Grooving in Ronnie’s with Natalie Williams’ Soul Family

Sunday evenings will never be the same again, as once a month that slot at Ronnie Scott’s is given over to Natatlie Williams and her Soul Family. For 17 years, this band has been appearing regularly at the iconic home of jazz in the heart of Soho. Alongside some crowd-pleasing cover versions, Natalie and her band belt out some toe-tapping originals every few weeks.

Regulars and newbies packed the club on this particular Sunday night and the band entertained with their own arrangements of tunes by everyone from George Michael and Phil Collins to the incomparable Quincy Jones song One Hundred Ways and Stevie Wonder’s Higher Ground.

One of the most impressive features of the Soul Family is the way vocal solos are shared around, with Natalie herself equally at ease singing backings for one or more of the other vocalists - Vula Malinga, Brendan Reilly and Daniel Pearce.

And this family wouldn’t be what it is without the rhythm and horn sections that really groove. Every member of this band has earned their place on stage.

For me, the 80s throwbacks were not the highlight of the show. The original tunes held their own, not least the sweet but strangely bizarre Don’t Kiss Girls on Bikes, penned by Natalie herself. If you find yourself at a loose end one Sunday evening, check these guys out - the shows on 16 June and 21 July are sold out, but they’ll be back in the refurbished club after its closure through August.

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Hilary Seabrook - writer, podcaster, musician

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