There are evenings when the 606 Club acts as the focal point for the community of jazz musicians. On Monday 9 May, Dave Lewis was the host/organizer of a benefit evening for bassist Neville Malcolm, who has fractured his spine and is unable to work.
Monika S. Jakubowska’s photos (we attended the first set) capture the atmosphere of a gig with a purpose:
and that purpose is to raise money to support Neville. A full explanation of the circumstances is in the GoFundMe link below. PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY.
These evenings take a lot of organizing, and Dave Lewis, whose band One-Up opened up the evening, had clearly put a lot of work and thought and love into preparing a special evening at the club.
For the opening number, “Turn It Round,” there was no holding back of the emotion of the occasion, as this picture of Lizzie Deane shows clearly. It was as if the band wanted to know their regular and much-loved bassist was going to be able to hear them and know that friends and colleagues were thinking of him.
Drummer Rod Youngs always plays every note as if his life depends on it, but, as Monika’s photo here shows. his level of passion, commitment, devotion to a close friend and colleague are something we can all aspire to ….and maybe never reach.
Gavin Holligan was once a footballer with West Ham and Wycombe Wanderers. He explained that he owes his subsequent career in music to Neville Malcolm. There was a wonderful transformation in the room as the audience first sat quietly and listened to his story… but in no time his strong soulful voice had won the audience over. That’s why one goes to live music. “Tribute to a Friend” was dedicated to Neville Malcolm. Then Luke Smith on keyboard / organ joined him for an R&B version of “Bridge Over Troubled Water”.
Shireen Francis introduced her first song as “Saving all my love for Neville… He helped me so much.” Shireen might be the very best singing bandleader in London. Cadenzas, open sections, emphatic endings : Shireen gives clarity and certainty, the absence of doubt every time without fail. Management consultants take note, this is how it’s done. Aretha’s “Today I sing the Blues”: Very special.
Where would the London jazz scene be without the can-do positivity of its Australians? Monika’s photographs so often catch people’s souls, and I love this shot of Lily Dior.
As Al Cherry and Lizzy Deane show through their watchful eyes here, its all about (respecting the) bass. Jerry Logan taking care of business here…superbly.
Full list of performers:
House Band Set One – 1 Up: Dave Lewis, Lizzie Deane, Al Cherry, Robin Aspland, Jerry Logan, Rod Youngs Pete Eckford.
House Band Set Two – HQ: Carl Hudson, Bobby Quigley, Nick Cohen, Robert Castelli, Pete Eckford
Guests: Gavin Holligan, Luke Smith, Lily Dior, Shireen Francis. Sarah Moule, Simon Wallace, Carl Orr, Phil Ayres, Tim Lapthorn.
UPDATE 13 MAY: For the purposes of completeness, we asked Dave Lewis to complete the list of participants on-stage…
“Bruce Mississippi Johnson sang Song For My Father
“There were also some additional appearances: Bucky Leo tenor sax and Dom Grant guitarist joined Shireen when she sang a reggae infused Softly as in a morning sunrise and tenor saxophonist Dave Angol made an impromptu appearance joining me and Carl Orr (guitar) on Carl’s piece Blue Boy towards the end of the night.”
