Noel McCalla

Noel first came to prominence in the mid 80’s with the seminal Jazz/funk band Morrisey/Mullen while also providing vocals on Mike Rutherford’s highly acclaimed album “Smallcreep’s Day”. Forming his own band “Contact” in the early 80’s (subsequently renamed “McCalla” 10 years later), he released the brilliant album “Push and Pull”, followed by the equally great “Hot From The Smoke”. From the early 90’s, for more than 19 years, Noel’s searing, soulful vocals were featured with the iconic Manfred Mann’s “Earth Band”, but more recently Noel has moved away from his globe trotting exploits with Manfred to form several new bands of his own. Recently seen at the Club on the Morrissey Mullen Reunion gig (Noel was featured with the iconic Morrissey Mullen Band for some years) tonight Noel will be performing with two musicians who are heavyweights in their own right: guitarist Andy Jones and bassist Yolanda Charles. In addition to authoring 35 books on guitar and writing columns for both Guitarist and Guitar Techniques magazines, Andy has had an active recording and live career working with artists and bands such as Queen, Van Morrison, Lalo Schifrin, Sarah Brightman, Petula Clark and many other legendary figures in popular music. Yolanda Charles is known to 606 regulars through her regular appearances at the Club leading her own bands Project Funk & The Deep Mo as well as playing with Mike Lindup. Dubbed “The High Priestess of Funk” by Bass Guitar Magazine, she’s also worked with Dave Stewart, Robbie Williams and Mick Jagger. A fantastic player with an equally magnetic stage presence (and oh, she sings great too). The gig will feature a mix of “Groove” based originals and some classic Groove standards delivered in Noel’s own inimitable way. So, if you appreciate creative songwriting coupled with stunning, charismatic vocal delivery, be sure to attend what promises to be a “smooth groove” extravaganza.

“...spine tingling” Guardian;
“...a confident, individual voice, graceful and dynamic." Independent on Sunday