Soho’s iconic Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club reopens in style
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London’s iconic Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club reopened in style tonight after being shut for 137 days due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Soho-based club opened its doors with a reduced capacity of 50 per cent and with strict social distancing measures in place.
The venue had been gearing up to welcome guests back inside from August 1 with a special gig, but this date was pushed back after a government announcement at the end of July.
Back in business: London’s iconic Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club reopened in style tonight after being shut for 137 days due to the coronavirus pandemic
The Ronnie Scott’s All Stars, who were the last act to play before the closure, hit the stage at the reopening, where groups of drinkers enjoyed a cocktail in the outdoor seating areas.
The group featuring vocal sensation Natalie Williams and the club’s Musical Director, James Pearson, with the band presenting The Soho Songbook with classic music from the jazz greats.
Other artists hitting the stage included one of the UK’s top jazz vocalists Liane Carrol and singer-songwriter Reuben James.
Party time! The Ronnie Scott’s All Stars, who were the last act to play before the closure, hit the stage at the reopening, where groups of drinkers enjoyed a cocktail in the outdoor seating areas
Rules: The Soho-based club opened its doors with a reduced capacity of 50 per cent and with strict social distancing measures in place
Warm-up: Natalie Williams of the The Ronnie Scott’s All Stars rehearsed ahead of the reopening of Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club on Saturday
Getting ready: Singer Natalie Williams applied makeup ahead of her performance at the reopening of Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in Soho
Disappointing: The venue had been gearing up to welcome audiences back inside from August 1 with a special gig, but this date was pushed back after a government announcement at the end of July
Simon Cooke, managing Director of Ronnie Scott’s said: ‘It’s great to be back doing what we do, we have been looking on enviously whilst restaurants have reopened, especially as the club is laid out like a restaurant.
‘We have been planning the relaunch for some time so as soon as we got the green light for live performance we moved into action.
‘Our unique structure of seating lends itself to distancing, some may say the added space is an improvement.
Preparations: A member of staff cleaned tables ahead of the opening of Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, as the venue welcomes visitors for the first time since it closed for lockdown
Performance: The Ronnie Scotts All Stars rehearsed on stage ahead of the reopening
Overdue: Simon Cooke, managing Director of Ronnie Scott’s said: ‘It’s great to be back doing what we do’
Fun: Members of the public dined outside Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in Soho, London, as the venue welcomes visitors for the first time since it closed for lockdown
Iconic: Excited members of the public queued to enter the central London venue tonight
Music: Other artists hitting the stage included one of the UK’s top jazz vocalists Liane Carrol, singer-songwriter Reuben James
Decisions: The move to reopen comes after careful consideration and a poll amongst the club’s members
Safety first: A man had his temperature checked ahead of entering the venue on the night of its reopening
Pre-show: The singer Emma Smith sang into a make up brush ahead of her performance at the reopening of Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club
‘Safety of our customers, staff and artists is of paramount importance so there will be protocols for the customers, the staff and the musicians.
‘It’s been reported that social distancing measures could be financially ruinous for many other music venues to open, but it would be financially ruinous for us not to!’
Announcing the push back of the reopening dates of indoor music venues on July 31, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: ‘Our plan to reopen society was conditional and relies on continued progress against the virus.
Our assessment is that we should squeeze the brake pedal.’
Exciting: A couple took a selfie at the opening of Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club after 137 days of being shut
Getting ready: Natalie Williams of the The Ronnie Scotts All Stars rehearsed ahead of the reopening
Precautions: The tables at the venue were divided by glass for social distancing measures to be possible
Tough decisions: Announcing the push back of the reopening dates of indoor music venues on July 31, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: ‘Our plan to reopen society was conditional and relies on continued progress against the virus
Time to celebrate: Ronnie Scott’s thew open its doors for the first time in 137 days having been closed due the global Coronavirus pandemic
Popular: Members of the public wore masks as they waited eagerly in the queue to enter the venue
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