Hunting for History
It is believed that the name for one of London’s most recognisable entertainment neighbourhoods is derived from a hunting cry from many centuries ago. Soho! was the shout over the farmland and fields once owned by King Henry VIII when a hare was spotted by the aristocratic hunters to alert the other riders that their game was on.
Almost 500 years later, Soho is often the hunting ground for visitors and residents that are looking for an evening of live music entertainment unlike anywhere in the world. Amongst the beautiful Georgian townhouses, sometimes hidden away in basement levels, there is a collection of music venues in Soho that are a reminder of the post-war boom for jazz amongst a new generation of young people. The labyrinthine streets became a hotbed of musicians and crowds looking to be part of an exciting scene at that time.
Soho Live Music Club
The Piano Bar on Carlisle Street is one of the most impressive places that pays tribute to the area’s incredible heritage in the modern day. However, this is far from a nostalgic gesture. Since 2013, founder and director George Hudson has dedicated his professional life to developing the Soho Live Music Club brand with a grand concept that intends to remove the barriers between the artists and the audience. Using all of the stories, history and magic of the area, Soho Live music Club has quickly become the foundation for jazz clubs that are tailored towards a modern generation where the discovery of emerging talent is as important as the evening’s entertainment.
George understands that the alchemy of this neighbourhood is perhaps the most essential ingredient too: “When you bring artists into Soho, they feel something. We don’t know what it is, it’s in the walls”.
The Piano Bar
The Piano Bar is the hidden gem amongst the Soho Live Music Club collection alongside the more well-known Alfie’s and Jack Solomons Jazz Club. Here in the heart of Soho, behind the elegant townhouse façade, it holds a full suite of music recording and performance facilities that offer a unique proposition to travelling acts and their audiences. This dual purpose offers credibility, authenticity and has made the Piano Bar an important part of the Soho live music eco-system where many of the recording acts eventually appear on stage too.
Setting the Stage
While the Soho Live Studios on-site represents taking care of the day job, it is the evening when this place really comes to life. The overall ambience is of a discreet and exclusive cocktail lounge that provides a spectacular live music programme. As one would expect, this means lots of moody lighting, using rich and warm tones on the walls for a vintage jazz club aesthetic. The most striking element here however, is the proximity to the stage with candle-lit tables arranged in a lounge configuration, allowing audiences to become a part of the performance and charging the evening with a refined intimacy.
Tough Acts to Follow
The mix between a schedule of emerging artists and those already identified as making an impact on the music world is one of the biggest draws for The Piano Bar. Internationally acclaimed neo-soul star Ego Ella May has been a presence here on several occasions, with more traditional jazz luminaries such as the trumpeter Andy Davies also making an appearance. Kitty LaRoar, a regular at Ronnie Scott’s, and Riketté Genesis have both brought their inimitable vocal talents to this special spot on Carlisle Street too, highlighting how well respected the crowds are here.
George Hudson has spent well over a decade creating an authentic reputation for all of his venues and The Piano Bar has benefited from guest appearances as a result. All of which means that there is always a feeling that something special might be about to happen on this stage.
Raising a Glass
The drinks options on offer at The Piano Bar present the perfect accompaniment for the sounds in an appropriate manner. A menu of signature cocktails includes standard classics and some award-winning additions that rely on rare drink brands and a complex mix of flavour profiles. The Cuban Crown is a great example of this, using Ron Santiago de Cuba Extra Añejo 11 Years with salted honey syrup and lime. And the Smoked Old Fashioned with crushed brown sugar is simply perfect to match the energy of a place that owes so much to the jazz clubs of times gone by in New York and London.
A First Class Booking
In the 21st century, there are plenty of music venues that either seek to please too broad an audience or simply don’t understand their own offering. The Piano Bar is a refreshing and revitalising example of a place and brand that knows what it wants to achieve and does it superbly well. It drives new acts, creates the perfect platform for them to perform and in doing so, welcomes more established artists to be a part of it too. It should come as no surprise then, that booking a ticket for The Piano Bar in advance is always wise, as they are often the hottest in town.
