Sarah Vaughn, Count Basie, Miles Davis, Wynton Marsalis, Cassandra Wilson and Kurt Elling are a few of the bigwigs who’ve graced this intimate club, and according to the website, these performers have specifically supported and attended the venue because it fosters a more intimate vibe than the large concert halls of London that fans and promoters might expect them to play. It’s said that it’s a great place for aspiring musicians to come and jam, and strives to stay as modern and relevant as possible by bringing in novel acts (both instrumental and DJ’s). The website even self-proclaims itself as a congregational spot for London’s hipsteriest hipsters! Regardless of it’s focus on this niche of a genre I am seeking, I learned through searching for funk that this club in particular seems to have a rich history and bustling scene that anyone could get into. I will certainly be toting my bass over there on occasion!
Ronnie Scott’s & the Quest for the Funk
I’ve been under the impression that there was a bustling funk and soul scene occurring in London. This was short sighted, as I was basing it on a select few bands who turned out to have origins outside of London (places like Leeds and Liverpool). Another point of reference for this concept was that there had been a few great funk bands coming out of London…. in the 80’s. However, all hope is not lost! There ARE many jazz clubs in England and luckily, several of them pay homage to this funky music I seek. Particularly, a little basement of a place that was established circa 1959 to accommodate the amazing number of talented artists seeking refuge in a small, intimate venue. This basement was transplanted over to the west side of the city years ago and it sits near Picadilly Circus and the Apollo. It’s called Ronnie Scott’s, and while it is not a “funk club,” they have dedicated their calendar to a weekly night of funk (once a month this is replaced with disco night, but I’d rather not talk about it).