Camden music venue The Jazz Cafe closes suddenly for refurbishment
Mica Paris performing at the Jazz Cafe's 25th anniversary event in December (Picture: Dave Burke) - Credit: Archant
One of Camden’s iconic music venues has closed its doors suddenly.
Soul singer Andrew Roachford performing at the Jazz Cafe's 25th anniversary event in December (Picture: Dave Burke) - Credit: Archant
The Jazz Cafe, which has hosted stars including Amy Winehouse, D’Angelo – who recorded a live album there – Bobby Womack and, in recent weeks, Roy Ayres, will reopen in May after a refurb.
Scheduled shows at the Parkway venue have been moved, cancelled or postponed, the Jazz Cafe’s new owners have confirmed.
In December the nightspot marked its 25th anniversary with a celebration night headlined by singer Mica Paris and hip hop icon Grandmaster Flash.
Paris told the audience: “They represent real music.”
Soul singer PP Arnold performing at the Jazz Cafe's 25th anniversary event in December (Picture: Dave Burke) - Credit: Archant
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The closure was announced two days after entertainment company The Columbo Group purchased the venue.
In a statement director Steve Ball said: “Many of us here at The Columbo Group have a personal history at The Jazz Café, its early days have fed into what we do at our other venues a great deal.
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“What makes this purchase so special is that we now have the chance to channel that history in to taking The Jazz Café forward with a huge respect for the work they’ve done and for the greats that have played there we’re looking forward to taking this venue to the next level.
“There are elements of all aspects of The Jazz Café that we’re going to improve on taking from the experiences of our other venues including XOYO, whilst of course respecting the lineage of what The Jazz Café has come to represent.”
Asked on Twitter whether the venue would continue to specialise in soul, funk and reggae music, Mr Ball responded: “we’ve got some exciting plans but nothing we can announce yet, thanks.”
A scheduled show by Afro-pop act Osibisa has been moved to Xoyo, near Old Street.
