Among the notable events at Ronnie Scott’s January to March are Eliane Elias, Marius Neset, Dave Douglas, Billy Harper, John Scofield and Bill Evans’ Vans Band. This month, 25 January, Ronnie’s also repeats its instrument “amnesty”.
First standout this month is The Royal Scammers, in which brothers Paul (g) and Jeremy (d) Stacey lead a 14-piece playing Becker & Fagen over a whole week, 20-25 January. In the following weeks Ronnie’s will host, among others, Alec Orea Quintet feat. Alex Sipiagin & Will Vinson (28 Jan), Emma Rawicz Jazz Orchestra (30 Jan), Saturday Brunch: Songs & Stories with Ian Shaw & Norma Winstone (1 Feb lunch), The Three Great Guitars with Bireli Lagrene, Martin Taylor and Ulf Wakenius (1 Feb evening), Xhosa Cole presents FreeMonk (5 Feb), Dave Douglas Gifts Trio (6 Feb), Billy Harper (11 Feb), Natalie Duncan (15 Feb), Matt Holborn – Celebrating Stuff Smith (16 Feb), Bill Evans & the Vansband All Stars (11 March, with Gary Husband, Keith Carlock and Felix Pastorius), Nils Landgren Funk Unit (15 Mar), Marius Neset Quintet (22 Mar), Eliane Elias – The Art of Bossa Nova (25-27 Mar), John Scofield Trio (28-29 Mar, with bassist Vicente Archer and drummer Bill Stewart) and Mathias Eick (31 Mar). The full Ronnie Scott programme is at ronniescotts.co.uk/find-a-show.
Ronnie Scott’s Musical Instrument Amnesty, 25 January, invites anyone to donate unwanted musical instruments for distribution to school-aged children participating in music programmess in the UK and overseas. Instruments should be deposited at the club in Frith Street between 10am and 3pm. Each instrument will be carefully inspected and assigned a unique tracking number, enabling donors to follow its journey to its final destination. The amnesty is run by Ronnie Scott’s Charitable Foundation, launched in December 2015. Additional information can be requested from foundation@ronniescotts.co.uk.
Meanwhile, among the attractions along the road at the Pizza Express in Dean St are Rick Margitza (17 January), Ian Shaw with numerous guests (19-27 January), Durham University Big Band (1 February), Art Themen Organ Trio (2 Feb), Karen Sharp Quartet with Nikki Iles (4 Feb), O’Higgins & Luft Organ Quartet (5-6 Feb), Elio Rojas Trio (7 Feb, and of which they say “Experience the elegance of classical music intertwined with the vibrant rhythms and colors [sic] of jazz and Cuban culture”), The Gareth Lockrane Big Band (9 Feb), Mark Nightingale & Alan Barnes Sextet (18 Feb), Tommy Smith and Gwilym Simcock Duo (19-20 Feb), Kjetil Mulelid Trio (Feb 22), Norma Winstone ‘Inspirations’ with the Nikki Iles Trio (27 Feb), The Simon Spillett Big Band (2 March), Pete Roth Trio feat. Bill Bruford (10 Mar) and Eric Darius (12-15 March, and of whom they say “Florida born saxman Eric Darius is known for his dynamic stage performances … Eric’s live shows are very funky occasions, and they are always a party”). Full Pizza Dean St programme is here – pizzaexpresslive.com/whats-on.
