Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, London, Programme for December 2026.

Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, an iconic venue in London’s Soho district, has revealed its comprehensive schedule of performances through December 2026. The programme blends festive-themed concerts with appearances by some of the UK’s most distinguished jazz, soul, and funk musicians, underlining the club’s continued role as a central hub in the nation’s live music scene.

Kicking off the month on December 1st and running through the 23rd are the club’s festive Lunchtime Christmas Cabaret Lunches. These noon performances, priced between £110 and £120, showcase The Ronnie Scott’s All Stars, the house band, delivering seasonal arrangements paired with interactive elements that engage audiences in holiday-themed games and musical challenges.

The late-night segment of the schedule presents an ongoing series of Late Late Shows, hosted by a rotating roster of prominent artists. Among the announced hosts is trumpeter Mark Kavuma, recognized at the 2025 Jazz FM Awards and the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Awards for his instrumental prowess and ensemble leadership. Kavuma’s December 2nd show exemplifies the club’s commitment to spotlighting emerging figures within London’s jazz milieu.

December 3rd features a dual evening set by Georgia Cécile, a vocalist distinguished by multiple Jazz FM awards. Her Christmas special fuses original compositions with classic holiday repertoire, all imbued with influences from late 1960s jazz, reflecting her chart-topping debut success and notable collaborations including tours with Gregory Porter and performances with the BBC Concert Orchestra.

A tribute to Aretha Franklin emerges on December 4th and 5th in a two-night residency led by Vanessa Haynes. Haynes, a seasoned soul vocalist and longtime member of Incognito, pays homage to Franklin’s enduring legacy through a program that spans six decades of the Queen of Soul’s work. Haynes’ extensive background includes collaborations with luminaries such as Van Morrison and Chaka Khan.

The weekend of December 6th offers a blend of styles with Lance Ellington’s Ellington’s Swinging Christmas during lunchtime, followed by a blues-focused evening with Ronnie Scott’s Blues Explosion. Ellington’s vast session work and appearances on popular television programs underscore his versatility, while the Blues Explosion ensemble, featuring artists linked to Ten Years After and Tom Jones, delivers a repertoire that traverses the spectrum from Delta blues to New Orleans funk.

Mid-month, the club continues its holiday programming with Emma Smith’s Snowbound on December 7th, featuring personalized arrangements of seasonal classics, and Joe Stilgoe & The Entertainers on December 8th and 9th, whose ensemble combines members from notable London bands to celebrate the jazz club experience.

Additional highlights include Omar’s December 10th and 11th residency, reaffirming his status as a neo-soul pioneer with a career spanning four decades, and Iain Mackenzie’s festive tribute to Frank Sinatra alongside the Callum Au Big Band on December 12th and 13th, coinciding with what would have been Sinatra’s 111th birthday and marking their new album launch.

The latter half of December is marked by an eclectic mix of soul, funk, and jazz performances. Noteworthy engagements include Natalie Williams’ Soul Family residency, a solstice reflection session led by Nikki Yeoh, and Laurence Cottle’s Soul Vaccination Big Band interpreting Tower of Power’s horn-driven funk. Late Late Shows continue to feature emerging and established talents such as Myele Manzanza and Zaimie.

Closing the festive period, Ray Gelato & the Giants provide a swing and jazz residency leading up to Christmas, with Liane Carroll’s Cold Turkey offering a beloved post-Christmas set. The transition into the new year is supported by Songs You Know and Love, a collective performance by Ronnie Scott’s All Stars with vocalists Natalie Williams and Iain Mackenzie, followed by W3 Funk Sessions and Incognito’s traditional end-of-year residency renowned for their blend of jazz, funk, and soul.

Throughout December, Ronnie Scott’s adheres to a structured schedule with early shows commencing at 6:30pm and late performances starting around 9:15pm. Sundays feature varied timings including midday and early evening sessions, while the Late Late Show operates Wednesday through Saturday nights, attracting audiences seeking post-dinner entertainment.

This detailed programme reflects Ronnie Scott’s ongoing dedication to nurturing London’s vibrant jazz and soul scenes by presenting a diverse array of artists and styles, particularly emphasizing seasonal celebrations and residencies that highlight both established names and rising stars according to information reported by thejazzmann.com.