Kings Place hosts Friday evening Spitz Jazz in the building's popular atrium. This continues the much loved eleven year jazz residency at the old Spitz.
THE SPITZ LIVES ON
Spitz Jazz involves some of London's finest musicians. Miles Danso, Brian Edwards, Alan Weekes, Jay Phelps, Michael Mwenso, Bruno D'ambra, Kristian Borring, Neil Charles, Shabaka Hutchings, Pete Wareham, Johannes Riepler, Ben Hazleton, Neville Malcolm, Jim Mullen and many others.
Spitz Jazz was part of Kings Place first anniversary celebrations. We hosted nine jazz, blues and world music gigs. We also coordinate music for corporate events.
THE OLD SPITZ
"An absolute jewel of a venue" Time Out
At the heart of the Old Spitalfield's Market, the Spitz's live music, gallery, bistro and bar, became an important part of London's cultural identity. As contemporary business developments moved eastwards into the Market from Liverpool Street, the Spitz provided sounds, visions and tastes that were a refreshing counter to the café latte ‘bling' subsuming so much else in the area. Sadly, the landlords disagreed. In 2007 the Spitz made way for yet another up-market restaurant.
"The Spitz is an essential landmark in London's vibrant musical landscape" Brian Eno
INNOVATIVE PROGRAMMING
Its innovative music programme offered something for all tastes, from world music and jazz, to eclectic techno and dance DJs, through to funk, pop, indie and rock. The diversity of genres and artists that played at The Spitz stretched from the surf instrumentals of Dick Dale, made famous by his soundtrack to the Quentin Tarantino film Pulp Fiction, Billy Bragg's bitter sweet observations of English society, the Alt Jazz of Mercury nominees Polar Bear and far beyond. The Spitz was active in The London Jazz Festival, Fertilizer Festival and Atlantic Waves Festival and staged its own Blues and Folk Festivals.
"...one of the best live music venues in London" Charlie Gillett, BBC Radio London
WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT THE SPITZ
"The perfect setting for creative music" The Guardian
More than ten thousand people signed the Save the Spitz petition and there were many statements of support including Danny Eccleston, Consultant Editor, Mojo Magazine who said "It has served a world of vibrant, genuinely alternative music virtually single-handed.". Ken Livingstone commented, "The Spitz is a unique venue which has enhanced the London music scene since it opened." Leading fashion designer, Giles Deacon claimed that, "I have been to many ground-breaking shows at The Spitz that I would never see at a more mainstream venue." Beth Orton outraged that, "In these days of bland, corporate homogenisation we need truly independent venues like The Spitz more than ever. I love the whole vibe and feel of The Spitz which reminds me of New York venues."
These might have served as epitaphs, but Spitz Jazz lives on every Friday evening at Kings Place.
Images by Jane Glitre and Gideon Mendel
