The world-famous Ronnie Scott’s has become the heart of the jazz world in the UK and has played host to the cream of the jazz greats throughout its history. Many of the performances found in the season, including those by Nina Simone and Chet Baker, were filmed at Ronnie Scott’s, while others feature artists who had strong connections with the club – such as Tubby Hayes who was on the opening night bill back in 1959. Some have been chosen to represent the personal preferences of Ronnie Scott himself whilst others explore the tradition the club maintains for offering as wide a spectrum of jazz as possible. Documentaries include a newly restored Bernard Braden interview with Ronnie Scott from 1968, as well as the complete series of the highly acclaimed Jazz Britannia (BBC 2005) which examines the roots of the movement in Soho and tracks the form through to its present-day resurgence. Other highlights include classic 60s performances by Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald, more contemporary performances by Chico Freeman and Courtney Pine as well as the only surviving footage of the great Charlie Parker playing on camera and the last Chet Baker concert at Ronnie Scott’s before his untimely death

There is something for everyone throughout June as the BFI celebrates 50 years of Ronnie Scott’s. Alongside the Jazz in June television series highlights include Jazz Wednesdays and the Jazz and Film Weekender, which will include a whole range of jazz related activities at BFI Southbank between 12 – 14 June 12, and will feature performances by musicians from both Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club and Ronnie’s Bar.

PROGRAMME

An Evening with Ronnie – Wed 3 June 20:20 NFT1, Hosted by Paul Gambaccini

Contrasts: Ronnie Scott (BBC 1968. Dir Geoffrey Haydon. 39min) Scott plays with Kenny Wheeler and the Stan Tracey Trio. He also takes a critical look at himself, jazz in general, and some of his club’s guest stars.

+ Now & Then: Bernard Braden Interviews Ronnie Scott (BBC 1968. 20min. Newly restored by the BFI National Archive) Braden discusses with Scott the problems of finding an audience for jazz in Britain, the tendency to always assume that US jazz musicians are better and the loss of British jazz talent to the pop scene.

+ Jazz 625: The Tubby Hayes Big Band (BBC 1965. Prod Terry Henebery. 35min) Hayes will forever be synonymous with Ronnie’s as the first headliner at the newly opened club

Faces of Jazz – Sun 7 June 20:30 NFT2 & Wed 10 June 20:30 NFT2

Music On Two: The Three Faces of Jazz: Folk-Showbiz-Art (BBC 1970. Prod Geoffrey Haydon. 60min) The evolution of three aspects of jazz is traced through archival film. Those appearing include Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Tommy Dorsey, Lester Young, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, the Modern Jazz Quartet, and Dave Brubeck.

+ Brubeck (BBC 1980. Dir Roy Norton. 55min)

BBC Birmingham continued its strong relationship with jazz programming in this concert from Pebble Mill featuring the Dave Brubeck Quartet and guest singer Annie Ross & her trio.

Jazz Britannia BBC 2005. Prod Mike Connolly. 180min + Interval – Thu 11 June 18:30 NFT1

Narrated by Terence Stamp, this landmark series traces the story of the British jazz scene and neatly adds context to our season.

Ep1 – Stranger on the Shore examines the roots of the movement in Soho and the struggle to find a uniquely British form of Jazz.

Ep2 – Strange Brew Looks at the 60s and 70s jazz scene from the dynamic role played by the university scene to the eclectic mix of styles that characterised the early 70s.

Ep3 – Rebirth Of Cool The resurgence of jazz since the 80s: from Courtney Pine to Jamie Callum.

Dizzy & Chet – Sun 14 June 20:30 NFT2 & Sun 28 June 15:40 NFT2

Jazz 625: The Dizzy Gillespie Quintet (BBC 1966. Prod Terry Henebery. 37min).

Introduced by Humphrey Lyttelton and featuring the great Dizzy Gillespie (trumpet), with James Moody (tenor saxophone), Kenny Barron(piano), Christopher Wesley White (bass) and Rudy Collins (drums).

+ Chet Baker at Ronnie Scott’s (C4/ Wadham Films 1988. Dir Rob Lemkin. 60min)

The last film of Chet Baker playing before his untimely death. Interviewed by Elvis Costello, he discusses his life and infl uences and gives a fine performance, making this a fitting tribute to his genius. (A Van Morrison performance also figures).

Ella & Oscar – Sat 13 June 18:15 NFT1

Ella Fitzgerald Swings (BBC 1965. Prod Terry Henebery. 45min)

A chance to see the incomparable Ella at the height of her powers in this concert with the Oscar Peterson Trio and the Tommy Flanagan Trio.

