BBC Radio 3 went into Ronnie’s on 16 December, and recorded a Christmas show hosted by Georgia Mann, which will be broadcast on Sunday night Christmas Eve at 9pm.
Here is the BBC’s preview: “Georgia Mann visits Ronnie Scott’s in London for an evening of the best Christmas jazz. Emma Smith and band perform new arrangements of well-loved festive tunes, from Ella Fitzgerald’s I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm to Barbra Streisand’s Snowbound, and Director of Music James Pearson takes listeners on a whistle-stop tour through the venue’s Christmas gigs of the past from famous jazz legends including George Melly and Buddy Rich.“
Emma Smith told LJN: “This was one of the highlights of my musical year. This band is made up of people who are not just some of my best friends they are also real specialists in this style of festive, swinging music. They are an amazing team and we all had such an incredible time on stage. I thrive off the pressure of the recording red light: you have to be completely focussed, but also totally present for the audience at the club. Two completely sold-out houses at this wonderful and unique venue… it really doesn’t get better than that!”
Emma Smith will be at Ronnie Scott’s with a big band on 24 March (lunchtime and evening)
PERSONNEL
GEORGIA MANN presenter.
JAMES PEARSON compere
Emma Smith’s Snowbound
EMMA SMITH vocals
ROSS STANLEY Hammond B-3 organ
CONOR CHAPLIN bass
LUKE TOMLINSON drums
FREDDIE GAVITA trumpet
CALLUM AU trombone
HELENA KAY alto sax
ALEX GARNETT tenor sax
Arrangements by Callum Au, Alex Garnett and Emma Smith.
SET LIST
I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm
Winter Wonderland
Stormy Weather
Witchcraft
Snowbound
Blues in the night
What are you doing New Years Eve
Santa Baby
Monogamy blues
XMAS MEDLEY: Let it Snow/ Jingle Bells/ sleigh ride/ Christmas Song
Blues for Santa
One for my baby
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
