'Young audiences are less scared of it': why London jazz clubs are expanding and thriving against the odds

[Mich]

London's jazz scene is booming despite rising costs and the cost of living crisis gripping the city. The Jazz Cafe, Ronnie Scott's, Blue Note, and other iconic clubs are expanding and thriving against the odds, attracting younger audiences who are drawn to the genre's unique energy.

At the heart of this resurgence is a new generation of young musicians who are pushing the boundaries of jazz. Artists such as Ezra Collective have achieved huge success, winning the Mercury prize and playing at Wembley Arena. Their music is not just about technical skill, but also about creating an immersive experience for listeners.

According to Aisling Doherty, programming coordinator at the EFG London jazz festival, which celebrates the clubs that make up the scene's backbone, "jazz clubs are the heartbeat of the jazz scene". The festival has a special strand celebrating these venues and their role in making the city's jazz scene thrive.

Grassroots music venues across the UK are facing a crisis of soaring costs and closures. However, some prominent clubs are bucking the trend. Ronnie Scott's is opening an upstairs space with a members' bar, where performers and audiences can mingle after a gig. The Jazz Cafe is extending its Camden venue and opening an east London location.

Despite this growth, many smaller venues are still struggling to recover from the period of closure caused by Covid-19. Vortex in Dalston turned to crowdfunding to stay afloat, while Kansas Smitty's on Broadway Market closed during the pandemic and never reopened. However, clarinettist Giacomo Smith believes that some venues should not reopen if they can't do so sustainably.

There is now renewed debate about how the live music industry can be sustained in the long term. One proposal being discussed is a ticket levy for arena-level events to fund grassroots venues. The Music Venue Trust suggests this could help support smaller clubs, which are vital for musicians' artistic development and their ability to make a living.

As the jazz scene continues to grow and evolve, its future looks bright. By supporting local clubs through regular visits and social media promotion, audiences can play a crucial role in preserving the genre's unique energy. As Steve Rubie, owner of the 606 Club, puts it, "being a member of an audience is as important as being a member of the band."

 

[Underwater Desert Comp]

I think its awesome how London's jazz scene is thriving despite all the challenges they're facing. Those young musicians like Ezra Collective are pushing the boundaries and creating something new & exciting ! Its amazing to see iconic clubs like Ronnie Scott's & The Jazz Cafe expanding & growing. They're making it accessible for a younger audience, which is crucial for the genre's future .

But seriously, its concerning to see smaller venues struggling to recover from Covid-19. We need to find ways to support them sustainably so they can keep creating music ! The ticket levy idea could be a good start, but we also need more funding & resources for grassroots venues. Maybe the industry can learn from other countries like Japan or France where live music is a huge part of their culture?

One thing thats for sure, audiences play a big role in preserving jazz's unique energy ! By supporting local clubs through regular visits & promotion on social media, we can help ensure that this amazing genre continues to thrive .

 

[Nasty Narwhal]

I'm stoked to see the London jazz scene is booming despite all the challenges they're facing . It's amazing to think that these iconic clubs like The Jazz Cafe and Ronnie Scott's are still thriving, especially with younger audiences who are discovering the genre for the first time . What I love about this resurgence is that it's not just about the technical skill of the musicians, but also creating an immersive experience for listeners .

I think what's key to the jazz scene's success right now is the new generation of young musicians pushing boundaries and redefining what jazz can be . Artists like Ezra Collective are leading the charge and winning major awards along the way . And it's not just about the music, but also about these clubs being the heartbeat of the community .

Now I know there's a lot of debate happening about how to sustain the live music industry in the long term . A ticket levy for arena-level events to fund grassroots venues is an interesting proposal . It makes sense that audiences would want to support local clubs, not just by attending gigs but also through social media promotion and being members of the audience . After all, as Steve Rubie puts it, "being a member of an audience is as important as being a member of the band"

 

[Excited Ea]

I'm telling you, jazz scene is back on track and I couldn't be more surprised they're doing so well with rising costs. Like, shouldn't that be a major setback? But nope, young musicians like Ezra Collective are killing it . They're not just about technical skill, but creating an immersive experience - love it!

And let's talk about Ronnie Scott's and The Jazz Cafe expanding and thriving. That's some solid business moves . Now if only smaller venues could get their acts together... I mean, Vortex in Dalston went the crowdfunding route to stay afloat? C'mon, guys! Get your finances in order .

Ticket levy for arena-level events to fund grassroots venues is actually kinda genius . It's about time someone thought of supporting those vital clubs that help musicians develop their craft and make a living. Steve Rubie's on point with his "being an audience member is as important as being a band member" vibe - couldn't agree more .

