Soho Live Jazz Week 2021

From the 15-17th of September 2021, Soho’s iconic performance venues are coming together to celebrate London's freshest jazz festival, Soho Live Jazz Week.

Over the 3 days, artists including the internationally-renowned violinist Omar Puente, the Jazz FM Award-winning vocalist Cherise and the superb saxophonist Denys Baptiste.

Get your tickets here and find out more about the lineup below...

Soho Live Jazz Week 2021 lineup:

WEDNESDAY 15 SEPTEMBER

JMT Modern Jazz Trio, Jack Solomons Club, Great Windmill St. 6:30pm

A modern jazz fusion trio led by the UK's rising drummer talent, Jamie Murray. Jamie has played with most of his contemporaries and peers in the London Jazz scene as well as crossing into the electronic pop world, playing and recording with Jazz giants from the Sun Ra Arkestra, Knoel Scott and Cecil Brooks. His original project demonstrates his virtuosic drumming skills through an eclectic mix of groove-based jazz and electronic soundscapes.

Omar Puente: A Night in Havana, Balans Soho No.60, Old Compton St. 7pm

Internationally renowned Cuban Violinist & bandleader, Omar Puente brings the Latin flavours of Havana to Balans! Since arriving in England in 1997, Omar has maintained an international profile, playing all over Europe, the USA and Africa, with musicians such as Tito Puente, Kirsty MacColl, Jools Holland and Courtney Pine.

Portrait of Bud Powell with Andrea Rinciari, The Piano Bar Soho, Carlisle St. 7pm

Bud Powell was not only one of the greatest bebop pianists of all time, he stands as one of the twentieth century’s most dynamic and fiercely adventurous musical minds. Andrea Rinciari, an accomplished jazz guitarist and rising talent, presents to us a portrait of one his biggest influences, interpreting guitar versions of classic Bud repertoire accompanied by his all star trio.

Nick Costley-White Trio, Spice of Life, Moor St. 8pm

Renowned for a deep understanding of the jazz tradition and repertoire, alongside a virtuosic technique and progressive approach to improvising, Nick has built a reputation over the last 10 years as one of the UK’s most accomplished jazz guitarists and is featured on over 20 recordings to date, including his quartet’s debut release "Detour Ahead”, which was met to critical acclaim.

Anjelo Disons & The Oracle, Jack Solomons Club, Great Windmill St. 9pm

Anjelo is a talent overspilling with heart and soul and his jazz-tinged vocal style has been praised by the likes of Clash Magazine and Lost Culture. Backed by a sensational collective of musicians called The Oracle, Anjelo presents his highly-anticipated new EP, The Garden a phenomenal blend of his unique vocals & virtuoso live band that really show off the best of this young talent.

THURSDAY 16 SEPTEMBER

Cheeky Chops with James Browne, The Green Bar, Hotel Café Royal, Regent St. 6:30pm

London’s king of stride piano, James Browne hosts an evening of jazz & blues with his all star trio performing rare sounds from the likes of Bechet, Ellington, Fats & Django in the Green Bar of the legendary Hotel Cafe Royal.

Soho Live All Stars feat. Eerf Evil, Jack Solomons Club, Great Windmill St. 6:30pm

Soho Live's Musical Director & pianist, Nathan Britton presents his new EP, Island of The Bards with his all star band and hosts an eclectic NuJazz jam with special guest MC Eerf Evil, one of the UK's finest jazz-rap talents. Featuring Benet Mclean (violin/fx), Andy Davies (trumpet), Ollie Hopkins (bass), Jamie Murray (drums) & Jansen Santana (percussion).

Cherise, The Piano Bar Soho, Carlisle St. 8pm

Cherise Adams-Burnett is blazing a trail as a fiercely talented vocalist and musician, appearing at some of the country’s most prestigious venues and festivals, including the Royal Albert Hall. Cherise was awarded Vocalist of the year by Jazz FM in 2019 and the Parliamentary Jazz Awards in 2020 and now as part of Soho Live Jazz Week, Cherise now provides an intimate stripped-back performance at the festival’s home in The Piano Bar Soho.

Cocktail Swing with Riketté Genesis, Martinez, Greek St. 7pm

Charismatic vocalist, Rikette Genesis recently released her EP, Busy Line which highlights her traditional gypsy jazz and swing influences. Now, as part of Soho Live Jazz Week, Rikette returns to Soho alongside virtuoso pianist Liam ‘Fox Cub’ Stevens and a special guest bassist to interpret repertoire from the likes of Anita O'Day, Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald.

