Latest news with #RonnieScott
Khaleej Times
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Celebrate International Jazz Day with Blue Note at Dubai Opera
This April, step into the rich legacy of one of the most iconic names in music history, Blue Note Records, as MAC Global and Dubai Opera present Blue Note Jazz to mark the 85th anniversary of the label's founding. The event will take audiences on an unforgettable journey through Blue Note's storied past, featuring a remarkable lineup of international jazz artists, all led by the acclaimed bandleader Peter Long. Founded in 1939, Blue Note Records has been a defining force in jazz, shaping the genre's evolution over decades. This celebration will spotlight the label's incredible influence, with a performance that reinterprets timeless Blue Note tracks. Under the direction of Peter Long, best known as the musical director of the renowned Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, an ensemble of world-class musicians will bring new life to the iconic sounds of jazz legends. The lineup includes Peter Long (Malta) on alto saxophone, Freddie Hendrix (USA) on trumpet, Abraham Burton (USA) on tenor saxophone, Danny Grissett (USA) on piano, Thomas Bramerie (France) on bass, Sebastian De Krom (Netherlands) on drums, and Sara Oschlag (Denmark) on vocals. Each artist brings their own unique voice and cultural influence to this powerful musical celebration. From John Coltrane's emotive improvisations to Miles Davis's smooth, sophisticated style, the performance will showcase the lasting influence of these jazz icons. The ensemble will breathe fresh energy into Blue Note classics, capturing the essence of the label's timeless sound while honouring its legacy. Whether you are a dedicated jazz aficionado or discovering the genre for the first time, this is a rare opportunity to experience the magic of Blue Note, live at Dubai Opera. Presented by MAC Global in collaboration with Dubai Opera, this event promises an unforgettable celebration of the world's most influential jazz label.
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Ronnie Scott, Anglo-Argentine who volunteered for the Fleet Air Arm in 1942 and flew Spitfires
Ronnie Scott, who has died aged 107, volunteered from Buenos Aires in the Second World War for the Fleet Air Arm, was one of the last living pilots to have flown Spitfires during the war, and believed to be the oldest Royal Navy veteran in the Americas. As soon as he could, in mid-1942, Scott volunteered as a British Latin American Volunteer or BLAV, one of a few thousand from Argentina. Much of the remainder of the year was spent in travel by sea with a contingent of 32 Argentine volunteers via the United States to Britain. Arriving in Liverpool in April 1943, as a BLAV he was marked down for the Army, and he had to talk his way into the Fleet Air Arm, which was his only specific ambition other than a general determination to fight Hitler. Joining No 53 Course, Scott was sent to Canada to learn to fly and, on return to Britain, he was commissioned as sub-lieutenant RNVR (Air). He first joined 794 Naval Air Squadron, part of No.1 Naval Air Firing Unit, where he flew target tugs, but then joined 761 Naval Air Squadron at the Naval Air Fighter School. On November 17 1944 he flew his first solo in a Spitfire. He told the Argentine historian, Claudio Meunier, who wrote his biography: 'I took off with the canopy open … it was 55 unforgettable minutes ... when accelerating, the nose went down and you could see ahead perfectly. 'Adrenaline took over my body. Flying a Spitfire was touching the sky with your hands, it was the most exciting plane I could have flown up to that moment. 'I tried a tight turn, and I was surprised. My god! This was something else, the body was crushed against the seat and the aircraft took you wherever you wanted. Impressed. She was alive, it was incomparable.' Later, Scott also flew the Sea Hurricane and the Seafire, navalised versions of aircraft made famous in the Battle of Britain. Modestly he claimed to have had a 'comfortable war' as a flying instructor rather than in combat. Nevertheless, he came close to death, once when he suffered an engine failure and crashed into the sea off the southwest coast and also in London during the flying bomb blitz. Scott was demobilised in 1946, and enlisted in the Argentine Navy as a reserve officer. After working in a textile company, he joined the national airline Aeroposta Argentina as a commercial pilot