[Dixielandjazz] 6th Chords

[Allan Brown]

Dear Listmates,

I have a technical question for ya'll.

The 6th chord appears on quite a few jazz lead sheets that I'm attempting to play. I'm intrigued as to the 'when' and a 'why' of this chord. C6 has all the same notes as Am7, so is it viewed as an inversion of a m7 chord or as a major chord with distinct flavour? Also, is it distinct from a 13th chord? 

I find it quite a tricky chord to voice on the guitar when there are lots of chords flying by, is it usually okay to just play a straight major chord whenever a 6th chord is given?

Many thanks in advance,

All the best,

Allan Brown