Peggy’s Skylight is the Ronnie Scott’s of the north! Cut from the same cloth with the same love of the music and attention to detail that has made it an essential venue in any tour. Its that perfect mixture of professionally run venue by musicians who know the music and are invested in the culture they are trying to promote. Like Ronnie’s it has a perfect amphitheatre for the delivery of intimate and meaningful shows with a great sound system and professional backline. They take risks in programming exciting music and engage with much needed cross generational approach to jazz and jazz culture which is essential for the long term development of the music and musicians.

To give you a direct example of how good they are, they help touring bands like myself by opening the venue on a down night, just to help me coordinate a tour around the UK. Respect to them and the scene needs venues like this.

We love coming to Peggy’s and musicians love coming to Peggy’s. They tell us repeatedly that it is an amazing place to play. The Fabulous Dennis Rollins was overcome on his first appearance there telling us that Peggy’s was a special place. And we are delighted that he has been back! The music at Peggy’s is diverse and this in turn attracts people of all ages and from all parts of society come to Peggy’s. Nottingham has a proud heritage of top-quality music venues and now has a Jazz Club to rival any Capital City in the World.

The Spring of 2020 has been a heart-breaking time for so many people. Lockdown is alien to us, but does perhaps provide an opportunity to reflect on what is really important to us and what we want in our lives moving forward. Central to this for me, and I suspect many others, will be friends and community, music and creativity, and saving our planet. Peggy’s provides nourishment for our souls and we will need it dearly when we re-emerge.