Blue Note jazz club to make UK debut in Covent Garden
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The legendary Blue Note Jazz Club is set to open its first UK venue in London next month, marking a major expansion for the New York-founded brand into one of the world's key music capitals. The Covent Garden club opens on 23 September, chosen to coincide with what would have been John Coltrane's 100th birthday, and aims to replicate the atmosphere of its sister venues in New York, Los Angeles and Milan while showcasing both British and international jazz talent.
The venue on St Martin's Lane will feature a 250-capacity main room hosting two nightly shows, plus a smaller 100-capacity room for emerging artists opening later in the year, alongside a food and cocktail menu. Grammy-winning pianist Robert Glasper will headline the opening nights on 23 and 24 September as creative ambassador before returning for further shows in November, with other confirmed acts including Erykah Badu, Jamie Cullum, Nubya Garcia, Yussef Dayes, KOKOROKO and Hak Baker. Tickets go on sale at 10am BST on Friday 14 August.
- Blue Note Jazz Club opens first UK venue in London on 23 September
- Robert Glasper headlines opening, also serves as creative ambassador
- Tickets for first shows go on sale 14 August
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The Blue Note is one of the best-known names in jazz, founded in New York in 1981 and known for hosting major and emerging artists in an intimate club setting. It already has sister venues in cities including New York, Los Angeles and Milan, and is now opening its first UK location in Covent Garden, London.
The new club is timed to open on 23 September, the date that would have been the 100th birthday of John Coltrane, one of jazz's most influential saxophonists, though he has no direct connection to the venue itself. It will host two rooms of different sizes for headline acts and newer performers, alongside food and drink, and has booked a mix of well-known and rising jazz musicians for its early shows.
The opening is notable because it brings an internationally recognised jazz brand to London for the first time, potentially raising the profile of the city's jazz scene and giving both established and emerging musicians a high-profile new stage to perform on.
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Originally published by NME as “Legendary Blue Note jazz club to open first UK location in London next month with Robert Glasper”.