*”Upstairs at Ronnie’s”-Frith St Soho-W1 – and the “Art Themen Trio”-(2026)

In line with the London Shoes doctrine of seeking out lesser known London landmarks – I enjoyed a really good night out last week, when I visited a relatively new London music venue – which ironically, sits on top of a very famous, London music venue.

So – this is a London Shoes blog about the “UPSTAIRS at RONNIE’s” venue – that is situated directly above the globally famous “RONNIE SCOTT’s JAZZ CLUB” in Frith Street Soho London W1

 “Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club” is without doubt London, Britain and Europe’s most famous ‘live’ music venue, particularly in terms of jazz music.

This legendary club has been located in Frith Street in London’s Soho district since 1965 when jazz saxophonist, Londoner ‘Ronnie Scott’ relocated his 1959 opened jazz club from nearby Gerrard Street – to a new venue in Frith Street – where it still stands today.

For decades now Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club has attracted musicians from all over the world – all the jazz greats of the past 70yrs have played Ronnie Scott’s – a list of the best of the besat that includes artists such as Ella Fitzgerald / Miles Davis / Nina Simone / Sonny Rawlings / Stan Getz / Dexter Gordon / Art Blakey / Chet Baker, to name just a few. Even non-jazz icons like Jimi Hendrix and Prince have trodden-the-boards of the Ronnie Scott’s stage.

To this day – Ronnie Scott’s continues to attract visitors from all over the globe – it is an extremely popular London landmark.

At the beginning of this year (2026) the Club made some massive changes and opened an alternative “Upstairs at Ronnie’s” venue in a room above the main club venue on the ground floor.

For decades, the space on the 1st floor directly above the main club area, was used as a rehearsal room where the acts/performers playing on the main stage downstairs could warm up/practice their stuff and jam with other muso’s.

Following 2 years of renovations/redevelopments, it has now been converted into a 140 seater venue in its own right……. “Upstairs at Ronnie’s”, which officially opened in Feb 2026.

Upstairs at Ronnie’s hosts all genres of ‘live’ music including soul/gospel/hip-hop/musical theatre/classical……as well as (obviously) jazz.

So – last week, my London Shoes had the opportunity to check this new venue, when I was fortunate enough to get tickets to see the legendary British saxophonist “Art Themen” perform there.

Art Themen (b.1939) is a renowned British jazz saxophonist who has enjoyed to a 60yr+ career on the UK jazz scene.

In the early 1960’s he was a pivotal member of the late great Alexis Corner’s influential Blues Incorporated band – regularly recording and touring the clubs with him.

In the mid 60’s he played in Long John Baldry’s Hoochie Coochie Men band, that featured a young Rod Stewart – before he became mega star.

In the late 60’s early 70’s Art Themen worked with ex Cream bassist ‘Jack Bruce’ and featured on his 1969 released ‘Songs for a Tailor’ album.

He played as a session musician on Joe Cocker’s 1969 hit album ‘With a little help from my Friends’.

Throughout his 60+ year career in music, Art Themen has played with all the legendary jazz greats, a list that includes the likes of Bing Crosby and Stan Tracey.

Even now in his mid 80’s – Art Themen still plays extensively on the ‘live’ jazz circuit, and there is always a great demand for tickets wherever he plays………as was the case at the “Upstairs at Ronnie’s” gig I attended.

Accompanying Art on the Upstairs at Ronnie’s stage for this event were 2 renowned musicians from the London (& UK)  jazz scene – organ/keyboard player ‘Peter Whittaker’ and on drums, my good friend and ex drum tutor from the 1990’s, the amazing ‘tub-thumper’…. ‘George Double’.

The trio played 2 sets the evening my London Shoes went to Ronnie’s – one at 6:30pm  and the other at 9pm. My Shoes’ attended the earlier performance where they played knocked out a brilliant set of quality jazz ‘club style’ favourites – with Art delivering an entertaining commentary between numbers, recalling his amazing career on the ‘live’ music scene.

Wasn’t allow to take photos during the performance, but I did snap a couple in during trio’s closing number.

Anyway, my London Shoes really enjoyed the “Upstairs at Ronnie’s” experience – and the music and venue vibe that went with it – and will most defintely visit again for another good old night out