Ronnie’s Scott’s is packing in the big names between now and November as the club plays host to a swathe of strong bookings. After this month’s tourist-friendly ‘Olympic Classic Jazz Series’, left-field fusion guitar favourite Wayne Krantz (20-21 August) and ‘Green Onions’ keyboard legend Booker T Jones (22-24 August) usher in a series of exciting gigs. September sees the return of renowned gypsy jazz guitarist Biréli Lagrène (10- 12 Sept) who last performed there in 2010, plus Chicago-born pianist/singer Patricia Barber who performs for two nights (17-18 Sept). October marks the return of hyper-virtuoso pianist Hiromi (pictured) with her Trio Project band featuring a rocket-fuelled rhythm section of bass ace Anthony Jackson and firecracker drum maestro Steve Smith (4-6 Oct).

Israeli bass boss Avishai Cohen also makes a return visit after last year’s explosive trio dates, once again with his young Seven Seas band that includes the classical/folk inspired piano work of Omri Mor and frenetic drumming of Amir Bresler (15-17 Oct). Tenor titan Joe Lovano and leading trumpeter Dave Douglas’ debut their new Soundprints Quintet that also includes pianist Lawrence Fields, drummer Joey Baron and emerging bass star Linda Oh (18-19 Oct). They play new arrangements of Wayne Shorter’s music, many of which were created in direct collaboration with the sax legend. Maverick US post-jazz trio The Bad Plus bring their punchy post-jazz rock, pop and indie-inspired set to Ronnie’s for two nights (23-24 Oct), while drummer Steve Smith is back again for two nights with his popular Vital Information quartet (25-26 Oct). And if that wasn’t enough a trio of top jazz divas – Stacey Kent (29 Oct-2 Nov), Dianne Reeves (5-6 Nov), and Dee Dee Bridgewater (15-17 Nov) – and a rare residency from the mighty Mingus Big Band (Nov 26-Dec 1) – keep things swinging right into autumn.

Other highlights include: Claire Martin & Sir Richard Rodney Bennett (3-4 Sept); Jay Phelps Big Band feat. Claire Teal (5-6 Sept); Jason Rebello Band (9 Sept); Frank Sinatra Jnr Sings Sinatra (13-15 Sept); Funmi Olawumi (23 Sept); Banda Black Rio (24-25 Sept); John Williams & John Etheridge (26-27 Sept); Ian Shaw with the Phil Ware Trio + Special Guest Guy Barker (28-29 Sept); Alison Moyet (8-10 Oct); Soulive (11-13 Oct); Nathan Haines (21-22 Oct); Terence Blanchard (8-9 Nov) and Mario Biondi (Nov 19-24).

For more go to www.ronniescotts.co.uk

– Mike Flynn