This month the historic Ladbroke Hall in west London launches the concert series “Friday Jazz” as part of its extensive cultural programme. Welcoming jazz lovers and new audiences alike, the venue, in partnership with Steinway and Sons and their soundscape designers Bang & Olufsen, will present some of today’s finest musicians, with a focus on high-quality, inclusive jazz.
The series opens at the hall – built in 1903 to house the Anglo-French Clément-Talbot car factory and showroom – on 22 September with the Zhenya Strigalev Sextet featuring special guests Lucy-Anne Daniels and Soweto Kinch. Then, on Friday 29 September, the award-winning jazz flautist Gareth Lockrane will team up with a band of long-term collaborators for a high energy set of original tunes spanning influences from contemporary jazz and cinematic sounds to gospel and blues. Some material will be drawn from Lockrane’s acclaimed albums Fistfight At The Barndance and The Strut; others will be new compositions.
On 6 October Baptiste Herbin, the virtuoso French saxophonist, makes his UK debut with a collaborative project featuring leading European guitarist Richard Manetti in a presentation of their new album, On Air. Additionally, Giacomo Smith, a renowned performer originally from New York, who has consolidated his position as one of London’s most distinctive and versatile jazz artists, will perform on 13 October with its quintet.
Others appearing through the autumn include Jean Toussaint, Leon Greening, Steve Fishwick, Femi Temowo and Ian Shaw.
Loic Le Gaillard, co-founder of the new Ladbroke Hall project says: “It’s been a dream of mine to be able to curate a space where the world’s finest jazz musicians can express their talent, while audiences can enjoy both tremendous music and some delicious food and drink in an inspiring setting. Here at Ladbroke Hall, we will have all of that under one roof thanks to all the wonderful creative talent we have on stage, as well as our chef Emanuele Pollini, voted chef of the year by Gambero Rosso in 2020.”
Situated at at 79 Barlby Rd, London, W10 6AZ, the hall is a Beaux Arts building, with a grand portico and heraldic crest sitting atop a magnificent arched window and resembles an Edwardian country house. It was financed by Charles Chetwynd-Talbot, 20th Earl of Shrewsbury & Talbot, who lent his family name and coat of arms to the company. The building’s name – Ladbroke Hall – was inspired by his parents-in-law’s country seat, and undoubtedly his love of classicism influenced the architecture.
For full jazz programme listings including EFG London Jazz Festival concerts consult the hall’s website. Contact Ladbroke Hall directly on 020 8962 8690 or email info@ladbrokehall.com.
This article was prepared with the assistance of the promoter.
