Bach to the long run at iconic jazz venue – Optimistic Information

Classical music is taking centre stage at Ronnie Scott’s in London, because the Soho establishment launches its first weekly orchestral nights following the reopening of its refurbished upstairs house.

Upstairs at Ronnie’s closed in October 2024 for renovations and reopened in February 2026 as a newly reimagined 140-capacity house. The revamped room, now that includes darkish wooden interiors, tender lighting, upgraded acoustics and upholstered banquettes, has already welcomed Cuban salsa, gospel and R&B since reopening, all a part of a seven-day-a-week programme spanning a number of genres.

Now, for the primary time within the membership’s 65-year historical past, it hosts common classical performances, with early and late exhibits scheduled each Monday. The brand new sequence types a part of a broader growth that sees the venue transfer past its jazz roots to embrace chamber music, recitals and cross-genre collaborations, whereas sustaining its repute as one of many UK’s main unbiased music venues.

Curated by violinist, vocalist and producer Lizzie Ball alongside the venue’s creative director and pianist James Pearson, Monday’s programme is structured round three strands: the Ronnie Scott’s Classical All Stars, the returning Classical Kicks sequence, and a brand new “Shut Up Classical” format mixing music with dialog.

Pearson has assembled a seven-piece chamber ensemble – The Ronnie Scott’s Classical All Stars –  that includes a few of the UK’s main gamers, together with violinists Ball and Shlomy Dobrinsky, violist Megan Cassidy, cellist Gabriella Swallow, multi-instrumentalist Jon Shenoy, brass participant Callum Au and percussionist James Turner. The group reinterprets orchestral and symphonic favourites for an intimate setting.

“Bringing classical music right into a venue greatest identified for jazz opens it as much as new audiences, and the power of a jazz membership mixed with classical efficiency is one thing actually distinctive,” Pearson and Ball stated. “Ronnie’s has at all times been about world-class music, and the membership has deep classical connections, from John Williams and Nigel Kennedy to Hendrix’s final gig, so classical is a pure match right here.”

Classical Kicks, Ball’s long-running mission and the primary classical night time ever staged at Ronnie Scott’s between 2012 and 2019, has additionally returned with an all-star line-up and visitor artists, performing repertoire starting from Piazzolla to Gershwin. In the meantime, Shut Up Classical affords extra intimate evenings combining efficiency and dialog, with visitors together with actor Juliet Stevenson and composer David Arnold.

“Our funding in Upstairs at Ronnie’s was at all times about desirous to create the perfect small venue on this planet,” stated managing director of Ronnie Scott’s, Fred Nash. “Presenting classical music in a jazz membership setting creates a private expertise that feels each unpretentious and welcoming”.

The power of a jazz membership mixed with classical efficiency is one thing actually distinctive

Alongside the musical growth, the venue has additionally opened its backstage areas to the general public, introducing The Greene Rooms, a “membership inside a membership” members’ lounge and artist hub named after proprietor Sally Greene. The modifications mark essentially the most important transformation of Ronnie Scott’s since its 2005 acquisition.

“We hope Ronnie could be pleased with this new enterprise, which could be very a lot within the spirit of the membership: you by no means know who you’ll see,” added Pearson and Ball.

The funding comes at a difficult time for the UK stay music sector, with widespread venue closures and monetary pressures. In opposition to this backdrop, the growth indicators a renewed dedication to supporting stay efficiency and broadening audiences.

Foremost picture: Monika C Jakubowska