One hundred and thirty-seven days after it closed due to Covid-19 restrictions, Ronnie Scott’s club will reopen 1 August, admitting 50% capacity audiences and applying social-distancing measures.
The Ronnie Scott’s All Stars were the last band to play the club and will be the first band to play the reopened venue in London’s Soho district.
The reappearance of the club will give hope of wider opportunity to London’s jazz musicians, who have been largely unable to work since late March and have been reliant on the UK government grant scheme which ends in August.
Ticket sales are reported to be strong. The club’s MD, Simon Cooke said: “We have been looking on enviously whilst restaurants have reopened, especially as the club is laid out like a restaurant. Our unique structure of seating lends itself to distancing – some may say the added space is an improvement!”
The club will also follow other Soho venues in offering exterior seating where food and drink will be served.
The lineup for early August is:
Sat 1 August: The Ronnie Scott’s Allstars perform the Soho Songbook
Sun 2 August (lunch): James Pearson Trio – 100 years of Jazz Piano
Sun 2 August (evening): The Ronnie Scott’s Allstars perform the Soho Songbook
Mon 3 August: Pete Long & Simon Spillett play Jazz Couriers
Tues 4 August: Mark Kavuma Milestones and more
Weds 5 August: Reuben James trio
Thurs 6 August: Emma Smith/Jamie Safir and friends – Portrait of Ella
Fri 7 August: Liane Carroll Trio
Sat 8 August: Liane Carroll Trio
Sun 9 Aug (evening): The Ronnie Scott’s Blues Band
Tickets and more information available ronniescotts.co.uk.