Driven by his passion for jazz and blues music, four years ago, Soho resident, George Hudson founded a live music venue in the heart of central London’s most vibrant community, The Piano Bar Soho. While the neighbourhood was already the national nucleus of jazz music, the intimate venue held its own, against some of long-standing behemoths and world-famous classics.
A year later with two producers, George founded Soho.Live, with a venue expansion that now accommodates a label and recording studio, which is aimed at developing ‘jazzers’, and nurturing talent in this musical genre.
As the organisation enters its fourth year, George is delighted to take that love of music even further. “Nearly 100 years after the first movement, we’re entering a New Jazz Age”, Hudson smiles. As a token of his belief in the power of jazz and blues, Hudson announces Soho.Live Jazz Week, which will take place from 14 – 17 September and will see the legendary jazz clubs of Soho come together, showcasing more than 250 artists, across 45 ticketed shows, in over 15 venues.
Having created a vibrant and thriving musical ecosystem in the village, George and his team are heralding the dawn of this new age. Soho.Live Jazz Week will be a window inside these exciting times for the genre and its audiences. Speaking about his motivation for spearheading the event, George says: “From smoky bars in the US to clubs in the Weimar republic, jazz has been popular across the world, but I think it’s now thriving again and having a renaissance.” Although jazz is as ageless as it is timeless, jazz musicians, explains George, are getting younger.
Soho.Live’s array of artists include the talented and soulful Bluey Robinson, who fronts The Fedz, the genre-bending Ashley Henry, whose brew of influences include jazz, grime, hip hop and punk, the winning ensemble that comprises members of Kansas Smitty’s House Band plus jazz and soul songstress, Cherise Adams-Burnett. Hailing from the international music scene, multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer, Mo Pleasure, who has performed with the likes of Ray Charles, Janet Jackson, Mary J Blige, Chaka Khan and more – as well as a host of British and international talent from around the world.
Soho has long been a crucial spot on the international jazz scene, celebrated for its intimate venues and creating space for innovation from a diverse spectrum of visionary artists. Soho.Live Studios, launches its Jazz Week in this tradition, encouraging experimentation and giving life to live music experiences.
Venues taking part in this year’s Soho.Live Jazz Week include all the famed neighbourhood favourites: The Piano Bar Soho, Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, Spice of Life, 100 Wardour Street, L’Escargot Club, Ain’t Nothing But the Blues, Quo Vadis Members Club, The Court Club, Bills Restaurant Soho, Hotel Cafe Royal, Japes Restaurant, My Place, Yamaha Music London and Soho Theatre.
Soho.Live Jazz Week runs from 12-14 September, full details and tickets to the shows can be purchased here.
