersmith, West London and a monthly Thursday night in Barnes (SW13).