Sarah Weller is a multi-talented force in the music scene, both on and off stage. Last year, she took up the post of Head of Music at Ronnie Scott’s.
With her vast knowledge of the jazz musicians and bands who are currently touring the globe, Sarah Weller was made Head of Music at Ronnie Scott’s Club in October, 2023. There are few positions in the UK music industry to equal the authority of her position at the oldest jazz club on the continent.
With a multi-faceted career, spanning numerous musical genres, Weller was busy and successful as a touring singer and DJ in the soul, blues, and rock world before coming back to jazz, joining the music team at Ronnie Scott’s in 2009. Her singing work saw her supporting artists such as Chaka Khan at Hammersmith Apollo (with the Urban Dwellers) and Limp Bizkit at Brixton Academy (with The Tarantinos), and she had a record played on Pete Tong’s Radio 1 show. As a DJ, Weller has performed for the MOBO awards, Hed Kandi and Jazz FM’s online station ejazz.fm.
Weller had “never thought about the possibility of working at Ronnie’s behind the scenes, although I obviously dreamed of singing there. I saw so many inspiring women when I was starting out as a singer in the 90s, such as Betty Carter, Flora Purim and Claire Martin. I always loved singing jazz but my vocal work took me elsewhere, and my day-to-day jobs, whilst always in music, weren’t in jazz until I started working at Jazz FM in 1998, where I worked in the Enterprise Department, releasing jazz and Hed Kandi compilations.”
“Being part of the music team was like a dream job opportunity,” she continues. “Talent is the best thing about the job. Seeing artists doing incredible things. They raise your life above the ordinary. There have been so many musical highlights over the years but seeing some of my heroes at such close proximity will always be special: George Benson, Marlena Shaw, Terence Blanchard, Wayne Kranz and getting Herb Alpert for a week in 2023. It took so many years I just couldn’t believe it when it finally happened. To hear him play ‘Rise,’ and sing ‘This Guy’s in Love With You’… wow. I will remember it forever. It’s not only the big stars but seeing people at the start of their careers, putting all their energy into creating something fresh and new. The UK scene is very exciting. A great show for me is something that makes me feel energised and excited when I leave. It takes a huge team of people to get shows to the stage. We all have our part to play and everyone works their hardest to achieve it. Ronnie Scott’s continues to be what it is because of those people who are committed to music and the history of the club.”
Without doubt, Weller will have seen thousands of artist demos over the past fifteen years at Ronnie Scott’s. With that in mind, she says: “The ability to describe and sell yourself is key. There are always so many artists that present wonderful proposals but a good EPK [Electronic Press Kit] will certainly help to be taken seriously. Concise information that helps us understand them as an artist is paramount. I would suggest the following for anyone trying to get a gig: a picture of the band, links to music, a link to a live YouTube video, current release plan, links to socials, the line-up they are proposing but most importantly what music are they playing? What makes you stand out from the crowd? Whatever it is, then make sure you get that across in your email.”
Alongside her busy schedule at Ronnie’s, Weller loves DJing and is a passionate collector of music. “If I’m not listening to music, I want to be dancing to it,” she says. “My first album was a George Benson album and it has been constant since then – three 12” vinyls arrived through the post today. I can’t remember when I started DJing. I had a regular slot at the Bug Bar in Brixton supporting the band with another DJ, Leslie Love. I did more when I started at Jazz FM, including shows for the newly launched ejazz.fm. I love sharing new music that I have ‘found’ and hope that like minded people enjoy my choices. I am lucky to DJ once a month at Ronnie’s and we run a night in Herne Bay, Kent called Soul by the Sea. I love dancing so I love going to other DJ nights as well.”
When asked about her take on International Women’s Day, Weller responds: “It’s good to celebrate IWD, especially if it helps women have the confidence to say ‘I am good, I should be playing, I have something unique to say and I’m going to say it.’ We all need someone to inspire us and give us hope. When I was young, I listened to a lot of radio and loved listening to Ranking Miss P on Radio 1. When I started out in music there were not many women in music companies, especially in A&R (artists and repertoire). I did whatever job I could. Being surrounded by other, like-minded, passionate people helps. I never imagined that one day I would be head of music at Ronnie’s (and I thank MD Fred Nash for the opportunity and belief in me). If I could give advice to someone who would want my job then I would say, be prepared to work hard and be passionate about what you do. You have to be single minded about the things you love. I am never not at work – I am always connected. I feel privileged to be part of the ongoing history of Ronnie’s, although it feels like a big responsibility at times!”
