Ronnie Scott's Comes to Yorkshire in July

July might feel like a while away but it's always good to be organised! The Great Yorkshire Fringe runs from 15th to the 31st July and has a programme full of comedy, theatre, music, cabaret and family friendly events. With the jazz scene in York growing stronger by the day it seems only right that the York Fringe music offerings feature jazz quite heavily.

There will be three performances by the Ronnie's All Stars during the festival - July 17th, 24th and 31st. Two of these performances will combine elements from theatre and jazz, incorporating narration, archive footage and live music to the story of Ronnie Scott's as well as the delve into the year 1959, a pivotal year in the music's history.

Tickets for these three gigs (all priced £24 per ticket) and all other events can be booked on the Great Yorkshire Fringe website.

Gig Preview: Mingus Big Band in Leeds, January 23rd 2016

Howard Assembly Room in Leeds is starting 2016 with a bang with an exclusive performance by the Mingus Big Band ahead of its 12 show residency at Ronnie Scotts.

The band, led by the bassist's widow Sue Mingus, has a huge international reputation with performance schedules that span Europe and the US, 10 albums and 7 Grammy nominations. The personnel has read like a who's who in jazz over the years with people like Randy Brecker, Seamus Blake, Dave Kikoski, Conrad Herwig and Jeff 'Tain' Watts occupying chairs.

the band...has a huge repertoire, ferocious wildness mixed with pin point precision and ultimate lyricism.

This is a gig that's sure to sell out so audiences are advised to book early through the Opera North website. Find out more about the band on their website.

Line-up:

Trumpets: Tatum Greenblatt, Philip Harper, Alex Norris 
Saxophones: Abraham Burton, Wayne Escoffery, Mark Gross, Brandon Wright & Ronnie Cuber
Trombones: Chris Bates, Luis Bonilla, Earl McIntrye
Drums: Donald Edwards
Bass: Boris Kozlov 
Piano: Theo Hill

Instrument Amnesty at Ronnie Scott's

In partnership with Sistema England and Music Fund EU, Ronnie Scott's will hold a musical instrument amnesty on July 11th to provide instruments for young musicians in the UK and abroad.

People with old instruments stashed away and never used are invited to make an appointment on July 11th to have their instrument looked at. Instruments will have tracking numbers fitted so that donors can be informed of their final destination.

Sistema was set up by Julian Lloyd Webber, inspired by El Sistema in Venezuela. Their aim is to transform the lives of children, young people and their communities through music making. Sistema will distribute the donated instruments in the UK.

Music Fund EU provides instruments to international conflict zones from their base in Brussels. They support musicians and music schools in areas like Africa, The Middle East and Central America. Music Fund EU will distribute donated instruments internationally.

For full information, see the Ronnie Scott's website.