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Ronnie Scott’s, the iconic jazz club in London’s Soho, is expanding its musical horizons by introducing weekly orchestral performances in its newly renovated upstairs venue. This marks a significant new chapter in the club’s 65-year history, as classical music becomes a regular feature alongside the established jazz presentations. The upstairs room, which underwent a major refurbishment from October 2024 to February 2026, now accommodates 140 guests and boasts enhanced acoustics, dark wood paneling, atmospheric lighting, and comfortable upholstered seating. Since reopening, it has hosted diverse genres including Cuban salsa, gospel, and R&B, forming part of an eclectic seven-day programme.
The Monday classical nights represent the venue’s first dedicated orchestral series, featuring both early and late shows. This initiative is part of a broader evolution that sees Ronnie Scott’s branching out beyond its jazz tradition into chamber music, recitals, and genre-crossing collaborations. The programme is curated by violinist, vocalist, and producer Lizzie Ball, working in partnership with the venue’s artistic director and pianist James Pearson. Their vision includes three distinctive strands: the Ronnie Scott’s Classical All Stars, the revived Classical Kicks series, and an innovative “Close Up Classical” format that blends musical performance with engaging conversations.
James Pearson has gathered a talented seven-piece group known as the Ronnie Scott’s Classical All Stars. This ensemble features notable UK musicians such as Lizzie Ball and Shlomy Dobrinsky on violin, violist Megan Cassidy, cellist Gabriella Swallow, multi-instrumentalist Jon Shenoy, brass player Callum Au, and percussionist James Turner. Together, they reinterpret orchestral and symphonic works suited for the club’s intimate setting. Reflecting on the new direction, Pearson and Ball noted, “Bringing classical music into a venue best known for jazz opens it up to new audiences, and the energy of a jazz club combined with classical performance is something truly unique. Ronnie’s has always been about world-class music, and the club has deep classical connections, from John Williams and Nigel Kennedy to Hendrix’s last gig, so classical is a natural fit here.”
The Classical Kicks project, which Ball originally launched at Ronnie Scott’s between 2012 and 2019 as the club’s first classical night, has made a welcome return. It features an all-star lineup performing pieces that range from Piazzolla to Gershwin. The Close Up Classical series offers more intimate evenings where music intertwines with conversation, hosting guests such as actor Juliet Stevenson and composer David Arnold. Fred Nash, managing director of Ronnie Scott’s, expressed that their investment in upgrading the upstairs was aimed at creating “the best small venue in the world,” emphasizing that presenting classical music within a jazz club setting cultivates an experience that is both unpretentious and inviting. Alongside these musical developments, Ronnie Scott’s has unveiled The Greene Rooms—a members’ lounge and artist hub named in honor of owner Sally Greene
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