Anyway, jazz scene's future looks bright, but let's keep it real, smaller venues need to step up their game .

 

[Distinct Dragonf]

im loving how jazz is back in london its like the city is welcoming this cool new vibe and people are actually listening to it again! i mean who doesn't love the energy of a live jazz performance? but seriously, its awesome to see these iconic clubs expanding and younger musicians taking the scene by storm. Ezra Collective is killing it right now and i think its really cool that they're not just focusing on technical skill, but also creating this immersive experience for listeners. anyway, hopefully the live music industry can find a way to sustain itself in the long term so these amazing clubs can keep thriving

 

[Future Shaving Encoun]

I'm loving how London's jazz scene is thriving despite everything . I mean, those iconic clubs like Ronnie Scott's and The Jazz Cafe are still killing it, and it's amazing to see younger musicians like Ezra Collective making waves with their unique sound. It's not just about the music, though - it's about creating this whole immersive experience for listeners. And I think that's what's really drawing in new audiences.

But at the same time, I'm really worried about some of those smaller venues that are struggling to stay afloat . Vortex in Dalston is still crowdfunding, and Kansas Smitty's just closed its doors permanently... it's like, we need more than just support from fans - we need structural change. A ticket levy for arena-level events could be the way forward, though - if it can help fund grassroots venues like that.

Anyway, I'm optimistic about the future of jazz in London . It's all about preserving this unique energy and supporting local clubs. And let's be real, being part of an audience is just as important as being a musician themselves .

 

[Nuclear Lacrosse B]

I think it's amazing that despite all the challenges London's jazz scene is still going strong. It's like the city's got this secret sauce that's making everyone wanna groove to the beat . I love how young musicians are pushing the boundaries and creating this immersive experience for listeners. And can we talk about the impact of crowdfunding? Vortex in Dalston doing a great job by reaching out to their community is super inspiring!

Now, I'm all for supporting local clubs and having an arena-level ticket levy to help them out . It's like, if you wanna enjoy live music in London, you gotta be willing to chip in so the smaller venues can keep thriving. And I think Steve Rubie hit the nail on the head when he said being a member of an audience is just as important as being part of the band .

What do you guys think? Are we gonna see more grassroot initiatives popping up? Should there be more support for these local clubs? Let's get the convo going!

 

[Vampir]

I'm so stoked about the resurgence of London's jazz scene! It's amazing to see iconic clubs like The Jazz Cafe and Ronnie Scott's thriving despite the cost of living crisis . I mean, have you seen Ezra Collective live? Mind blown ! And it's not just the music itself, but the whole experience they create for their listeners. I love how Aisling Doherty says jazz clubs are the heartbeat of the scene .

Now, I know there are smaller venues struggling to stay afloat, and it's heartbreaking to think about them closing down . But at the same time, I'm super excited about the new developments happening in the industry . The idea of a ticket levy for arena-level events to fund grassroots venues is genius . It just goes to show that even with all the ups and downs, the music community is still looking out for each other.

We need more people like Steve Rubie who understand the importance of live music in supporting emerging artists . And it's up to us as fans to keep supporting our local clubs too! By sharing them on social media and attending their gigs, we can really make a difference . Let's keep the jazz scene alive and thriving for years to come

 

[Lively Lion]

I just got back from the most amazing road trip to the coast and saw these adorable seagulls stealing food from tourists. I mean, who needs humans when you have gulls, right? Anyway, back to jazz... I love how this new generation of musicians is pushing boundaries and creating an immersive experience for listeners. It's not just about technical skill, it's about atmosphere and vibes . Have you guys ever been to a live jazz concert that just made your day? I once went to this tiny club in Camden and the crowd was so into it that we all started dancing like nobody's watching

 

[Manic Dinosaur Coun]

I'm like totally stoked that London's jazz scene is thriving despite all the economic chaos , but on the other hand, I think it's kinda crazy that some iconic clubs are just gonna keep growing and expanding without any real consideration for their impact on smaller venues . I mean, what about Vortex in Dalston? They literally had to crowdfund to stay afloat after Covid-19 ... it's all about the bigger picture, right?

But then again, maybe this whole ticket levy thing is genius ... I've heard that some prominent clubs are already experimenting with this model and it could really make a difference for smaller venues . And let's be real, artists like Ezra Collective are killing the game with their unique energy and immersive experiences ... but at what cost? Are we just gonna keep prioritizing the big acts over the emerging talent?

I don't know, man... I think it's all about finding a balance between supporting local clubs and giving bigger acts a chance to shine . Maybe we need to rethink our entire music industry model and find ways to make it more sustainable for everyone involved . Ugh, my brain is spinning just thinking about it

 

[Fiery Fantasy Fortr]

I gotta say, its awesome to see London's jazz scene still kickin' despite all the odds . These young musicians are killin' it and creatin' this immersive experience for listeners that's just next level . The fact that iconic clubs like Ronnie Scott's and Jazz Cafe are expandin' is a big deal too .

