A BOLD, BEAUTIFUL SHIFT IN ATMOSPHERE

By Emma Carney | Bunny Pudding · Digital Coven · @bunnyscopes ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Press Invite

Ronnie Scott’s is a venue that always promises an amazing ambience made up of a stunning location, fabulous food, delightful drinks and marvellous music. It remains a true hot spot in London for some of the best live music to be found. Her Ensemble promised to be a little different this evening, with the music switching from Ronnie’s usual jazzy vibes over to classical. Who doesn’t appreciate an intimate jazz club setting with a classical trio? I don’t mind if I do….It was honestly such a unique set-up – and it worked far better than I expected.

Founded by director and violinist Ellie Consta, Her Ensemble is on a mission to redress the balance for female composers, who make up a shockingly small percentage of performed classical works worldwide (this was just 3.6% in 2019, boo!). Rather than delivering a lecture from the stage, Consta, alongside cellist Laura van der Heijden and pianist Junyan Chen, let the music do the talking. And what music it was. Opening with Amy Beach’s hauntingly beautiful Piano Trio, the trio immediately demonstrated their phenomenal individual skill and, more importantly, their intuitive ensemble playing. The acoustics of Ronnie’s, usually home to walking basslines and brushed snare drums, embraced every soaring violin line and delicate piano phrase with surprising warmth.

The programme’s revelations continued with Reena Esmail’s Saans, a piece that breathes Indian classical influences into a Western chamber structure. It was mesmerising – rhythmic, meditative, and utterly fresh. Elsewhere, their own arrangement of Florence Price’s jazz-miniatures felt like a knowing nod to the room’s usual genre, adding a playful, syncopated energy that had the audience leaning in. There was also a surprise composition at the end by a friend of the trio which further added to the experience, as who doesn’t appreciate getting a sneaky little extra performance?

An uplifting, quietly radical evening. Her Ensemble didn’t just perform forgotten music; they proved that classical repertoire can feel right at home in a jazz club – passionate, intimate, and full of surprise. A perfect night out for music lovers and certainly an intimate location perfect for an evening’s entertainment with friends or a romantic date.  I will definitely be returning for the next one!

Her Ensemble was performed at Ronnie Scotts’ on Monday 30 March.

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Photo Credit: Robert Crowley