Bach to the future at iconic jazz venue – Positive News

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

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

Now, for the first time in the club’s 65-year history, it hosts regular classical performances, with early and late shows scheduled every Monday. The new series forms part of a broader expansion that sees the venue move beyond its jazz roots to embrace chamber music, recitals and cross-genre collaborations, while maintaining its reputation as one of the UK’s leading independent music venues.

Curated by violinist, vocalist and producer Lizzie Ball alongside the venue’s artistic director and pianist James Pearson, Monday’s programme is structured around three strands: the Ronnie Scott’s Classical All Stars, the returning Classical Kicks series, and a new “Close Up Classical” format blending music with conversation.

Pearson has assembled a seven-piece chamber ensemble – The Ronnie Scott’s Classical All Stars –  featuring some of the UK’s leading players, including violinists Ball and Shlomy Dobrinsky, violist Megan Cassidy, cellist Gabriella Swallow, multi-instrumentalist Jon Shenoy, brass player Callum Au and percussionist James Turner. The group reinterprets orchestral and symphonic favourites for an intimate setting.

“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,” Pearson and Ball said. “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.”

Classical Kicks, Ball’s long-running project and the first classical night ever staged at Ronnie Scott’s between 2012 and 2019, has also returned with an all-star line-up and guest artists, performing repertoire ranging from Piazzolla to Gershwin. Meanwhile, Close Up Classical offers more intimate evenings combining performance and conversation, with guests including actor Juliet Stevenson and composer David Arnold.

“Our investment in Upstairs at Ronnie’s was always about wanting to create the best small venue in the world,” said managing director of Ronnie Scott’s, Fred Nash. “Presenting classical music in a jazz club setting creates a personal experience that feels both unpretentious and welcoming”.

The energy of a jazz club combined with classical performance is something truly unique

Alongside the musical expansion, the venue has also opened its backstage areas to the public, introducing The Greene Rooms, a “club within a club” members’ lounge and artist hub named after owner Sally Greene. The changes mark the most significant transformation of Ronnie Scott’s since its 2005 acquisition.

“We hope Ronnie would be proud of this new venture, which is very much in the spirit of the club: you never know who you’ll see,” added Pearson and Ball.

The investment comes at a challenging time for the UK live music sector, with widespread venue closures and financial pressures. Against this backdrop, the expansion signals a renewed commitment to supporting live performance and broadening audiences.

Main image: Monika C Jakubowska