The 606 Club’s 40th Anniversary: "Grooveyard" Featuring Gareth Lockrane and many more

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