Robert Glasper to Open Blue Note's First London Club
Robert Glasper will christen Blue Note London, the brand's first UK outpost, performing two shows this week before returning for a seven-concert run in November.
Grammy-winning musician Robert Glasper is set to become the first artist to perform at Blue Note London, the legendary Manhattan jazz club's first outpost in the UK capital. The venue opens this week on St Martin's Lane, in the heart of London's theatre district.
Glasper, who previously inaugurated Blue Note's Los Angeles location, said he was honoured to do the same in London. "I'm literally christening it," he said while warming up in the 300-seat main room. He described the venue as one that is "going to be historic," adding that the brand already carries that weight and that having a London presence was "absolutely amazing."
The composer and pianist spoke of a long-standing bond with the city, noting he has been performing in the UK for roughly 27 years. He called London one of the most fruitful places for artistry and music, praising its role in pushing the culture forward and describing himself as "part of the family here."
Beyond the main room, the club includes a smaller 130-seat space called the B-Side, which Glasper said would serve as a platform for showcases, DJ parties and emerging talent. He argued such spaces are needed in the wake of the pandemic, which disrupted music scenes worldwide, and described the venue as a necessary "breeding ground" for artists.
Glasper also praised the club's design, saying it feels both large and intimate, with a modern, museum-like quality that honours history while showcasing the present. He was also named the venue's creative ambassador.
He will perform two shows this week and return in November for a seven-concert run.