Jazz 625 (PG) + Introduction by Dr. Nicolas Pillai
EFG London Jazz Festival: Jazz on Screen
We bring together two episodes of the television programme Jazz 625. Celebrating the legacy of the show and reflecting on the role it played in introducing a host of musicians to British audiences.
First broadcast in April 1964, Jazz 625 was filmed across sites including the iconic Marquee Club and the CTS studio in Bayswater. The original transmission being from 21 April 1964 to 17 August 1966.
The programme is notable for its distinct look, characterised by the black and white photography, the suited attire of the performers, the smokey interiors, and helped establish a visual language to complement the music of the era. The title refers to the medium of television, the 625 of the title reflects the upgrade from the 405-line VHF to the 625 lines offered by the new UHF channel. Music has always been a hallmark of British television, and through this programme, we celebrate one of the most stylishly made music programmes ever broadcast.
This title has been locally classified.
For this event, we will screen performances from Coleman Hawkins (first broadcast on 16/01/65) and the great Thelonous Monk Quartet "Jazz 625" Thelonious Monk Quartet (orginally screened on 21/04/65). Two wonderful editions of the series which capture the essence of the programme.
Dr Nicolas Pillai (University College Dublin) has published widely on jazz, film and television. His AHRC-funded research project 'Jazz on BBC-TV 1960-1969' included the production of a 50-minute TV programme entitled Jazz 1080: The Xhosa Cole Quintet. The BBC Four documentary based on his research – Jazz 625 Live – won Best Music Programme at the 2020 Broadcast Awards. Publications in progress include the edited collection Rethinking Miles Davis (Oxford University Press, forthcoming 2023) and a short play Albert Ayler's Ghost.
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Barbican Cinema 2
Location
Barbican Cinema 2 & 3 are located on Beech Street, a short walk from the Barbican’s Silk Street entrance. From Silk Street, you’ll see a zebra crossing that will take you across the road to the venue.
Address
Beech Street
London
EC2Y 8DS
Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.
We’ve plenty of places for you to relax and replenish, from coffee and cake to wood-fired pizzas and full pre-theatre menus
Access
Cinemas 2 & 3 are located at Beech Street, a short walk from the Barbican Centre’s main Silk Street entrance. There are a couple of steep, dropped kerbs and an incline to negotiate between the two sites. Level access from Beech Street.
Mobility
Each auditorium has three permanent wheelchair spaces (two in the third row and one in the front row) and 153 fixed seats with capacity for a further three spaces in the front row. Access to each auditorium is up a ramp. There are also a number of seats with step-free access.
Assistance dogs
Assistance dogs may be taken into the cinema – please tell us when booking to ensure your seat has enough space. If you prefer, you may leave your dog with a member of the foyer staff during the performance.
Hearing facility
An infrared system for hard of hearing customers is provided in each auditorium; headsets or neck loops can be collected from foyer staff. The ticket desk counter is fitted with an induction loop.
For more access information, please visit our Accessibility section.
