London's jazz scene is flourishing despite rising costs and the looming specter of closure for many grassroots music venues. The city's iconic clubs, from Ronnie Scott's to Blue Note, are expanding and thriving as younger audiences flock to their doors. These clubs are not just destinations for seasoned fans but also hotspots for young enthusiasts who crave a connection with the rich history and evolution of jazz.
At the heart of this resurgence is the growing openness of younger generations towards the genre. According to Steve Rubie, owner of the 606 Club in Chelsea, "Younger audiences are less scared of jazz. It's all just music to them." This open-mindedness has enabled jazz clubs to tap into a more diverse and vibrant audience, with many venues now hosting events that blend traditional styles with contemporary elements.
The success of artists like Ezra Collective, who have won the Mercury Prize and played Wembley Arena, is largely attributed to their performances in these intimate settings. As Aisling Doherty, programming coordinator at the EFG London jazz festival, notes, "Jazz clubs are the heartbeat of the jazz scene." The festival's celebration of jazz clubs acknowledges the crucial role they play in nurturing talent and fostering a sense of community among musicians and fans.
Meanwhile, larger clubs like Ronnie Scott's are also undergoing transformations to cater to changing tastes. The legendary venue is set to unveil an expanded upstairs space featuring live remixing and broken beat performances, while Blue Note will soon open its first London outpost in Covent Garden.
However, despite these successes, many grassroots music venues are struggling to survive due to soaring costs and closures. Research by the Music Venue Trust has found that nearly half of these venues were running at a loss last year. The industry faces a financial crisis, with some owners opting not to reopen after the pandemic.
The situation is dire enough to warrant consideration of innovative solutions like a ticket levy on arena-level live music events. Giacomo Smith, founder of Kansas Smitty's, which closed during the pandemic, suggests introducing such a system to redistribute revenue from bigger concerts back into smaller venues that support musicians' artistic development and provide unique experiences for fans.
As music fans, we can contribute to this ecosystem by visiting local clubs regularly and showing our support on social media. As Steve Rubie advises, "Visit them regularly!" And, as Nolan Regent puts it, "Bring a friend" to these intimate spaces – the energy between musicians and audiences is palpable. In an era of polarisation, music has the power to unite us in shared passion and appreciation for this timeless art form.
At the heart of this resurgence is the growing openness of younger generations towards the genre. According to Steve Rubie, owner of the 606 Club in Chelsea, "Younger audiences are less scared of jazz. It's all just music to them." This open-mindedness has enabled jazz clubs to tap into a more diverse and vibrant audience, with many venues now hosting events that blend traditional styles with contemporary elements.
The success of artists like Ezra Collective, who have won the Mercury Prize and played Wembley Arena, is largely attributed to their performances in these intimate settings. As Aisling Doherty, programming coordinator at the EFG London jazz festival, notes, "Jazz clubs are the heartbeat of the jazz scene." The festival's celebration of jazz clubs acknowledges the crucial role they play in nurturing talent and fostering a sense of community among musicians and fans.
Meanwhile, larger clubs like Ronnie Scott's are also undergoing transformations to cater to changing tastes. The legendary venue is set to unveil an expanded upstairs space featuring live remixing and broken beat performances, while Blue Note will soon open its first London outpost in Covent Garden.
However, despite these successes, many grassroots music venues are struggling to survive due to soaring costs and closures. Research by the Music Venue Trust has found that nearly half of these venues were running at a loss last year. The industry faces a financial crisis, with some owners opting not to reopen after the pandemic.
The situation is dire enough to warrant consideration of innovative solutions like a ticket levy on arena-level live music events. Giacomo Smith, founder of Kansas Smitty's, which closed during the pandemic, suggests introducing such a system to redistribute revenue from bigger concerts back into smaller venues that support musicians' artistic development and provide unique experiences for fans.
As music fans, we can contribute to this ecosystem by visiting local clubs regularly and showing our support on social media. As Steve Rubie advises, "Visit them regularly!" And, as Nolan Regent puts it, "Bring a friend" to these intimate spaces – the energy between musicians and audiences is palpable. In an era of polarisation, music has the power to unite us in shared passion and appreciation for this timeless art form.
. bring a friend, get involved, show your love for these hidden gems... we gotta keep 'em alive 
u know whats wild? jazz scene in london r actually thriving rn but its like... super expensive 2 start or maintain a club 
meanwhile theres all these iconic clubs that r just gettin more popular with younger crowds 
i mean i love the evolution of jazz and all, but can we talk about how hard it is 4 these grassroots music venues 2 survive 
nearly half of them were losin money last year lol what even is da point if ur not makin a profit 
lets show our support 4 local clubs by checkin out regularly & spreadin da love on socials 
. And those intimate settings like Ronnie Scott's and 606 Club are the perfect breeding ground for new talent 
. I mean, who doesn't love the vibe of a crowded jazz club with great music pouring out? It's like the whole room is one big happy family 
... except for when people are trying to get in 
.
. Closing down or running at a loss is just unacceptable. I think that ticket levy on bigger concerts is a genius idea 
.
. And yeah, bring a friend! The energy between musicians and audiences is like nothing else 
. It's infectious, it's passionate... it's pure joy 
.
. It's so cool that younger audiences are giving jazz a second chance, and it's amazing to see artists like Ezra Collective taking advantage of these opportunities to create new music 
. But at the same time, it's sad to hear about the struggling grassroots venues - they're really the heartbeat of the jazz scene 
. I think introducing a ticket levy on bigger events could be a great way to help them out, and we can all play a part by supporting our local clubs and sharing their amazing vibes on social media 
.
. I mean, nearly half of them were running at a loss last year? That's just heartbreaking 
. We need to think outside the box here, maybe introduce a ticket levy or something to redistribute revenue from bigger concerts back into those struggling venues 
. So, let's all try to be more mindful of our jazz scene, shall we? 
like ezra collective r killin it right now w/ their blend of trad & contemp styles 
- it's not just for the old-school fans anymore! And I'm so down with artists like Ezra Collective who are pushing the boundaries of traditional jazz while still respecting its history 
.
. its like, these clubs are more than just places to listen to old school jazz, they're events where people come together to experience the history and evolution of the genre 
. i mean, take 606 club in chelsea - its all about bringin' people together through music 
.
. And Nolan's right, bringing a friend makes it even better! Let's keep supporting these incredible venues and the music they bring us 
. I mean, can you imagine a world without places like Ronnie Scott's and the 606 Club? They're not just historic venues, but they also play such a huge role in discovering new talent and fostering that community vibe among fans 
- it's like, the more energy we can bring to these spaces, the better off everyone will be 
. I mean, can you imagine a world without Ronnie Scott's or the 606 Club? Those iconic clubs have been around for decades, and their closure would be a huge loss for music fans everywhere 
.
. That's why I love the idea of innovative solutions like a ticket levy on arena-level live music events 
️. It could help redistribute revenue from bigger concerts back into smaller venues that support musicians' artistic development. And, let's be real, we can all contribute by visiting local clubs regularly and spreading the word on social media 
. So, let's keep supporting these amazing clubs and help preserve the jazz scene for future generations 
.