The Jazz Cafe in London - The Beating Heart of UK Groove
The Jazz Cafe is one of London’s premiere live-music venues – and it is not just a venue: it's a special place for groove music fans to come together! Originating in Newington Green in the 1980s, the club relocates to its current location in Camden Town in 1990. It is located just a short walking distance from the Camden Town Tube station, and it has been the place where the biggest names in funk, jazz, soul, and hip-hop perform incredible live shows.
Beyond the stage, The Jazz Cafe curates the annual Jazz Cafe Festival in Burgess Park, extending its influence to the London outdoor scene and affirming its role as a major authority on groove music.
Setting the Stage for the Brit Funk Connection
The Camden location (which used to be a bank) quickly becomes a crucial venue for the development of the Brit Funk scene in the 1980s. Brit Funk is London's sophisticated answer to American Soul — a DIY fusion of jazz, funk, and soul popularized by bands like Incognito and Beggar & Co.
The Jazz Cafe stays true to this legacy by putting on shows with supergroups and the original acts. Albums like Beggar & Co.'s Brass, Strings N' Things (2007) — recorded live at the venue — capture this spirit. These are not just records; they are also historical snapshots of London’s unique rhythmic identity, created by the Brit Funk pioneers themselves!
D’Angelo: The New Soul
The club's most famous live recording is definitely by the American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist D’Angelo: Live At The Jazz Cafe, London.
Recorded live in 1995 and officially released in 1998 (EMI Records), the album captures D’Angelo during the early days of his career, celebrating the momentum of his first major success. He performs with an amazing live band, and the album features covers from funk legends like Mandrill and Ohio Players alongside his own iconic tracks such as 'Brown Sugar,' 'Lady,' and 'Me And Those Dreamin’ Eyes Of Mine.'
Contemporary Global Echoes
The venue is a fantastic platform for international grooves as well, hosting the contemporary continuation of the funk and soul tradition. This includes performances by Bukky Leo & Black Egypt, recorded live here as tributes to Fela Kuti and William Onyeabor. It also features iconic artists such as the legendary soul-jazz musician Terry Callier, whose powerful live album Alive was captured here.
Gülben - 12/2025
🎷The Jazz Cafe
