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All evening drivers
have dropped off or picked up at the 606 Club in Lots Road,
Chelsea, so when the manager sent Call Sign
an invitation to visit the club, we sent Dial-a-Cab’s Mr
Ticket, Tom Whitbread to take a look… "I was very happy when Alan Fisher asked me to go over to Chelsea and write an article on the 606 Jazz Club. As I like jazz, this was not to be a hard task. My first problem came when I turned into Lots Road with 2 taxis following very closely behind me, as I had never been to this club before it was a matter of spotting the entrance on a cold and miserable, dark evening. I finally found number 90 Lots Road and recognised the archway leading down to the basement entrance of the 606. As I entered, it reminded me of the jazz clubs depicted in films shown in the 1950s and 60s, in fact arriving at a speakeasy in Chicago during the prohibition period must have felt a bit like this like this! But this club had modern refinements. The first item that catches your eye is the large black shiny Yamaha piano on the stage; this is surrounded by an array of tables from which you can order a meal. I seated myself some five feet from the stage to gain a perfect view and was quickly attended to by a waitress enquiring what I would like to drink and would I be partaking in a meal. The conditions of their late night alcohol licence requires you to have a meal, otherwise it’s soft drinks for the first visit. The menu you can select from is quite extensive with starters, main courses and desserts. The meals are cooked and overseen by |
Call Sign visits… Chelsea’s 606 Jazz Club |
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Head chef Jean-Pierre and
despatched speedily by well-informed waitresses. I was beginning to regret having a meal a few hours prior to my arrival, the constant aroma’s coming from plates of food being transported swiftly from the kitchen to the eagerly awaiting diners tantalised my senses. These ranged from Salmon, Rib Eye Steaks, Roast Welsh Lamb, Linguine, Vegetarian dishes and many other choices. Apart from the stage / restaurant room there is another large room with a bar, the club ask if you want to talk whilst the musicians / singers are on stage, that you avail yourself of this facility. This way you will not disturb the patrons who come to soak up the atmosphere and excellent music. There is a large window type hole between the 2 rooms so you miss nothing. The club has been in existence since 1976 gaining its name from it’s first site at 606 Kings Road. It moved to the Lots Road site in 1987. It isn’t just jazz that’s played at the 606; they also cater for Blues, Latin, R&B, Gospel and also Big Bands. The club encourage many local musicians to perform there. The running of the club is overseen by Steve Rubie, who himself is an accomplished musician and a very nice person to engage with in conversation. There is no entrance fee, but they do operate an optional music charge, which helps them to |
hire well-known performers. I
selected the night that Charlie Wood was entertaining,
backed by a top class drummer and bassist. Charlie Wood is
married to Jacqui Dankworth, daughter of Lady Cleo Laine and the
late Sir John Dankworth. Charlie entertained us with a song that
immediately gave you a connection to his famous mother-in-law. Some nights you have two bands, other nights one, but they do two sets so it makes a complete evening. On Friday and Saturday they are open until 1.30am and it gets quite busy, so it is advantageous to book in advance. Tuesday and Wednesday closing is at 12.30am, Sunday 11pm and Monday at 11.45pm. If you would like to book or make an enquiry telephone 020 7352 5953. Or you can view more on www.606club.com. At anytime you could be seated next to a well-known artist, as they also go there to relax and enjoy the entertainment or to spot young up and coming artists The club holds approximately 170 patrons and as it is air conditioned, that means you are not subjected to body odours from a large audience! I thoroughly enjoyed myself and would recommend it to anybody who enjoys good music, so if a passenger asks for a jazz club or a music venue, I would say this club is a worthy challenger to the Ronny Scott’s. Tom Whitbread |
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