Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club to Reopen on 1st of August

Ronnie Scott’s throws open its doors for the first time in 137 days having been closed due the global Corona Virus pandemic. Embracing the recent government announcement that indoor live music venues can reopen from 1 August, the world-famous jazz venue announces its first schedule of artists.

The Soho-based club will open with a reduced capacity of 50% and with strict social distancing measures in place. Modelled on the original jazz clubs of yesteryear, and known for its laid back vibe and unique seating layout, Ronnie Scott’s is able to observe distancing guidelines without losing any of its intimate atmosphere.

The move comes after careful consideration and a poll among the club’s members, whose loyalty and appetite to return to live music saw tickets selling fast when offered to members ahead of general release.

The Ronnie Scott’s All Stars, the last act to play before the closure, will open the club on 1 August, with a line-uo featuring acclaimed singer Natalie Williams and the club’s Musical Director, James Pearson, leading the band through ‘The Soho Songbook’ that's drawn from classics from the jazz greats. Other confirmed artists include one of the UK’s top jazz vocalists, the charismatic Liane Carrol, singer-songwriter and Sam Smith-collaborator Reuben James.  Jazz vocalist and ex -Puppuni Sister, Emma Smith plays tribute to Ella Fitzgerald and young lion, Mark Kavuma, a prominent trumpet player on the British jazz scene.

Simon Cooke, managing Director of Ronnie Scott’s said: "It’s great to be back doing what we do, we have been looking on enviously whilst restaurants have reopened, especially as the club is laid out like a restaurant. We have been planning the relaunch for some time so as soon as we got the green light for live performance we moved into action. Our unique structure of seating lends itself to distancing, some may say the added space is an improvement! Safety of our customers, staff and artists is of paramount importance so there will be protocols for the customers, the staff and the musicians. It’s been reported that social distancing measures could be financially ruinous for many other music venues to open, but it would be financially ruinous for us not to!”

The full line-up for the first run of gigs is:

Sat 1 August                      The Ronnie Scott’s Allstars perform the Soho Songbook

Sun 2 August (lunch)       James Pearson Trio - 100 years of Jazz Piano

Sun 2 August (evening) The Ronnie Scott’s Allstars perform the Soho Songbook 

Mon 3 August                   Pete Long & Simon Spillet play Jazz Couriers

Tues 4 August                   Mark Kavuma Milestones and more

Weds 5 August                 Reuben James trio

Thurs 6 August                 Emma Smith/Jamie Safir and friends - Portrait of Ella

Fri 7 August                       Liane Carrol Trio

Sat 8 August                      Liane Carrol Trio

Sun 9 Aug (evening)         The Ronnie Scott’s Blues Band

Tickets and more information available www.ronniescotts.co.uk