The 606 Club’s 40th Anniversary:Giacomo Smith & Smitty's Big 4: Tim Whitehead/Hattie Whitehead :Mark Lockheart/john Parricelli

606 Club, 90 Lots Road, London
The 606 Club’s 40th Anniversary:Giacomo Smith & Smitty's Big 4: Tim Whitehead/Hattie Whitehead :Mark Lockheart/john Parricelli image
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Event has ended
This event ended on Thursday 27th of October 2016
Admission
£14
Venue Information
The 606 Jazz Club
Lots Road, SW10 0QD
Nearest Tube/Rail Stations
Imperial Wharf 0.27 miles

Tonight I wanted to pay my respects to the hugely talented musicians who are the backbone of the UK Jazz scene. Far too many to get into one night I have taken a "snapshot" of those musicians whose immense talent make London one of the most exciting, creative hubs in jazz. So far we haven't featured the more “mainstream” side of the music and I wanted to correct that omission with the inclusion of Smitty's Big 4. Led by clarinettist/saxophonist Giacomo Smith this small (but perfectly formed!) group play music primarily from the 30's and 40's and are just terrific. What makes them particularly interesting is that, although they embrace the music from back in the day, the band consists of young musicians (average age in their late 20's I would guess), who are equally at home playing modern jazz which brings a real freshness and energy to this great music. “a lively, friendly, swinging, civilized new band playing approachable music…Bandleader clarinettist/sax Giacomo Smith, from the upper reaches of the Hudson in New York…[his] sound and presence are a welcome addition to the London scene…definitely a band to watch out for” LondonJazz News

I first met the iconic saxophonist Tim Whitehead around 1979 (we worked it out the other day!) and he was already, by then, a complete player. A former “Young Jazz Musician of the Year” he first came to prominence in the 70's working with Ian Carr's groundbreaking band Nucleus before establishing himself in the 80's with another innovative, now iconic ensemble, Loose Tubes. Since then Tim has had a stellar career that has seen him touring with various outfits worldwide and winning numerous Awards and nominations for both his playing, recordings and composing. And featured with Tim tonight will be the wonderful singer/songwriter Hattie Whitehead. Keeping it in the family, Hattie Whitehead is Tim's extremely talented daughter, as well as a former employee here at the Club (though these days, she’s likely to be found onstage performing at Latitude, Secret Garden Party, Wilderness, Field Day, Glastonbury or Cambridge Folk Festival, where she’s been developing a reputation in her own right). “the finest tenor player in Britain today'' Jazz Review

Saxophonist Mark Lockheart and guitarist John Parricelli both also came to prominence as members of Loose Tubes (them again- well it was a remarkable band). Since then Mark has established himself with his own groups, Perfect Houseplants and the Scratch Band as well as with the outstanding Polar Bear. Mark’s 2013 release “Ellington in Anticipation” was named “Jazz Album of the Year” by MOJO & he received Jazz FM’s “Instrumentalist of the Year” Award in 2016. Co-leading the quartet will be guitarist John Parricelli, who, after his stint with Loose Tubes split his time between live gigs and studio work. His CV includes performances with the likes of Norma Winstone, Kenny Wheeler and Andy Sheppard and his studio credits encompass a vast array of work on albums, TV and film. Led by two of the most sophisticated and knowledgeable players on the scene, this quartet consistently produces music that is both beautiful and heartfelt. "Lockheart is a consummate saxophonist and an original and versatile composer" The Rough Guide to Jazz; “Parricelli seems capable of endless feats of subtlety and control. Having Parricelli in the band is like having several world musicians, all in the one chair..” LondonJazz

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