Preview: Take 6
(Ronnie Scott’s, Thursday, 12th July, Preview by Sarah Ellen Hughes)

London has recently been spoilt with great vocal groups: The Swingle Singers had two nights at Pizza Express last month, as did Ian Shaw’s BLINQ at Ronnie Scott’s; Shakatak are currently enjoying four nights, again at Pizza Express; and the Tricycle Theatre in Kilburn is offering Jazz at Cafe Society, almost a whole week of vocal features from 16th July.

But something special to look forward to is Take 6 at Ronnie’s this Thursday.

Take 6, an a capella sextet, was founded in 1980, and started out life as a college quartet which quickly added two members when interest in the singers’ talents exploded. In the first few years, the band personnel changed regularly as singers graduated and new voices came in, but in 1987 the group was signed to the Warner Brothers label, and Take 6 as we know it was born. Since then, the group has gone on to win 10 Grammys, 10 Dove Awards, and 1 Soul Train Award, and has been nominated for countless others.

Take 6’s repertoire choices are influenced by the fact that the members are all Christians. Singing in church was the first public platform for their music). So previous albums – of which there are 8 – have been peppered with gospel classics. One, is the current album, and the trip to Ronnie Scott’s is part of a world tour to promote it. It’s their first that is entirely dedicated to Christian music.

This will be the first time I’ve seen this inspirational group live rather than on record  – I’m looking forward to it.