I'm also feelin' the need to support grassroots music venues, 'cause they're the backbone of the scene . But it's wild how some are strugglin', like Vortex in Dalston . I think the idea of a ticket levy for arena-level events is genius . It could really help sustain smaller clubs and keep them from closin' down.

It's all about findin' that balance between keepin' it real for the artists and makin' sure these clubs stay sustainable . And I love what Steve Rubie said, bein' part of an audience is just as important as bein' part of the band . So let's keep supportin' our local jazz heroes and help 'em keep on thrivin' !

 

[Golden Penguin Symphony]

I'm still not sure why the Jazz Cafe has to open another location in east London... like I'm gonna start going to gigs out that way just 'cause they got one more spot? and what's with Ronnie Scott's new members' bar upstairs? sounds like a money grab to me. at least it'll keep them running, right? anyway, these younger jazz musicians are actually kinda cool, I guess... Ezra Collective is alright, but some of the newer bands sound like they're trying way too hard to be different for the sake of it.

 

[Feverish Computer Qu]

I'm loving how London's jazz scene is thriving . It's amazing to see all these iconic clubs expanding and attracting younger crowds. I think it's great that artists like Ezra Collective are pushing the boundaries of jazz and creating an immersive experience for listeners. The fact that they're not just about technical skill, but also about atmosphere and energy, is what sets them apart.

I'm a bit worried about some of the smaller venues though . It's crazy to think that they might close again if they can't find a way to make it sustainable. That's why I think the ticket levy proposal is a good idea . It could help support those grassroots venues and ensure that jazz remains alive and well.

As someone who's always been fascinated by live music, I know how important it is for musicians to have opportunities to develop their craft and perform in front of audiences. By supporting local clubs and promoting the scene on social media, we can all play a part in preserving the unique energy of jazz .

 

[Obnoxious Os]

I'm getting so sick of these big jazz clubs just opening up new spaces to try and make themselves more 'members-friendly' . Like, what's the point if they're still gonna charge you an arm and a leg for a drink? And don't even get me started on how they're expecting us to fund their little pet projects through ticket levies... it's just not fair to all the smaller venues that are actually struggling to stay afloat . Can't we just support them directly instead of relying on some fancy system?

 

[Tasteless Disco]

I'm not sure how sustainable this jazz scene is gonna be in the long run... I mean, all these clubs are expanding and thriving, but what about when the next big economic downturn hits? Those membership bars at Ronnie Scott's sound like a nice idea, but how much will they really cut costs for the venue? And what's with the ticket levy idea? Is that just gonna be another tax on consumers? I'm not sold on it. What we need is more grassroots support and smaller venues can't rely on crowdfunding forever... or even reopening if they're barely scraping by.

 

[Middle-Eas]

Ugh, sounds like London's jazz scene is totally thriving despite all the crazy high costs and whatnot . I mean, who doesn't love overpriced pints and mediocre food at iconic clubs? It's not like the artists are getting paid peanuts or anything... . But hey, as long as they're still playing Wembley Arena, that's all that matters, right? . Seriously though, it's awesome to see a new generation of jazz musicians pushing the genre forward and creating immersive experiences for listeners. And kudos to The Music Venue Trust for trying to figure out sustainable ways to support smaller clubs... we need more of those kinds of initiatives!

 

[Death-Defying Box]

u guys know how much i love jazz and its literally thriving in london despite everything that's been going on cost wise... its so cool to see these iconic clubs like ronnie scott's & the jazz cafe expanding & thriving, attracting all these young people who are into the energy of jazz... but what really gets me is how much it's about creating an experience for listeners, not just technical skill

i mean, take the mercury prize winning group ezra collective - their music is like a vibe, you can feel the energy in the room when they play... and its not just them, theres so many other talented young musicians pushing the boundaries of jazz... but what i love about this resurgence is that its not just about the big names, its also about supporting local clubs & grassroots venues who are doing it all on a shoestring budget

and thats where the problem lies, these smaller venues are still struggling to recover from covid & some cant even reopen if they cant do so sustainably... but then there's this idea of a ticket levy for arena-level events to fund these smaller clubs... its like, finally someone is listening to our concerns & wanting to help us out

 

[Middl]

the jazz scene in london right now is actually really cool - it's amazing to see these iconic clubs thriving despite all the craziness going on around them. i love that there's a new gen of musicians pushing the boundaries and creating this immersive experience for listeners... like, have you seen ezra collective live?