NYJO Nonet Curated by Sebastian Coe

This is the first in a series of curated events where we will be asking a number of supporters of the 606 Club, both musicians and non-musicians, to programme a night featuring an artist or band of their choice that is personally significant to them. Our first curator is Sebastian Coe, a long time member and great friend of the Club. As well as all his other numerous achievements Seb is also the Honorary Vice President of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO) and it was his suggestion and choice that we feature the NYJO Nonet, a showcase for current and former members of NYJO under the age of 25 that attracts some of the UK's finest young musicians. As Seb says “Contrary to the impression that is often given in the media, jazz is not just for an elite bunch of old fogies but is a vibrant and growing art form that is being embraced more and more by a younger generation of musicians looking for something different and more challenging than the ubiquitous popular music that has become the background of our daily lives. For over 50 years NYJO, and more recently the likes of the Jazz Warriors and Tomorrow’s Warriors, has provided a platform for these younger musicians to develop their skills in a supportive and professional environment. Similarly, Clubs such as the 606 Club have done much to support and encourage a steady stream of musicians to make the move from talented youngster to working professional musician. The 606 Club has helped nurture talent such as Jamie Cullum, Gwillym Simcock, Gwyneth Herbert and Paul Booth and so it seems fitting to recommend the current crop of excellent young musicians associated with NYJO to perform at the Club this evening. Helping to promote Jazz to as wide an audience as possible, both older and most importantly younger, is something that I am passionate about and the truly excellent band appearing this evening is a great example of how it should be done.” The Nonet (that’s a 9 piece, incidentally, for those of us trying to count it on our fingers!) this evening will be directed by the excellent young saxophonist Tom Stone. With a focus on small-group improvisation the Nonet plays compositions and arrangements by current and ex-members of NYJO and has established a reputation for consummately skillful performances, inspired soloing and wonderful ‘cool-school’ arrangements. The band has appeared at numerous clubs and festivals, including the City of London Festival, the Pizza Express, the Bull’s Head and the London Jazz Festival. This is a great way to start the series, promoting younger players, something that the 606 has always been keen to do (see our regular Royal Academy of Music gigs) as well as providing a platform for some seriously good music.

“..nine-piece form, mixing up classic swing with cutting-edge modern jazz arrangements….dazzling virtuosity” Time Out