Upstairs at Ronnie's to host the first ever regular weekly classical night at Ronnie Scott's curated by Lizzie Ball & James Pearson

James Pearson & Lizzie Ball
(Photo: Monika C Jakubowska)

Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club has announced that from February next year it is reopening the first floor of the club (which closed in 2024) with a newly reimagined venue. Upstairs at Ronnie's will host the club’s first-ever regular weekly classical night, taking place every Monday with an early and late showing, as part of a packed schedule of programming including soul, R&B, gospel, hip-hop, global music and jazz.

The Monday evening classical nights will be curated by violinist, vocalist and producer, Lizzie Ball, whose Classical Kicks project featured at Ronnie Scott's from 2012 to 2019, and Ronnie Scott’s artistic director and pianist, James Pearson.

The classical programming will feature the Ronnie Scott’s Classical All Stars, a seven-piece ensemble directed by pianist James Pearson with musicians including Lizzie Ball and Shlomy Dobrinsky (violin); Megan Cassidy (viola); Gabriella Swallow (cello); Jon Shenoy (clarinet/flute/saxophone); Callum Au (trombone/horn) and James Turner (percussion). Together they will reimagine orchestral and symphonic favourites and iconic repertoire for a chamber-sized ensemble. Also featured will be Lizzie Ball's Classical Kicks with collaborators including cellist Gabriella Swallow, accordionist Miloš Milivojević, and percussionist James Turner, alongside special guests, performing music from Piazzolla, Bartók, Gershwin, and more.

Special events will include Her Ensemble, the UK’s first women and non-binary orchestra, directed by Ellie Consta, with cellist Laura van der Heijden and pianist Junyan Chen, in a programme celebrating female composers for International Women’s Day month. Other guests include the launching of a residency from Chineke! and violinist Elena Urioste and pianist Tom Poster's #UriPosteJukeBox blending classical repertoire, plus the Kings Singers.

Close Up Classical will offer audiences intimate evenings of music and conversation with leading actors, musicians, and cultural figures, including actress Juliet Stevenson and film composer David Arnold.

Full details from Ronnie Scott's website.