Exceptional jazz at the Royal Albert Hall returns for 2012
6 December, 2011
Exceptional jazz at the Royal Albert Hall returns for 2012
6 December, 2011
LATE NIGHT JAZZ RETURNS FOR ANOTHER SEASON
Following its continued success, the Royal Albert Hall will once again open its doors for another Late Night Jazz season at the beginning of 2012. Featuring a wide range of award-winning and critically acclaimed jazz artists in the relaxed and intimate setting of the Elgar Room, this offers the perfect winter night out.
An oasis from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis, the Late Night Jazz series offers a uniquely soulful and friendly atmosphere, set in truly intimate surroundings. With doors opening at 9pm, music commencing at 9.45pm, and featuring cabaret style seating as well as a selection of food and drinks provided by “rhubarb”, this relaxed and enjoyable evening puts the Elgar Room on a par with other London jazz venues. Following in the footsteps of jazz greats such as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Herbie Hancock, Nina Simone and Joni Mitchell who have all played in the main auditorium, another new wave of jazz artists will make their distinct mark as part of the Hall’s signature series, reaching out to a wider audience and welcoming in both devoted and new fans of jazz.
Audiences will again be treated to the tones of the Big Red Yamaha S6 Grand Piano which has been kindly loaned from Markson Pianos. The only one of its kind in the UK, this piano was originally made for and played by Sir Elton John but has also been used on ITV’s The X Factor. This is a fantastic feature for the Elgar Room and has already been used for post show parties.
Late Night Jazz at the Royal Albert Hall’s Elgar Room is the perfect chance to experience a series of exceptional music, sublime style and intimate ambience set in a world-class venue.
Full listings:
Kicking the 2012 series off on Wednesday 1 February are London’s top vintage band, Shirt Tail Stompers, who will perform songs from the 1920s-40s swing jazz era including Sweet Georgia Brown, Lazy River and After You’ve Gone.
Trio Manouche bring a unique and contemporary twist to gypsy swing music on Wednesday 15 February, playing inspired reworkings of classics by Django Reinhardt as well as original material.
The critically acclaimed The Joanna Eden Quartet join the line up on Wednesday 29 February, playing acclaimed originals blended seamlessly with jazz, soul and Latin classics.
Gill Manly, Sarah Moule and Shireen Francis come together as Ladies Sing the Blues on Wednesday 21 March to celebrate their musical icons Billie Holiday, Peggy Lee and Ella Fitzgerald, with personal interpretations of their signature songs.
Concluding this exciting season of Late Night Jazz, we are delighted to welcome The Harry Waters Band on Wednesday 18 April who are unashamedly influenced by 1950s jazz, paying tribute to the music of Bill Evans, Oscar Peterson and Miles Davis.
Tickets are on sale now and are £12. To book, please call 020 7589 8212 or visit www.royalalberthall.com
Late Night Jazz is brought to you in association with Jazz FM - the fastest growing radio station in the UK and the most listened to digital radio station in London which has established itself as the home of all things jazz, soul funk and blues.
www.jazzfm.com
Full dates and line up
Wednesday 1 February – Shirt Tail Stompers
Wednesday 15 February – Trio Manouche
Wednesday 29 February – The Joanna Eden Quartet
Wednesday 21 March – Ladies Sing the Blues
Wednesday 18 April – Harry Waters Band
Listings Information:
Venue: Elgar Room, Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AP
Dates: 1, 15 & 29 February, 21 March and 18 April
Times: Music from 9.45pm. Doors at 9pm
Tickets: £12
Contact: www.royalalberthall.com or 020 7959 8218
For more information please contact:
Sean Carrigan:
seanc@royalalberthall.com or 020 7959 0531
Notes to Editors:
Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is one of the UK’s most treasured and magical buildings, recognisable the world over. It is a registered charity and operates without any public subsidy. Since opening in 1871, the Royal Albert Hall has had an unparalleled history of exceptional performances by the world’s leading artists. Today over 380 events are held in the Hall’s auditorium each year which include performances of jazz, world music, rock and pop, dance, comedy, film premières and award ceremonies. Audiences of well over a million are entertained at the Hall each year and many millions more around the world enjoy the Hall experience through broadcasts, recordings and new media channels.
The Royal Albert Hall co-promotes productions and showcases talented world music and jazz artists through its lively lunchtime music series, ignite in the Café Consort. It has a strong heritage in rock and has hosted a diverse range of legendary artists and bands over the years. It hosted the only gig in history where The Beatles and The Rolling Stones played on the same bill, and has also played host to such luminaries as Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, Oasis, Cream and Dame Shirley Bassey. It also offers tours of this iconic building, a free exhibition series entitled reflect and an extensive education programme for young people.
The Elgar Room
Built to support one of the Hall’s main purposes to promote the advancement of the Arts & Sciences, the West Theatre as this room was originally known, provided space for small theatricals and meetings of a scientific or literary nature. From1906 until 1957 it was the home of the Central School of Speech and Drama where luminaries such as Laurence Olivier, Vanessa Redgrave, Judi Dench, Virginia McKenna and Harold Pinter received their training. In 2009 the room was renovated to provide a state of the art performance space and restaurant. The photographs by David Redfern that adorn the walls are images of some of the iconic performers who have graced the stage at the Royal Albert Hall.