London's iconic Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club is to open Upstairs at Ronnie’s in February 2026. Following the closure of its upstairs space in 2024, the area has been transformed into a purpose-built, 140-capacity music venue, complete with upgraded stage and enhanced acoustics.
The launch of Upstairs at Ronnie’s includes the club’s first-ever regular weekly classical night, taking place every Monday with early and late sessions (6.30pm and 9.30pm).
Classical music at Ronnie Scott's
Curated jointly by violinist, vocalist and producer Lizzie Ball and Ronnie Scott’s artistic director and pianist James Pearson, the classical series will feature the Ronnie Scott’s Classical All Stars – a seven-piece ensemble directed by Pearson and including Ball, Shlomy Dobrinsky (violin), Megan Cassidy (viola), Gabriella Swallow (cello), Jon Shenoy (clarinet/flute/saxophone), Callum Au (trombone/horn) and James Turner (percussion).
The ensemble will 'reimagine orchestral and symphonic favourites for a chamber-sized ensemble'. Included during their first season will be Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 2, Vaughan Williams’s The Lark Ascending, Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik and scores from Hollywood’s Golden Age.
The new classical series will also feature Ball's 'Classical Kicks', showcasing music by Piazzolla, Bartók and Gershwin, and 'Close Up Classical' – evenings of music and conversation with actors, musicians and cultural figures, including actress Juliet Stevenson (23 February), film composer David Arnold (9 March) and author Harriet Constable (23 March). Plus, there will be appearances from Chineke! (6 April), violinist Elena Urioste and pianist Tom Poster (20 April), and The King’s Singers (27 April).
Ronnie Scott's Lizzie Ball and James Pearson comment:
'Our vision is to create a classical series that feels as alive and accessible as Ronnie’s itself. We want to showcase the very best chamber and solo music, reimagine orchestral favourites for an intimate setting, and collaborate with leading artists across genres.
'Bringing classical music into a venue best known for jazz opens it up to new audiences, and the energy of a jazz club combined with classical performance is something truly unique. Ronnie’s has always been about world-class music, and the club has deep classical connections, from John Williams and Nigel Kennedy to Hendrix’s last gig, so classical is a natural fit here.
'We hope Ronnie would be proud of this new venture, which is very much in the spirit of the club: you never know who you’ll see.'
For full details visit: ronniescotts.co.uk
