In January 2027, Ronnie Scott’s will celebrate the centenary of the birth of its legendary founder, Ronnie Scott, with a series of special events paying tribute to his life, music and enduring influence on jazz and live music in the UK.
Born in East London on January 28th 1927, Ronnie Scott became one of the defining figures in British jazz. As a tenor saxophonist, bandleader and passionate advocate for musicians, he played a central role in the development of the UK jazz scene before joining forces with fellow saxophonist Pete King in 1959 to establish the club that would bear his name.
What began as a small basement club in Soho became an institution. Since opening, Ronnie Scott’s has welcomed generations of the world’s greatest musicians, from Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Nina Simone, Herbie Hancock and Oscar Peterson to Wynton Marsalis, Jamie Cullum, Robert Glasper, Pat Metheny and Gregory Porter. Alongside them, the club has continued to champion successive generations of British artists, from Ezra Collective, Jacob Collier and Nubya Garcia to the many musicians who form the club’s wider artistic community today.
The centenary programme will bring together musicians, artists, audiences and friends of the club throughout January, looking back at Ronnie Scott’s remarkable contribution to British music while celebrating the continuing life of the club he founded.
The centenary celebrations will begin with an intimate party at the club for Ronnie Scott’s Members on Wednesday January 27th. With just 100 guests, the evening will feature a live band and special guests, with further details to be announced later this year.
The following evening, Ronnie Scott’s 100th Birthday: A Celebration In Concert will take place at the Barbican, presented by Ronnie Scott’s in association with Serious.
Led by Ronnie Scott’s Artistic Director James Pearson and members of the Ronnie Scott’s All Stars, the specially curated ensemble will bring together a cross-generational selection of musicians with close links to the club. The line-up will include Art Themen, John Etheridge, Orphy Robinson, Camilla George, Daniel Casimir, Mark Kavuma and Joe Webb, alongside further artists from the Ronnie Scott’s family. They will be joined by special guests Mica Paris, Curtis Stigers and Omar Puente, with further artists to be announced.
The one-off concert will celebrate Ronnie Scott’s life and musical legacy through live performance, historic film and archive material, drawing on music associated with both Ronnie himself and the artists who shaped the club over more than six decades.
Fred Nash, Managing Director of Ronnie Scott’s:
“Ronnie Scott’s was built on a love of music, musicians and the extraordinary experience of hearing great artists perform live, and that spirit remains at the heart of the club today. Ronnie’s 100th birthday is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate his life and contribution to music, as well as the incredible community that has grown around the club over the past six decades. We’re delighted to be bringing together so many extraordinary musicians for this very special concert at the Barbican, alongside a wider programme of events throughout January.”