along with other wartime pilots, flying the Dakota DC-3 on the routes over Patagonia. When Aerolíneas Argentinas was founded in 1950, he flew the Douglas DC-4, the de Havilland Comet 4, and finished his flying career in the Boeing 737. He was a founder of the Air Line Pilots Association, and he retired in 1978 with more than 23,000 flying hours as a commercial pilot. During the Falklands War he admired the skills of the aviators of both the Argentine Air Force and his successors in the Fleet Air Arm. Ronald David Scott was born on October 20 1917 in Buenos Aires, the son of a Scots veteran of the Boer War and an English nurse. Argentina was then one of the largest economies in the world, with around 60,000 Anglo-Argentines in Buenos Aires, served by a branch of Harrods in the Calle Florida and a Hurlingham's sports club. His father was one of the first referees of Argentine rugby. Young Scott was educated at Belgrano day school and Hurlingham's Oates Sollege (which merged with St George's in 1935). One of his earliest memories was the British Industries Exhibition in Buenos Aires and the visit of the aircraft carrier HMS Eagle, when Edward, Prince of Wales, playing polo at the Hurlingham, asked him to fetch a glass of tonic. After the prince and the 14-year-old fell into conversation, Edward asked his private secretary to arrange for the boy to visit Eagle, which inspired him to want to fly in the Royal Navy. Prewar, Scott had started a typical Anglo-Argentine career as a junior clerk in Swift meatpackers. When war broke out, he raised money for the Spitfire Fund in the Argentine, and once he could place his widowed, ailing mother in a hospice, in May 1942, he volunteered for service in Britain. Scott was an active sportsman, favouring rugby and cricket but also finding time for hockey, bowls, badminton and cycling. In quieter moments he played bridge. He was always cheerful, very respectful and had many friends. A mainstay of veterans' organisations, he never missed a Poppy Day. In March 2021, he became a screen star, when the documentary Buena Onda ('Good Vibes') was made about him during the pandemic. In 2018 the Argentine Navy made him doyen of their naval aviation arm; in 2021 he was made a life member of the Fleet Air Arm Officer's Association; and in 2022 was granted the Condecoración de la Armada Argentina. He died at the British-American Benevolent Society retirement home, in the Buenos Aires suburb of Villa Devoto, where he was born. The secret of old age, he said, was: 'Keep moving, and a daily glass of tinto.' Scott married Marion Groyne in 1950. She predeceased him in 2014, and he is survived by their two sons. Ronnie Scott, born October 20 1917, died April 17 2025 Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
BBC News
11-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Tenterden man says 'one day there will be a cure for Parkinson's'
A man from Kent who has been living with a diagnosis of Parkinson's has said he tries to stay active and positive every Harvey, from Tenterden, also said he was confident one day a cure for the condition will be Parkinson's Day is on Friday, with events organised to highlight awareness of the condition and the help Harvey says, despite occasional "dark thoughts", he always tells himself "life could be far worse". "As long as I can continue to go to jazz concerts at Ronnie Scott's, and the theatre and meet up with old mates for lunches, a positive approach and a supportive partner as I've got with my wife Helen, it is absolutely key to combating the disease," he said."Because one day there will be a cure." He said staying active has been key to his approach to Parkinson's."All the literature I read said vigorous exercise for at least two and a half hours every week could help to slow the disease's progression," he said."Every Monday I have a fitness session with an ex-army physical training instructor at the Tenterden Boxing Club, on Fridays I work with a specialist Parkinson's trainer and I go on an organised walk each Wednesday." Parkinson's is a condition in which parts of the brain become damaged over many years, affecting speech and names affected by the condition include comedian Billy Connolly, the musicians Ozzy Osbourne, Neil Diamond and Linda Rondstadt, and the actor Michael J Fox, who campaigns and fundraises in a bid to find a part of World Parkinson's Day hundreds of people around the UK will join together to sing Gloria Gaynor's disco classic I Will Survive from 13:00 BST.
