05 September 2020
Newsdesk
On August 1st the world-famous Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club was to throw open its doors for the first time in 137 days having been closed due the global Corona Virus pandemic. The government had announced that indoor live music venues could re-open, but then, just a day before the first act was to take to the stage, it was to postpone its decision and the club remained closed.
Following the huge disappointment from staff and customers alike, Ronnie Scott’s are thrilled to announce it is to finally re-open on September 19th.
The Soho-based club will open with a reduced capacity of 50% , and with all the safety measures you would expect - deep cleaning, 100% fresh air air-conditioning, sanitizer stations in key areas, thermal checks on arrival and strict social distancing measures in place. It is particularly proud of the elegant screens that separate some seating areas which actually compliment the décor! Modelled on the heady jazz joints of yesteryear and blessed with a warm, intimate setting and a unique seating layout, Ronnie Scott’s is able to observe distancing guidelines without losing any of the cosy atmosphere that audiences love.
Despite government restrictions being relaxed on August 15, the club made the decision to delay opening rather than risk further cancellations. The delay allowed the club to review its covid-safety measures with the benefit of hindsight, observing the practices of others in the hospitality sector.
As Fred Nash, Ronnie Scott’s General Manager explains, “ We are proud to have scored 100% in a covid-safety audit without compromising the great atmosphere of the club and not putting in measures which are quite frankly, weird or unnecessary. We’ve all experienced strange trips to a pub”, he continues, “ where you have to navigate a seemingly pointless one-way system, download an app to order a drink only to find it doesn’t work . We believe we can welcome customers back safely whilst maintaining the old- school hospitality values we are known for. We’re certain that when our customers return, they will feel we have got it just right”.
The Ronnie Scott’s All Stars, the last act to play before the closure, will be the first to take to the stage on September 19. Featuring vocal sensation, Natalie Williams and the club’s Musical Director, James Pearson, the band present the ‘The Soho Songbook’; classic music from the jazz greats. Over the coming weeks, the club presents it usual mix of established jazz royalty and rising stars covering bebop to contemporary and cutting edge . Confirmed artists include jazz vocalist and Puppuni Sister, Emma Smith playing tribute to Ella Fitzgerald, young lion, Mark Kavuma, a prominent trumpet player on the British jazz scene, old-school jazz funksters, James Taylor Quartet, scalding hot saxophonist and rapper and Soweto Kinch and genre-blurring pianist, Ashley Henry .
As Fred Nash observes, “We hope our customers, and our members, have missed live music as much as we have. I think it is what everyone needs right now”
Ronnie Scott’s would like to thank everyone at The Music Venue Trust and UK Hospitality who have worked tirelessly with the government on helping to get businesses like theirs , to open again, safely.
SEPT/OCT LISTING
Sat 19 Sept The Ronnie Scott’s Allstars perform the Soho Songbook
Sun 20 Sept (lunch) Tom Seals
Sun 20 Aug (evening) The Ronnie Scott’s Allstars perform the Soho Songbook
Weds 23 Sept Emma Smith with Jamie Safir Trio - Portrait of Ella
Thurs 24 Sept The Ronnie Scott’s Allstars – ‘Time Out - A Musical Portrait of Dave Brubeck'
Fri 25 Sept Natalie Williams Soul Family
Sat 26 Sept Natalie Williams Soul Family
Sun 27 Sept (lunch) 100 years of jazz piano with James Pearson
Sun 27 Sept (evening) Ray Gelato and the Giants
Mon 27 Sept Ray Gelato and the Giants
Thurs 1 Oct James Taylor Quartet
Fri 2 Oct James Taylor Quartet
Sat 3 Oct James Taylor Quartet
Sun 4 Oct (lunch) Paul Ryan and Jamie Safir: 'Celebrating Tony and Bill 45 Years on’
Sun 4 Oct (evening) Ronnie Scott’s Blues Explosion Quintet
Weds 7 Oct Pete Long and Simon Spillett present 'A Celebration of The Jazz Couriers'
Thurs 8Oct Jason Rebello
Fri 9 Oct Ian Shaw
Sat 10 Oct Reuben James
Sun 11 Oct (lunch) Celebrating Doris Day’s life in film, TV and on record
Sun 11 Oct (evening) Cassidy Janson
Mon 12 Oct The Horne Section - 10th anniversary celebration
Tues 13 Oct The Horne Section - 10th anniversary celebration
Thurs 15 Oct Soweto Kinch
Fri 16 Oct Lianne Carroll
Sat 16 Oct Lianne Carroll
Sun 17 Oct (lunch) Down for the Count
Sun 18 Oct (evening) Tom Seals
Fri 23 Oct Ashley Henry
Sat 24 Oct Ashley Henry
Sun 25 Oct (lunch) 'Song for My Father': Celebrating The Music of Horace Silver
Sun 25 Oct (evening) Ronnie Scott’s Blues Explosion Quintet
Weds 28 Oct Byron Wallen
Thurs 29 Oct Omar Puente Cuban sextet
Fri 30 Oct Mark Kavuma Milestones and more
Sat 31 Oct Citrus Sun
Tickets and more information available www.ronniescotts.co.uk
