Zoe Gilby: Live at the 606 Club

Singer songwriter Zoe Gilby brought her own compositions and interpretations of some classic tunes to Chelsea’s 606 Club in honour of International Jazz Day 2026.

Led by Zoe and with a guest appearance by Tony Kofi (sax), this was a fine quintet with Terence Collie (piano), Nick Lenner-Webster (bass) and Ted Carrasco (drums). There was a musical understanding between the ensemble, with nice moments of facial and hand gestures to ensure solos were taken smoothly. Jazz often seems to encapsulate a collaborative spirit that was definitely very much in evidence on this special day.

Zoe clearly likes to set herself a challenge, and she has worked hard on her lyrical interpretations of the melodies of Tom Harrell, as well as some classics by Thelonious Monk - often in a new and personal way. Her version of Round Midnight with Terence’s piano was simply gorgeous, with alternative lyrics that are less often heard.

Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me became a rumba and certainly Zoe’s skill is in rhythmic interpretation, using the voice as an instrument and often breaking into scat, offering improvised solos that fit perfectly with the rhythm section and with Tony’s brilliant sax. The latter always takes delights in the insertion of references to other tunes and he was really on form in this ensemble.

There was a genuine sense of respect with which Zoe told stories of Carmen McRae, Thelonious Monk and other characters such as the ‘jazz baroness’, Baroness Pannonica "Nica" de Koenigswarter, who was a great patron of jazz in New York. Zoe’s performance of Monk’s Pannonica was a highlight of this evening, particularly fitting on International Jazz Day.

You don’t have to wait for next year’s International Jazz Day (it’s always on 30 April) before getting to hear some great music, particularly at the 606 Club