JOHNATHAN BLAKE

Drummer-composer Johnathan Blake returns to Ronnie Scott’s with music from his powerful new Blue Note album My Life Matters. Originally commissioned by The Jazz Gallery, the suite is both personal and political – a reflection on racial injustice, resilience, and family legacy. With themes that resonate deeply in today’s world, the music moves between contemplation and confrontation, anchored by Blake’s unmistakable rhythmic voice.

Heralded by NPR as the ultimate modernist, the Philadelphia-raised Johnathan Blake has been one of the most creative drummers of recent times, backing up heavyweights from the Mingus Big Band, Pharoah Sanders, Q-Tip and Dr. Lonnie Smith, to post-bop innovators Tom Harrell, Maria Schneider and countless other distinctive voices.

The Band: John Ellis ~ saxophone, ewi | Fabian Almazan ~ piano, electronics | Jalen Baker ~ vibraphone | Ben Street ~ bass

Cover: £40 – £55 | $40.96 ~ $64.36

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RONNIE SCOTT’S ALL STARS

It has been named jazz’s greatest year. There was definitely something in the air in 1959, and it wasn’t just NASA: Castro took over Cuba, Buddy Holly died in a plane crash, Pan Am started regular flights around the world, and NASA sent 7 astronauts into space.

Ronnie Scott’s, of course, was founded in 1959. The idea of opening a jazz club along the lines of the intimate and bustling venues of New York’s 52nd Street was hatched by two ardent jazz fans who happened to be very much part of a burgeoning modern jazz movement of the late fifties: tenor saxophonist Ronnie Scott who had since the late forties, wowed the bebop brigade in a series of bands commencing with the nine-piece which featured his business partner to be and fellow saxophonist Pete King.

Three greats of jazz died – Lester Young, Billie Holiday and Sidney Bechet but born out of so much world turmoil were a spate of jazz masterpieces.

In March, Miles Davis created the definitive jazz album in A Kind of Blue. In May, Charles Mingus released an album called Mingus Ah Um – possibly his definitive album. Also in May, Ornette Coleman’s album The Shape of Jazz To Come became ‘the genesis of avant-garde jazz’, and John Coltrane recorded Giant Steps from May to December.

What Miles did for harmonic shifts, The Dave Brubeck Quartet did for rhythmic innovations with Time Out, challenging the acceptable 4/4 and 3/4 time signatures and even creating the hit Take Five with their 5/4 time signature.

Having spent eight months in the Miles Davis Quintet, Bill Evans released Portrait in Jazz in December with Paul Motian and Scott LaFaro, often regarded as one of the greatest jazz trios.

In the show, you can expect to hear a sample of music from all of these genre-defining jazz classics performed by the unmatched Ronnie Scott’s All Stars.

Line-up

Freddie Gavita ~ trumpet
Alex Garnett ~ saxophone
James Pearson ~ piano
Sam Burgess ~ bass
Sebastian de Krom ~ drums

Tickets: £35 ~ £55 | $40.96 ~ $64.36

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ETHAN IVERSON SEXTET

Ethan Iverson avoids technical excess as his improvisations unfold sparely in his right hand, usually with very little or no emphasis on his left hand. He plays deliberately, nurturing his ideas sometimes in unhurried quarter notes or eighth notes…Iverson stretches tonality through single lines, which grow more adventurous the longer they unfold.

The Band: Sam Newsome – Saxophone | Johnathan Finlayson – Trumpet | Jacob Garchik – Trombone | Ethan Iverson – Piano | Peter Washington – Bass | Kush Abadey – Drums

Cover: $40.00 + fee

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THAD WILSON SEPTET

Experience the magic of big band jazz at the historic Whittemore House, a Dupont Circle landmark. The acclaimed Thad Wilson Septet will have you on your feet!

His career has taken him from DC’s Blues Alley to global stages where Wilson and his trumpet have shared the spotlight with jazz legends like James Moody, Wynton Marsalis and Roy Hargrove. A composer, bandleader and film score artist, he brings soul, swing and storytelling to each performance. Returning for an extraordinary performance is vocalist Steve Washington.

Tickets: $55.00

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NICOLE HENRY

Nicole Henry has established herself among the jazz world’s most acclaimed performers, telling real stories through impeccable interpretations of repertoire from the American Songbook, classic and contemporary jazz, popular standards, blues, and originals.

Among her numerous accolades, Henry’s soulful voice and heartfelt charisma have earned her a Soul Train Award for “Best Traditional Jazz Performance,” “Best New Jazz Artist” by HMV Japan, “Best Solo Musician” by her hometown Miami New Times, and she was hailed as “One of Eight Black Artists Making Waves in 2024” by Symphonic Distribution. BroadwayWorld Miami named her “Vocalist of the Decade.”

She has released eight albums and enjoyed four Top 10 CDs, including her latest 2021 album, Time to Love Again, which reached #4 on the U.S. JazzWeek chart, remaining in the Top 40 for 20 weeks. In late 2019, Ms. Henry returned to the theatrical stage and garnered critical praise in the musical versions of The Bodyguard, The Color Purple, and Smokey Joe’s Cafe. She also starred in the worldwide debut of the musical A Wonderful World, based on the life of Louis Armstrong.

Cover: $41.45 to $50.65

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