Key facts
- The world-famous New York jazz club Blue Note is opening its first UK venue in London.
- The club will be located in the basement of the St Martins Lane hotel in Covent Garden.
- Robert Glasper is set to headline the grand opening on September 23.
- The venue will feature two performance spaces: a 250-capacity main room and a 100-capacity room called B-Side.
- Performances will include artists like Erykah Badu, Jamie Cullum, and Nubya Garcia.
The renowned New York jazz institution, Blue Note, is expanding its global presence by opening its first UK venue in London next month. Situated in the basement of the St Martins Lane hotel in Covent Garden, the club aims to showcase a blend of acclaimed international jazz artists and emerging British talent.
Founded in 1981, Blue Note has established a significant legacy, with existing clubs across the US and in Asia and South America. The London establishment will mark its debut in the United Kingdom.
The grand opening on September 23 will feature Grammy-winning US pianist Robert Glasper, coinciding with the centenary of the influential saxophonist John Coltrane. Glasper expressed his excitement about creating a space in London that fosters musical evolution across genres like jazz, R&B, and hip-hop, emphasizing an intimate and fearless environment for artists and audiences.
The venue will comprise two distinct performance areas. The primary space will accommodate 250 patrons and host two shows nightly, operating until 1 a.m. from Monday to Saturday and midnight on Sundays. Tickets for the initial shows will be available to the public starting August 14. A second, smaller room, B-Side, with a 100-person capacity, is slated to open later this year and will focus on supporting emerging British artists.
Tsion Bensusan, co-owner of Blue Note Entertainment Group, highlighted the opening as a major milestone, recognizing London's rich jazz heritage and vibrant creative scene. The group hopes Blue Note London will become a central part of the city's cultural fabric, serving as a community hub for musicians and music lovers alike. The lineup also includes notable artists such as neo-soul singer Erykah Badu, jazz-pop pianist Jamie Cullum, saxophonist Nubya Garcia, drummer Yussef Dayes, afrobeat collective Kokoroko, and rapper Hak Baker. The club plans to host occasional surprise performances by renowned musicians, maintaining the intimate experience characteristic of Blue Note venues worldwide.