The BBC showed a lovely film about a London music legend – Ronnie Scott’s jazz Club in Soho, London. You can watch the film, here
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000pjcm/ronnies-ronnie-scott-and-his-worldfamous-jazz-club
The film had quite a lot of scene-setting against stock-footage of London by Night and NYC…all very neo-noir. Back in the day, Soho was London’s red-light district and night-time economy…so there were plenty of colourful characters in the background.
It was a bit heartbreaking to watch this film against the current background of pandemic and lockdown. We really don’t know how much of the hospitality and entertainment industry will survive. I’m confident that it will bounce back, but it may take time.
Ronnie Scott modelled his club, founded with his best friend, Peter King, on the NYC clubs in 52nd St…and it has provided a small and intimate venue for jazz legends for over 60 years. Scott’s has its very own old-school neon too…must be one of the last in Soho.
The whole jazz community is an exemplar of the idea of community of practice, where people work together and support each other. The club provided an empathetic and social focus for this activity. The point is that you can’t really do jazz on your own.
The film presents a sort of history of post WW2 jazz…and I learnt about Blind Roland Kirk.
Rahsaan Roland Kirk (August 7, 1935 – 1977 December 5) was an American jazz multi-instrumentalist who played tenor saxophone, flute, and many other instruments. He was renowned for his onstage vitality, during which virtuoso improvisation was accompanied by comic banter, political ranting, and the ability to play several instruments simultaneously.
Ronnie Scott wasn’t just a gifted musician doing music…he became the music. That’s a form of ontological design of self which is just inspirational.
If you are interested in the history of jazz, there are quite a few programmes from the BBC which have been put onto Box of Broadcasts. You can watch them there.
I posted before about music and the railway, here