There are an abundance of thriving London Jazz Clubs in the swinging city for cool jazz cats. From traditional big band style swing to punk, acid and hip hop jazz there are clubs, cafes and bars that recreate the distinctive styles and eras of jazz. Drawing international legends and future stars, London Jazz Clubs range from sensational, glamorous late night venues to back alley locations. During the annual London Jazz Festival there are 10 days of free jazz concerts held at various London venues renging from the Queen Elizabeth Hall and the Barbican foyers to performances on street corners.
The earliest style of jazz music was developed in New Orleans and commonly known as Dixieland. Combining brass band, ragtime, blues and French Quadrilles, Louis Armstrong was most notably identified with Dixieland jazz. The 100 club was established among the best London Jazz Clubs over 50 years ago and is well known for hosting traditional and contemporary jazz. The club has a distinct retro feel and is still going strong today, often playing big name, low key gigs demand is so high the club is booked up months in advance.
In 1934, Belgium jazz musician Django Reinhardt popularised Gypsy Jazz, a mixture of 1930’s American swing, Eastern European Folk and French dancehall music. Contemporary Gypsy jazz is still thriving today and high calibre musicians perform regularly at London Jazz Clubs. Le QuecumBar is decorated in a 1920’s Parisian style and is located just across the Thames from Chelsea, giving it a true bohemian feel. The menu is typically French and bands play Reinhardt’s Hot Club Gypsy Jazz which brought jazz violinist Stefan Grappelli fame as well as showcasing new talent from around the world.
Bebop ruled the 1940’s. It was classed as more of an art form than swing, having much faster tempos it was meant to be listened to not danced to. To the critics, Bepop was filled with ‘nervous phrases’ and by the end of the decade it was replaced with cool jazz, favouring longer melodies. Cool jazz dominated jazz in the 1950’s and still remains a popular style. The Jazz Café, in the heart of Camden, has a varied style of jazz bands performing live 7 nights a week making it an excellent choice for a night of jazz at great London Jazz Clubs.
Jazzcore and punk jazz increased thrash and death metal in the 1990’s leading to a new generation of jazz appreciation. Pop groups now mix dub reggae and free jazz which appeals to a wide group of listeners of all ages. The Pigalle Club in Piccadily is an incredible subterranean 1940s style jazz haunt that plays live music acts 7 nights a week. Music styles range from Bebop to Acid Jazz depending on which night you go. This club is so authentic it is like stepping back in time and has an upstairs mezzanine overlooking the stage making for an unforgetable night out at the grooviest of London Jazz Clubs.