The Independent
05-04-2025
- Business
- The Independent
This is why London pubs and clubs could be staying open later this weekend
Sadiq Khan has been given new powers, which could see bars open later and more al fresco dining in London. The Mayor of London suggested that councils blocking pubs and clubs from staying open later will change their attitudes 'from today' after the Chancellor and Prime Minister approved the changes that would allow him to 'call in' licensing decisions. He said music venues, pubs and bars that attract visitors and tourists are currently closing earlier than they would like due to 'onerous licensing conditions'. The powers will not be applied to all parts of London, but designated zones, Mr Khan said, stressing that it is not a 'one size fits all approach' for all London boroughs. However, if the trial proves successful, it could be rolled out to other parts of the country like Greater Manchester and the West Midlands. The decision follows concern that London councils have been too cautious, restricting the capital's nightlife by rejecting applications for changes such as extended opening hours. 'I think you'll see a difference from today. Why? Because councils will know the Chancellor and the Prime Minister are quite serious in saying they will give me powers. Councils aren't making the right call,' Mr Khan said. 'Look at today in London. It's hotter than Ibiza. Where's the al fresco outdoor dining?' he said. 'What's important is that… councils understand that, if it's the case that they aren't giving permission, I'll be calling their applications in. 'But I think you'll see from today, hopefully, a change of attitude from councils. 'What we can't have is a vocal minority of hyper local residents stifling growth, stifling job creation, and stifling our economy.' He dismissed the idea of residents objecting to later opening times in places like Soho. 'Anybody who chose to live in Soho must understand the history of this area, surely,' he said. 'I mean Ronnie Scott's has been here for a long time … many of these pubs were set up in Victorian times or Tudor times.' Mr Khan, Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner met hospitality industry chiefs at Ronnie Scott's jazz club in London on Friday. The chief executive of the Greene King pub group Nick Mackenzie and Kate Nicholls, chief executive of trade body UKHospitality, were among them. The announcement comes at a time when confidence in the hospitality industry has hit its lowest point in two years as rising wage costs, national insurance contributions and business rates hit the sector this month. UKHospitality has said the combination of rising costs would amount to a £3.4 billion hit for the industry on the Government to come up with a plan.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mayor Sadiq Khan gains new powers to keep London's nightlife open later from today
The Mayor of London has suggested that councils blocking pubs and clubs from staying open later will change their attitudes as he gets new powers to overturn their decisions. Sadiq Khan said he expects to see a difference 'from today' and that the Chancellor and Prime Minister are 'quite serious' in giving him the powers, which could see bars open later and more al fresco dining in London. If successful, it could be extended to other parts of the country such as Greater Manchester or the West Midlands. The decision follows concern that London councils have been too cautious, restricting the capital's nightlife by rejecting applications for changes such as extended opening hours. Sir Sadiq told the PA news agency: 'I think you'll see a difference from today. Why? Because councils will know the Chancellor and the Prime Minister are quite serious in saying they will give me powers. Councils aren't making the right call,' he said. Music venues, pubs and bars that attract visitors and tourists are closing earlier than they would like due to 'onerous licensing conditions', he said. He added: 'Look at today in London. It's hotter than Ibiza. Where's the al fresco outdoor dining?' 'What's important is that… councils understand that, if it's the case that they aren't giving permission, I'll be calling their applications in. 'But I think you'll see from today, hopefully, a change of attitude from councils. 'What we can't have is a vocal minority of hyper local residents stifling growth, stifling job creation, and stifling our economy. These powers will not be applied to all parts of London, but designated zones, he said, stressing that it is not a 'one size fits all approach' for all London boroughs. But he dismissed the idea of residents objecting to later opening times in places like Soho. 'Anybody who chose to live in Soho must understand the history of this area, surely. 'I mean Ronnie Scott's has been here for a long time … many of these pubs were set up in Victorian times or Tudor times.' Sir Sadiq, Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner met hospitality industry chiefs at Ronnie Scott's jazz club in London on Friday. The chief executive of the Greene King pub group Nick Mackenzie and Kate Nicholls, chief executive of trade body UKHospitality, were among them. The announcement comes at a time when confidence in the hospitality industry has hit its lowest point in two years as rising wage costs, national insurance contributions and business rates hit the sector this month. UKHospitality has said the combination of rising costs would amount to a £3.4 billion hit for the industry on the Government to come up with a plan.
