10 venues in Soho, more than 100 jazz artists and 17 shows: Soho. Live Jazz Week returns on 15 September, writes Izzy Blankfield.
This year’s lineup for Soho.Live Jazz Week (see full listing below) sees a host of familiar names sharing the stage with a new wave of jazz stars. As Nathan Britton explained to us:
“Our idea is to take an eclectic approach to London’s vibrant jazz scene and jam culture. We love the new but also appreciate the heritage and those who champion it,”
Venues include Balans, The Piano Bar Soho and The Spice of Life, as well as some of Soho’s exclusive members clubs, including Jack Solomons Club and Martinez.
The festival opens with the JMT Modern Jazz Trio, led by rising drummer talent Jamie Murray. The same night will see a soulful performance by South London jazz talent Anjelo Disons and The Oracle and a virtuosic performance by the Nick Costley-White Trio.
The second night will include performances by Soho Live’s Musical Director and pianist, Nathan Britton and Jazz FM’s 2019 Vocalist of the Year Cherise, as well as an evening of Cocktail Swing with vocalist Riketté Genesis. Rounding off the festival on Friday is the legendary Mo Pleasure and his new band, and an improvised performance by Alex Webb’s Quintet Blue, who are joined by tenor saxophonist Denys Baptiste for a celebration of the 1950s and 60s.
One highlight of the festival will undoubtedly be the exclusive cinema premiere of Ronnie Scott and his World Famous Jazz Club, a tribute to the jazz legend with director Oliver Murray. Alongside the packed programme of ticketed events, the festival will also host three free events: Ain’t Misbehavin with Liam Stevens, A Night in Havana with Cuban violinist and band leader Omar Puente and Cheeky Chops with James Browne.
Events
Wednesday 15 September
JMT Modern Jazz Trio
6.30pm – Jack Solomons Club, Great Windmill St.
Omar Puente: A Night in Havana
7pm – Balans Soho No.60, Old Compton St.
Portrait of Bud Powell with Andrea Rinciari
7pm – The Piano Bar Soho, Carlisle St.
Nick Costley-White Trio
8pm – Spice of Life, Moor St.
Anjelo Disons & The Oracle
9pm – Jack Solomons Club, Great Windmill St.
Thursday 16 September
Cheeky Chops with James Browne
6.30pm – The Green Bar, Hotel Café Royal, Regent St.
Soho Live All Stars feat. Eerf Evil
6.30pm – Jack Solomons Club, Great Windmill St.
Cocktail Swing with Riketté Genesis
7pm – Martinez, Greek St.
Cherise
8pm – The Piano Bar Soho, Carlisle St.
Kings of Bebop with Andy Davies
9pm – Jack Solomons Club, Great Windmill St.
Friday 17 September
Ain’t Misbehavin with Liam Stevens
6.30pm – The Green Bar, Hotel Café Royal, Regent St.
The Art of the Trio
6.30pm – The Piano Bar Soho, Carlisle St.
Ronnie Scott and his World Famous Jazz Club (music documentary film premiere with directors reception)
6.30pm – The Soho Hotel, Richmond Mews
Mo Pleasure Band
7pm – Sanctum Soho, Warwick St.
Pure Imagination with Kitty LaRoar
8pm – Century Club, Shaftesbury Avenue
Aydenne Simone and the Big Mama Trio
8pm – The Piano Bar Soho, Carlisle St.
Quintet Blue with Denys Baptiste
9pm – Sanctum Soho, Warwick St.