Brown’s Hotel has been called the jewel in the crown of luxury hotels in London. …and on Tuesdays to Thursday evenings from 1 October to 19 December, its welcoming Drawing Room, which is normally known as one of the poshest places in the world to have afternoon tea… is going to be alchemically transformed into an intimate ‘after dark’ gig venue.
The hotel has just announced:
“Throughout Autumn, our historic Drawing Room transforms into a cosy live music venue. Early in the evening, we draw a curtain – quite literally – on the day’s responsibilities to create a collaborative space where the boundary between artist and audience dissolves. Slink into a ruby red armchair and relax with a twist on a classic cocktail. As the evening takes on a more raucous mood, let your spirits soar in a foot-tapping tempest of improvised rhythms.”
An unusual and authentically good feature of this series is that the hotel management has chosen to put musicians directly in charge of the venture: Co-curators of the series are Liam Dunachie and Mátyás Gayer, and featured artists include: Alex Garnett, Sam Braysher, Freddie Gavita, Vas Xenopoulos… The very great Dave Green will be performing on the opening night. (October listing below).
I was at a ‘soft launch’ at the end of July with Leo Richardson, and it is a wonderfully welcoming space…
(Full press release begins:)
“Launching on 1st October at Brown’s Hotel in Mayfair, and running every Tuesday to Thursday evening until 19th December, The Drawing Room After Dark is a unique musical offering that unites the charm of The Drawing Room with the contemporary demand for more intimate music venues in London’s prestigious Mayfair.
Each evening from 8pm – 11pm, the historic Drawing Room will transform into an intimate jazz club. After Dark will be off-beat and unbridled, boldly blurring the line between artist and audience to redefine traditional hotel lounge performances.
Richard Cooke, Managing Director of Brown’s Hotel, comments: “We are bringing musicians together to perform in a curated manner. This is all about the music although we have a menu of food and drinks available.”
Jazz began to weave itself into London’s cultural fabric in the early 20th century, and remains a hugely popular and relevant genre today. Following in this tradition, “After Dark” promises to be a vibrant and lively space, with some of the most established figures of UK jazz collaborating with London’s most exciting emerging artists in a no-holds-barred celebration of the art form, bringing the distinctive vibe of a New York jazz club to the heart of Mayfair. Guests are invited to sink into armchairs and enjoy an evening of world-class small-group jazz in the unique and historic surroundings of the Brown’s Drawing Room.
Liam Dunachie and Mátyás Gayer, Curators of the After Dark series comment: “We’re very much looking forward to this exciting opportunity to bring world-class musicians to this new and unique addition to London’s thriving jazz scene this autumn.”
A dedicated menu will be available, with special dishes such as Cuttlefish Arancini, Cured Monkfish, and Deep-Fried Sardine Lasagne. And, just as After Dark puts a modern twist on classic jazz nights, the Drawing Room’s extensive drinks menu will serve signature cocktails, such as the Tuxedo and the Old Fashioned, reimagined by Donovan Bar’s creative team led by the
Director of Mixology, Federico Pavan.” (Press release ends)
The evenings are bookable / link below. There is no cover charge but a minimum food/drink spend of £30 per person is stipulated.
SCHEDULE/ FIRST TWO WEEKS
Sam Braysher Quartet / Tuesday 1st October 8-11pm
Sam Braysher – alto saxophone
Mátyás Gayer – piano
Dave Green – double bass
Josh Morrison – drums
Vasilis Xenopoulos Quartet – Wednesday 2nd October, 8-11pm
Vasilis Xenopoulos – tenor saxophone
Mátyás Gayer – piano
Mátyás Hofecker – double bass
Matt Home – drums
Liam Dunachie Trio – Thursday 3rd October 8-11pm
Liam Dunachie – piano
Dave Manington – double bass
Jay Davis – drums
Mátyás Gayer Trio – Tuesday 8th October 8-11pm
Mátyás Gayer – piano
Jeremy Brown – double bass
Mark Taylor – drums
Freddie Gavita Quartet – Wednesday 9th October 8-11pm
Freddie Gavita – trumpet
Liam Dunachie – piano
Dave Whitford – double bass
Tim Giles – drums
Alex Garnett Quartet – Thursday 10th October 8-11pm
Alex Garnett – tenor saxophone
Liam Dunachie – piano
Misha Mullov-Abbado – double bass
Matt Skelton – drums
