It’s so exciting and heartwarming to gather again in intimate spaces, celebrating jazz and discovering amazing talent. I couldn’t help but think back to how difficult the pandemic was, missing moments like this. Soho’s Jazz Week is always a vibrant, unforgettable experience and the perfect way to explore incredible venues. I’ll share a few reasons why you can’t miss out on Soho Live Jazz Week, and why supporting the jazz scene is so important until the next edition!
Today, DOYOUSPEAKLONDON brings you an unmissable annual event for jazz lovers and musicians, proudly organised by the iconic Soho Live Jazz Club!
Soho Live Jazz Week
This year marked the 6th edition of this Soho Jazz festival, produced by the passionate Nathan Britton & George Hudson.
At the heart of this project are “a collection of venues and artists championing live entertainment and collaboration within Soho’s diverse melting pot of characters, art and history”.
This video (above) offers just a glimpse of what to expect from this incredible week: fantastic venues (including comfy benches in this case!), talented musicians, a lively atmosphere, and outstanding performances over three days in September. It’s a must-attend event for any jazz lover!
I’m always deeply moved by the warmth and energy that live concerts bring. Music really is a powerful force, isn’t it?
Soho Live Music Club
The last few years have put all jazz venues at stake, inciting some places in Soho* to face these challenges and support live music together: the new Soho Live Music Club was created “to provide new stages and performance opportunities for artists” and give jazz lovers the possibility to encourage them.
By attending great live performances we are not only enjoying a moment, but we are also providing active support to Soho’s creative music legacy.
*The 2022 Live Music supporters in Soho:
1. The Piano Bar (one of my favourite Jazz venues in London)
2. Gerry’s Club
3. Jack Solomons
4. Balans No.60
5. House of St. Barnabas
6. Martinez
7. Karma Sanctum
8. The Blue Posts
9. 21 Soho
10. The Boulevard
The idea to create the Soho Live Jazz Week is of course motivated by the desire to promote different places dedicated to jazz in Soho. Last week I heard of new venues I am now very curious to discover.
I warmly invite you to look online for upcoming events in these venues and make the most of the Jazz scene in Soho!
Karma Sanctum Soho Hotel
This is one of the different venues where live jazz takes place during the Soho Live Jazz Week. We headed there full of excitement as we were about to discover a renowned Jazz singer…
It was my first time visiting this place, and I hadn’t even noticed it before! The ground floor features a stylish bar, with fantastic interior decor that showcases portraits of celebrities. The comfy seating adds a relaxed vibe, making it the perfect spot to unwind.
Unfortunately, the drink selection was a bit limited the night we visited (though my husband went for an Iron Maiden-inspired beer, which was a fun choice!). The prices were a little higher than expected, but it didn’t take away from the overall experience.
However, we really enjoyed the downstairs room, where we had the pleasure of experiencing our first live jazz performance with the incredible Big Mama!
Big Mama (Aydenne Simone)
She’s truly a one-of-a-kind character! Brimming with joy, she embodies the spirit of jazz and effortlessly makes us feel every emotion she pours into her performance.
I was genuinely amazed to witness how, despite struggling a bit with the stairs before her performance (I hope she doesn’t mind me mentioning it – it’s all said with the utmost admiration), as soon as she heard the first notes, she became a force of nature. It was as if the music – jazz, of course – empowered her to overcome any physical challenge. Big Mama is an unstoppable ball of energy when she hits the stage!
If you’re lucky enough to see Big Mama perform, you’ll not only be captivated by her incredible energy and powerful voice, but also by how she effortlessly connects with the audience. Her sense of humour and witty repartee make everyone feel at home, united by a shared love for jazz.
Another standout quality of Big Mama is her deep respect for the musicians she performs with. Despite them possibly not knowing each other well, she took the time to acknowledge their talent, creating an incredible atmosphere. Her considerate attitude was truly touching.
Now you have two options: wait for next September’s Soho Live Jazz Week, or start exploring each venue now, creating unforgettable memories while supporting talented musicians in pursuing their passion. (Personally, I’m not patient enough to wait!)
A huge thank you to Soho Live Jazz Week for the kind invitation – I had an absolute blast! Looking forward to the next edition already! 😊
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I hope you’ve enjoyed this post and found inspiration here. If you are about to book a live concert from one of the venues mentioned in this post soon, please share your experience and opinion on DOYOUSPEAKLONDON’s blog!
To go further:
Follow and support
Soho Live Music Club: @soholivemusicclub
Soho Live Jazz Week website
Follow and support these artists:
Big Mama: @Aydennesimone
Tom Dring (Bass): @Tomdring94
Matt Jacobs (Piano) @_m.jacobs_
Karma Sanctum Soho London: 20 Warwick St, W1B 5NF
Karma Sanctum Soho London website
Looks like an amazing evening!
@Katherine It was indeed 🙂 I highly recommend you to discover one of the venues I mentioned here, you won’t be disappointed.
Lovely, cette gaité est communicative ! Et fait du bien
@christine Glad you liked it!