Exceptional jazz at the Royal Albert Hall returns for an exciting Autumn Season
3 September, 2012
August, 2012
LATE NIGHT JAZZ RETURNS FOR ANOTHER SEASON
In the autumn of 2012, the Royal Albert Hall once again opens its doors to another Late Night Jazz series. Following the continued success of the format, the exciting new series features a wide range of award-winning and critically acclaimed jazz artists in the relaxed and intimate setting of the Elgar Room, offering the perfect autumn night out for both devoted and new fans of jazz.
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 The only one of its kind in the UK, this piano was originally made for and played by Sir Elton John but has also been used on ITV’s The X Factor.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:
Django Reindhardt meets Hubert Rostaing as the Baker Boys kick the Autumn 2012 series off to a flying start on Thursday 27 September. Giacomo Smith leads an international line-up of swinging, hot jazz musicians that will take you away to the riverboats of New Orleans and the Place des Abbesses in Paris.
Star of the BBC’s hugely popular Over the Rainbow series and recently Dorothy in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s production of The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium, Sophie Evans performs a solo concert in the Hall’s Elgar Room on Thursday 4 October.
With phrasing and tone often compared to Frank Sinatra, it is no surprise that Shane Hampsheir is in increasing demand. Widely regarded as one of the country’s top swing singers, he joins the stellar line up on Thursday 25 October.
Benoit Viellefon & His Orchestra are one of the most successful ensembles at work on the vintage swing scene in Europe today. Revel in the nostalgia and elegance of a by-gone era as they take to the stage on Thursday 1 November with a repertoire of beautiful music from swing and Charleston to Latin and Chanson Française.
On Tuesday 13 November, folk musician Ayanna, with her beguiling vocals and honey-sweet cello, is joined by acclaimed jazz-folk songstress Gwyneth Herbert. This concert will form part of the London Jazz Festival in association with BBC Radio 3.
Next comes talented singer-songwriter Natalie Duncan whose voice is richly resonant with soul and the blues. Natalie has worked with the likes of drum’n’bass star Goldie and dubstep act Magnetic Man and performs at the Hall as part of the London Jazz Festival in association with BBC Radio 3 on Wednesday 14 November.
Atila has established himself as one of Britain’s most exciting jazz vocal talents. A strong, confident performer, her returns to Late Night Jazz with material from his new EP on Thursday 22 November.
Concluding this fantastic season of Late Night Jazz on Friday 14 December, charismatic singer Alexander Stewart and his excellent band will fill the Elgar Room with contemporary songs, jazz standards and original tunes.
Tickets are on sale now and are £12. They are £15 on 13,14 November and 14 December. 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
Thursday 27 September – Baker Boys
Thursday 4 October – Sophie Evans
Thursday 25 October – Shane Hampsheir
Thursday 1 November – Benoit Viellefon and His Orchestra
Tuesday 13 November – Ayanna & Gwyneth Herbert
Wednesday 14 November – Natalie Duncan
Thursday 22 November - Atila
Friday 14 December – Alexander Stewart
www.royalalberthall.com
Listings Information:
Venue: Elgar Room, Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AP
Dates: 27 September, 4 & 25 October, 1, 13, 14 &22 November, 14 December
Times: Music from 9.45pm. Doors at 9pm
Tickets: £12/£15 on 13,14 Nov and 14 Dec
Contact: www.royalalberthall.com or 020 7959 8218
For more information please contact:
Sean Carrigan – seanc@royalalberthall.com or 020 7959 0531
Julia Holder – juliah@royalalberthall.com or 0207 959 0512
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 370 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.