aaamusic | On 30, May 2011

Ronnie Scott’s welcomes legendary trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and his stunning septet back to the world-famous Soho club almost five years to the day since he marked the opening of the revamped venue in August 2006. It was following the club’s purchase, restoration and re-launch by theatre impresario Sally Greene, that the booking of Wynton Marsalis really announced that the new club meant business! Now, in celebration of the five year anniversary of the club’s re-launch, and working with international music producers Serious, Ronnie Scott’s is delighted to welcome the iconic trumpeter back for what promises to be an exhilarating week of magical music. Marsalis will perform two shows a night for five nights starting August 16th in what promises to be this summer’s hottest ticket.

Wynton Marsalis is arguably the most influential jazz musician of the last 40 years. His take on the music’s history, his virtuoso trumpet playing, sense of tradition and stewardship of the Lincoln Centre Jazz Orchestra has inspired a new generation of ‘young lions’, putting him at the very forefront of the music worldwide.

Marsalis has graced the world’s greatest venues from the Lincoln Centre and Carnegie Hall to London’s Barbican Centre and Royal Albert Hall, and it is a testament to the style and success of the new Ronnie Scott’s that he has chosen to grace the hallowed stage in celebration of the club’s anniversary. And it isn’t just Marsalis – over the past five year’s, iconic artists such as Tony Bennett, Dame Cleo Laine, Van Morrison, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Michel Legrand and Jeff Beck have all chosen to forgo the concert hall in favour of Ronnie Scott’s peerless sound, acoustics and its intimate yet vibrant atmosphere. Plus, on July 11th legendary British jazz guitarist John McLaughlin will grace the Ronnie Scott’s stage for the first time since the late-60s as the club again pulls out the stops in celebration of their 5th anniversary!!

However Ronnie’s isn’t just about the established icons. The club remains at the forefront of the music scene giving platforms to rising stars such as trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire (whose show received five star reviews in the Guardian and FT) and hip-hop flavoured pianist Robert Glasper (who has worked with Erykah Badu, Mos Def and Kanye West), uber-cool Italian DJ and band-leader Nicola Conte and promotes British talent with an annual “Brit Jazz” Festival – this year featuring breakthrough UK acts such as Matthew Herbert, Matt Halsall & Kairos 4Tet.