Philadelphia jazz legend Pat Martino is to open the 606 club’s 25th anniversary festival, with the guitarist making his first ever appearance in the Chelsea basement club. Originally located on the King’s Road, bandleader, flautist, and occasional actor Stevie Rubie’s classic jazz club has consistently punched above its weight now long established on Lots Road near the old Lots Road power station and all by itself generating enough jazz power to keep the street swinging for a quarter of a century. The festival begins on Wednesday night with Philly legend Martino opening the festival, which runs until 2 June, and up to four bands playing each night. Highlights include appearances by Tony Kofi (Thursday 23 May); Ian Shaw and Jacqui Dankworth (Friday 24 May); Adam Glasser with Robin Aspland, Carl Orr, Steve Watts and Frank Tontoh (Tuesday 28 May); the Gwilym Simcock trio (Friday 29 May); Julian Joseph band (Saturday 1 June); and Liane Carroll on the closing night (2 June). MB
Pat Martino, top. For tickets go to www.606club.co.uk