The 606 Club in Chelsea celebrates 50 years of live jazz on Lots Road

Half a century is a long time in any business, and a remarkable one for a jazz club. The 606 Club in Chelsea is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026, and this October it has been marking the milestone in the best way it knows: with live music.

The club began in 1976 as a small late night basement where musicians gathered on the Kings Road, taking its name from its address at number 606. Steve Rubie took it over in October 1976 and still leads it today. The club later moved to its current home at 90 Lots Road, where it has been ever since.

Rubie's own story is an unusual one. He trained as a dentist before moving into music in the early 1970s, studying classical flute at Trinity College London and becoming a professional musician. He still performs at the club regularly, and in 2019 he received the Worshipful Company of Musicians' Lifetime Achievement Award for Services to Music.

From the start, the 606 has championed UK based musicians. Jamie Cullum played some of his earliest London shows there and has called it the "Best Live Music Venue in London". Claire Martin, Julian Joseph, Ian Shaw, Jason Rebello, Liane Carroll, Jim Mullen and Hamish Stuart are among the many artists associated with the club.

To celebrate, the 606 has staged 14 days of shows from 12 to 25 October 2026 featuring more than 50 artists. Names announced include Gwilym Simcock, Julian Joseph, Tim Garland, Kyle Eastwood, Tony Kofi and Gwyneth Herbert, with alumni including Jamie Cullum, Claire Martin, Ian Shaw and Polly Gibbons also set to feature.

Rubie is characteristically modest about the achievement. "Keeping the Club going for 50 years is a triumph of optimism over experience!" he said, adding that "It is now and always has been a group endeavour." His advice for the next 50 years is simple: "At the end of the day it's just best to let the Music speak for itself."

The 606 Club is at 90 Lots Road, SW10 0RN. For listings and table bookings, visit 606club.co.uk.