The new year has barely begun and yet Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club is set to get 2014 off to a flying start with several strong bookings ahead of some more mouth-watering prospects in the next six months. Early January highlights include Italian soul-jazz vocal star Mario Biondi (6-11 Jan), leading US post/hard-bop saxophonist Wayne Escoffery and his Quintet for two nights (13-14 Jan), closely followed by revered Cuban pianist Hilario Durán (15 Jan) and super-charged jazz-funk band Lettuce (16-18 Jan) who feature Soulive keyboardist Neal Evans and guitarist Eric Krasno.
Fiery Russian-born London-based alto saxophonist Zhenya Strigalev leads a stunning multi-talented line up of his fusion-edged Smiling Organizm band that are set to appear for one night only at the club (20 Jan – followed by Band on the Wall, Manchester on 28 Jan). The band now includes Blue Note signed trumpet star Ambrose Akinmusire, highly regarded Brad Mehldau Trio bassist Larry Grendier, former Joe Zawinul Syndicate bass guitarist Linley Marthe, rising star US pianist Taylor Eigsti, top UK pianist Liam Noble and explosive Dave Holland/Charles Lloyd drummer Eric Harland.
Highlights among the February bookings include six-nights from iconic drummer Billy Cobham (3-8 Feb) with his Spectrum 40 band who aptly mark the 40th anniversary of his totemic album of the same name, with a new line-up that includes guitarist Dean Brown and Gary Husband on keyboards. Israeli bass heavyweight Avishai Cohen follows with a fired-up four-night stay with his Trio (10-13 Feb), while jazz vocal superstar Al Jarreau appears for three nights (16, 18 and 19 Feb) in a special celebration of the 30th anniversary of his platinum-selling 1983 solo album, Jarreau.
Other stellar bookings also include the Trilok Gurtu New Band (24-26 Mar); Headhunters featuring Bill Summers, Mike Clark, Donald Harrison and Reggie Washington (4-5 Apr); the five-night Loose Tubes 30th Anniversary Reunion residency (5-10 May); Kenny Barron Trio (15-17 May); Terence Blanchard (23-24 May) and Cécile McLorin Salvant (27-28 May). And to top that lot off guitar legend George Benson (pictured above) has been confirmed for one night on 18 June, and will play two shows at 7.30 and 10.30pm.
– Mike Flynn
For more info go to www.ronniescotts.co.uk
