606 Club’s 40th Anniversary: Jason Rebello Trio: Rb Funkestra Feat. Helena May: Jeremy Stacey & Jason Rebello

This second Friday of the Festival sees a return (almost) to the Funk/Groove feel that is associated with Friday nights at the Club. There is, however, just a slight shift in emphasis as this evening we go back to the Old Club and the jam sessions and gigs that I have alluded to in previous nights of this Festival. By the late 80's the joint at the Old Club was certainly jumping, with musicians such as Nigel Hitchcock, the Stacy Brothers, Mornington Lockett, Laurence Cottle, pianists Jon Gee and Robin Aspland all playing into the early hours. And around that time a young (very young) pianist turned up one night looking to see what was going on. His name was Jason Rebello and he fit right in from the get go. Fast forward to the new premises here at Lots Road, and for the first part of the 90's Jason was a regular feature at the Club. At the same time he had a burgeoning career that culminated in the late 90's with him joining Sting's band, with whom he toured and recorded for almost 5 years before moving to extensive work with guitarist Jeff Beck. More recently Jason has returned to his jazz roots with albums featuring both his trio and solo playing, which you’ll be hearing more of tonight. “Jason Rebello…inspired” Time Out

RB Funkestra is a powerhouse groove & funk outfit who have been strutting their stuff on regular Friday nights at the Club for the last 10 years. Led by expat Austrian bassist Stefan Redtenbacher this band very much does what it says on the tin. How Stef first got the gig is a cute story. I had known his partner (now wife, also called Stef, very confusing...) for some time and she kept saying that her boyfriend was a musician and had a "great" band. I have, of course, over the years heard about many bands run by boyfriends that are apparently "great", so was polite but wary. She eventually gave me a CD and I discovered...that they really were great! That was 10 years ago and RB Funkestra is now a well established part of our Friday night schedule. Currently featuring the excellent young singer Helena May Harrison this is a pure slice of unalloyed, joyful Funk. “The Governor of Bass” BBC Radio2; “four-minutes of pedal-to-the-floor doo-wop funk…topped off by a sultry vocal turn from Miss May which elevates the track to another level of sophisticated sass”AfterDark

And to finish the evening off in style Jason will return to the stage, but this time with his Groove hat on, joining forces with drummer Jeremy Stacey to re-visit their immensely popular Groove band "Actual Spoof". And a quick word about Jeremy (who will also be seen here on the 21st with Natalie Williams, the 26th with brother Paul, and with his own band just before the Festival on Thursday 13th , a description of which can be read elsewhere). So no need to go in to the various high profile artists he has worked with over the years (Sheryl Crow, Noel Gallagher, King Crimson...) but certainly worth mentioning that Jeremy has been a great supporter of the Club since the 80's and his energy and enthusiasm for everything we do has been an important part of much that we have achieved over the years. Also featuring Paul Stacey on guitar "Actual Spoof" is a band of incredible musicians doing what they do best. Not to be missed. “…a fine…drummer with an infectious feel. His gigs are ...invariably enlivened by some top class guests” Time Out