Joe Stilgoe at Ronnie Scott’s legendary jazz club
Day 12 of Gentlemans Butler 21 days of luxury presents features some famous late night entertainment at Ronnie Scott’s, which must be one of London’s best known music venues.
As someone for whom music, performance and Soho are inextricably linked we felt that it was about time to feature the world famous Ronnie Scott’s on the pages of Gentlemans Butler.
I started my media career working at 13-14 Bateman Street, just a stone’s throw from Ronnie’s and in many ways they probably are now one of the grandfathers of creativity in the area.
For those not accustomed to Soho, it is a true melting pot of creative energy from fashion and food to performance and theatre in the heart of London. It’s an area that defined my twenties and thirties and now in my forties still love it, but in a slightly different way.
It’s an area that literally runs all day and all of the night and when the sun goes down and night owls appear is really when Ronnie’s, jazz and their late night sounds are at their best.
One can of course go to Ronnie’s at any time of the year both in the day and at night but around Christmas and The New Year is a perfect time to catch up with some friends and book yourself a table with food and/or drinks.
I recently went to see Joe Stilgoe who is a singer, pianist and songwriter.
Constantly touring around the world with his band and as a solo act from Ronnie Scott’s to the Royal Festival Hall to the Edinburgh Festival, Montreux Jazz Festival and in jazz clubs from New York to Berlin. He is a sought after cabaret act for private, charity and corporate events where he regularly performs for a clientele as diverse as Madonna, Mark Ronson, and Tom Ford. You also may well have heard of Joe via Radio 4, Wogan, Parkinson or on Friday Night Is Music Night and has been on Never Mind The Buzzocks and is a founding member of the hit comedy show, The Horne Section.
www.joestilgoe.com
A fantastic impresario Ronnie’s was packed and sitting in between a family group and some young ladies the audience appeared diverse, intelligent but not necessarily what you might have defined archetypal jazz worshippers. If you are on your tod and you can try to get a stool at the bar, I suggest you do.
Not only do I love the idea of a barman mixing wonderful cocktails as ivory keys, horns and drums are performing their musical acrobatics but you are right in the middle of the venue.
I drastically hope they do not try to change the club too much, because that laid back mix of crushed velvet, black ceilings, low lights and fantastic imagery of artists on the walls is a perfect mix and also perfect to enjoy some scintillating music whilst ohhh so quietly …. Enjoying the company of friends.
In 1959, saxophonist Ronnie Scott opened the door to a small basement club in London’s west end where local musicians could jam. Today, in Soho the likes of Sarah Vaughn, Count Basie and Miles Davis have performed and the club continues to present the biggest names in jazz including Wynton Marsalis, Cassandra Wilson, and Kurt Elling all of whom shun the concert halls in favour of the intimate and welcoming environs of the club.
With its introduction of the Late Late Show, a relaxed ‘50’s speakeasy vibe with doors open till the wee hours, the Wednesday Jazz Jam, a late night blowing session, plus Ronnie’s Bar eclectic programme of DJ sets and live music including Latin, jive, blues, flamenco and even tap dancing, Ronnie Scott’s has become the hang for London’s young hipsters and the place for music fans of all ages seeking jazz royalty in one of the world’s most famous jazz clubs.
Open until 3am, this late night hang offers live music from some of the capital’s finest young musicians attracting London style-setters and musicians and visitors from around the world. Yet it’s not just the cream of local talent on offer; often big names in town will drop by and sit in. You just never know who’s going to turn up – Macy Gray, Marcus miller, Stevie Wonder, Joss Stone and even the entire cast of Beyoncé have made an appearance.
Ronnie Scott’s 47 Frith St London, W1D 4HT
www.ronniescotts.co.uk
Box office 020 7439 0747
In addition you could also consider a Ronnie Scott’s Membership which comes with free tickets and a 20% discount for them and three friends. You will hear about the acts before everyone else, are able to book before others and have your own members dedicated line. Ronnie Scott’s Members also benefit from free entry to the capital’s coolest after-hours hang The Late Late Show, more live jazz from the best of UK musicians following the main act.
Add in complimentary members-only drinks tastings from the likes of Taittinger Champagne and Talisker Whisky, plus other special members-only events such as jazz film previews, jazz photography exhibitions and lectures.
The Deluxe Membership Gift Box contains extra special gifts – an exclusive, Collectors disc (a numbered edition 10” vinyl of a 1964 recording of Ronnie Scott’s 1612 Overture recorded at Ronnie Scott’s featuring an iconic image taken by well know jazz photographer, Val Wilmer), a voucher for a bottle of champagne, a Ronnie Scott’s All Stars CD and T Shirt
The Ronnie Scott’s Membership is available at just £195 per year (£245 Deluxe Edition). Purchase at www.ronniescotts.co.uk/membership or call 020 7439 0747
Ronnie Scott’s, 47 Frith Street, Soho, W1
www.ronniescotts.co.uk
For more Society and Entertainment see Gentlemans Butler Society