Kings of Bebop with Andy Davies, Jack Solomons Club, Great Windmill St. 9pm

Ronnie Scott’s All Star, Andy Davies hosts a night of an explosion of catchy originals & reworked jazz classics displaying his savage bebop skills and world-class trumpet mastery. The album features an all star cast of award- winning musicians including Tony Kofi (Saxophone), Nathan Britton (Piano), Mikele Montolli (Upright Bass) & Saleem Raman (Drums).

FRIDAY 17 SEPTEMBER

Ain't Misbehavin with Liam Stevens, The Green Bar, Hotel Café Royal, Regent St. 6:30pm

Liam 'Foxcub' Stevens presents an evening of virtuosic bebop and swing with his interpreting music from favourite musicians such as Oscar Peterson, Tubby Hayes and Art Tatum. This Piano Bar resident never disappoints, delivering a very high level of quality, passion and musicianship in his performances. Join Liam and his all star trio at the legendary Green Bar of Hotel Cafe Royal.

The Olly Chalk Trio,The Piano Bar Soho, Carlisle St. 6:30pm

Olly Chalk is one of the most forward-thinking and engaging young improvisers in jazz today. His trio, featuring Tom Dring on bass and Gwilym Jones on drums, are focused on intertwining Olly’s intricate and explosive improvising. The influence of Wayne Shorter, Kenny Kirkland and 20th Century Classical music can be heard throughout the trio’s exploration of some lesser-known standards.

Ronnie Scott and his World Famous Jazz Club**, Music Documentary Film Premiere with Directors Reception The Soho Hotel, Richmond Mews 6:30pm**

An exclusive cinema premiere of the hit 2020 documentary, a celebration of the legacy of Ronnie Scott and his world-famous jazz club, featuring previously unseen and unheard performances as well as interviews with some of the most iconic figures in music with Chet Baker, Sonny Rollins, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Roland Kirk, Buddy Rich, Oscar Peterson and Nina Simone to name a few. This special screening at The Soho Hotel includes a reception in the hotel’s colourful Drawing Room with the Director “Oliver Murray” who will introduce the film accompanied by a live performance from jazz trio The Soho Live All-Stars, playing music inspired by the soundtrack.

Mo Pleasure Band, Sanctum Soho, Warwick St. 7pm

Morris "Mo" Pleasure's professional career spans the world of American R&B and pop, through his work with Ray Charles, George Duke, Chaka Khan, Mary J Blige, Natalie Cole, David Foster and Bette Midler to name a few. In 1993, he became a member of the legendary group Earth, Wind & Fire. In 2009, as keyboardist for Michael Jackson's highly anticipated "This Is It" tour, he performed at the pop legend's memorial concert in Los Angeles.

Pure Imagination with Kitty LaRoar Century Club, Shaftesbury Avenue. 8pm

Originally inspired by Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan, Kitty La Roar’s unique talents are not just as silky voiced songstress, scat-singer and drummer. The trio performs highly original arrangements by Kitty and her pianist Nick Shankland and although the genre is clearly jazz, this unpredictable and eclectic music entrances and engages the audience. “When Kitty sings, music stops to listen” – Jazz in Europe.

Aydenne Simone and the Big Mama Trio The Piano Bar Soho, Carlisle St. 8pm

Dubbed the Queen of Swing, Aydenne Simone is an established jazz singer specialising in jazz and blues. As one of the UK’s top blues singers, the international powerhouse vocalist continues to wow audiences with her energetic performances and deep sensuous velvet tones.

Quintet Blue with Denys Baptiste Sanctum Soho, Warwick St. 9pm

Pianist Alex Webb leads this group with a front-line of two of the UK’s greatest jazz improvisers: tenor saxophonist Denys Baptiste and guitarist Nigel Price. Together they celebrate the bluesy, swinging jazz of the 1950s and 60s, with a repertoire of pieces from Wes Montgomery, Kenny Burrell, Ahmad Jamal and others, as well as more recent works from Charlie Haden’s Quartet West. Quintet Blue is completed by two young lions of the UK scene, bassist Mikele Montoli, and drummer Shaney Forbes of Empirical.

You can get your tickets to Soho Live Jazz Week 2021 here.