Music from artists across the eras; old friends and new ones play at 606

The music this evening stretches across the eras, from the very beginnings of the Club to the most recent artists to play here regularly.

Many, if not most, of the musicians who performed at the original 606 on Kings Road are either no longer playing or no longer with us. But I thought it would be nice to have at least one set from two musicians who were there at the very start, guitarists Peter Rubie and Dave Cliff. Peter, a fine musician, has been resident in New York since 1980 and so his melodic, straight ahead playing is perhaps less well known to a new generation of musicians and audiences, but Dave Cliff has been a regular at the Club since I took it over in 1976. With work alongside the likes of Lee Konitz, Georgie Fame and Nina Simone Dave has moved on from being the young lion of the 70's to one of the most venerated musicians on the UK jazz scene.

Similarly, guitarist Jim Mullen has been a stalwart of the Club since the very early 80's. A fluent and inventive musician with a vast CV of world class performances behind him, I recall Jim and Dave playing together at the old Club in a two guitar front line that lasted, off and on, for a number of years. One of the many musicians who followed us to the new venue in 1988, Jim has been part of the fabric of the Club for so long that we actually named a part of the venue after him (the "Jim Mullen suite" is still there..). “[Jim Mullen]...From co-leading Morrisey-Mullen in the seventies to his current groups, Jim Mullen has remained an irreplaceable, central, popular figure in British jazz.” London Jazz News

And then on to two of the newer arrivals. Singer Zoe Francis first appeared on our doorstep about 4 years ago. A gentle performer with an uncanny knack to make everything she touches sound good, she epitomises the breadth of the talent found in the UK Jazz scene today. " [Zoe Francis]…she retains an almost diffident charm and a vocal quality that seems to hark back to band singers of the thirties and forties" London Jazz News; “[Stan Sulzmann]...Ravishing, delicious, powerful" - Guardian

And finally singer/organist John East, proving its never too late to strut your stuff! An enormous supporter of the Club in both spirit and practice John was a member for many years before, around 6 years ago, I discovered his hidden talents! Now a regular with his terrific band John has found yet another constructive way to support us in what we do and how we want to do it. "[John East Project]...Vocalist and Hammond player East leads a fine band...." Time Out