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Blue Note to bring world-famous jazz club to London
The Blue Note, New York's world-famous jazz club, is opening its first UK venue in London's Covent Garden next month, marking a significant expansion for the brand beyond its existing sites in the US, Japan, China, Brazil and Italy. The launch matters as a boost to London's live music scene, with organisers positioning the venue as a new home for jazz and related genres, blending established international names with emerging British talent.
The club, in the basement of the St Martins Lane hotel, will open on 23 September with a headline show from Grammy-winning US pianist Robert Glasper, timed to mark the centenary of saxophonist John Coltrane. It will feature a 250-capacity main room open until 1am on weeknights and midnight on Sundays, plus a smaller 100-capacity room called B-Side for new talent, opening later this year. Tickets go on general sale on 14 August, with a line-up including Erykah Badu, Jamie Cullum, Nubya Garcia, Yussef Dayes, Kokoroko and Hak Baker, alongside occasional surprise performances.
In short
- Blue Note jazz club opens first UK venue in Covent Garden, London
- Robert Glasper headlines the 23 September opening night
- Tickets go on sale 14 August; Erykah Badu, Jamie Cullum among performers
Explained simply
Blue Note began as a jazz club in New York and has grown into an international live music brand, with venues in several countries. Its clubs present jazz alongside related styles, featuring both established performers and newer artists.
London has a long-established live music scene, and the new Covent Garden venue is intended to add another space for performances. It will have a main room and a smaller stage for emerging talent, giving audiences and musicians a dedicated place to hear and develop jazz and related music.