+ Oscar Peterson: Words & Music with Ella Fitzgerald (BBC 1980. Prod Yvonne Littlewood. 45min) The perfect combination of Oscar and Ella. Frail as she was by then, as soon as she sings the old magic returns. Standards include ‘Every Time We Say Goodbye’ and ‘More Than You Know’. In addition to the music she is interviewed by Oscar Peterson about how she got started as a singer.

Nina & Louis – Sat 13 June 20:30 NFT1 & Tue 23 June 20:30 NFT3

The Late Shift: Nina Simone Live at Ronnie Scott’s (C4/Wadham Films 1988. Dir Rob Lemkin. 65min. Charlie Gillett and Viviene Goldman discuss the place of Nina Simone in the jazz lexicon. Includes interviews and a great gig.

+ Show of the Week: Louis Armstrong & His All Stars (BBC 1968. Prod Michael Hurll. 55min). This fantastically preserved colour recording sees Armstrong perform as bandleader, trumpeter and singer. The All Stars here are: Tyree Glenn (trb), Joe Muranyi (clt), Marty Napoleon (p), Buddy Catlett (b) and Danny Barcelona (d).

Jazz in the Studio – Sat 13 June 14:40 Studio

The Late Shift: Live at Ronnie Scott’s: Irakere (C4/Seven Dials 1988. Dir Tony Dow. 56min)

Irakere (Yoruba for ‘vegetation’) is a Cuban band, founded by pianist Chucho Valdés in 1973, that won the Grammy for Best Latin Recording in 1980 with its album Irakere.

+ The Late Shift: Live at Ronnie Scott’s: Chico Freeman (C4/Wadham Films 1988. Dir Rob Lemkin. 72min)

Chico Freeman has a long association with Ronnie’s, and his versatility has seen him perform across the music scene from jazz, rhythm and blues, pop and world music, and distinguish himself in all these forms.

British Jazz Greats 2 – Sun 14 June 18:15 NFT2

Jazz 625: Ben Webster & Stan Tracey (BBC 1964. Prod Terry Henebery. 30min) In 1959 Stan Tracey began his seven year tenure at Ronnie’s. His‘Under Milk Wood’ (1965) is widely considered a turning point in British jazz. Here Tracey, with other members of the Ronnie Scott Quintet, accompanies the great saxophonist Ben Webster.

+ The Concert: Courtney Pine & The James Taylor Quartet (Thames TV 1989. 56min) A concert filmed just two years after Courtney’s debut album, Journey To The Urge Within, the first serious jazz album ever to make the British Top 40. Feted with two MOBO awards, Pine has revitalised jazz within the contemporary music scene.

Charlie Parker – Wed 17 June 20:45 NFT1

Jazz 625: In Memoriam – Charlie Parker (BBC 1965. Prod Terry Henebery. 40min) Parker associates, including Sonny Stitt, Kenny Clarke and JJ Johnson, mark the tenth anniversary of his death.

+ Norman Ganz Presents: Improvisation (USA 1944. Dir Norman Ganz. 15min.) Ganz’s second jazz film includes a fantastic set by Parker. Only 52 seconds of film of Bird survives beyond these precious 15 minutes.

+ Signals: Chasing The Bird (C4/Holmes Associates 1988. Dir George Cathro. 60min) Dizzy Gillespie and Parker’s wife recall the man. Courtney Pine, Andy Sheppard and Tommy Smith play and discuss his influence.

London & Paris – Wed 24 June 20:40 NFT2

Omnibus: Ronnie Scott and All That Jazz (BBC 1989. Prod Bob Portway. 60min) Across the world Ronnie Scott’s is synonymous with the best in jazz. Made in celebration of the club’s 30th birthday, this examines how Scott built up its reputation. Includes interviews with some of the club’s admirers and archive footage of past guests.

+ Tempo: Ornette Coleman (ABC TV 1966. Dir Dick Fontaine. 28min) Very rare footage of one of the greatest-ever modern trios (pioneering modernist Coleman with sidemen Charles Moffatt and David Izenson) as they record a score for the experimental film Who’s Crazy?.

For more information about the BFI Jazz and Film Weekender: Celebrating Ronnie Scott’s at 50, visit www.bfi.org.uk/weekender

Ronnie Scott’s is one of the oldest jazz clubs in the world, with a rich history. Since opening in 1959 it has established itself globally as the premiere jazz venue and has hosted numerous iconic performances over the years – from Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie and Tony Bennett to Jeff Beck, Jamie Cullum, Michael Buble and Van Morrison. Since the club’s refurbishment in 2006 it remains the UK’s top live jazz venue and has one of the most intimate and distinctive settings in London. A relatively new addition is an upstairs bar which recreates the relaxed vibe of the 50s speakeasy. This year celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the club, with a number of exciting events and special performances happening throughout the year.

Ronnie Scott’s, 47 Frith Street, Soho, London W1. Tel: 0207 439 0747 www.ronniescotts.co.uk