Join us for an evening hosted by Rio Kai, bandleader of house band Stratos, alongside special guests, in our intimate, reimagined canalside venue.
Rio is a Mercury Prize-nominated bassist known for his energetic rhythmic phrasing and blistering lines. Hosting this one-off night, bringing special guests into the heart of our weekly jazz series. Plus entry is just £5 on the door and £6/8 for a table and ticket in advance.
Over the coming months, Rio will be inviting more guest artists to Grow’s Thursday jazz session, with a focus on rising women instrumentalists who are shaping the future of the UK music scene. This curated evening offers a rare chance to see Rio step beyond the usual Stratos lineup, spotlighting next-generation talent.
Rio Kai says:
“As someone who has had the opportunity to regularly play at Grow Hackney and have the overwhelming support of the team at Grow, as well as the local community, being able to share that platform with artists from all different walks of life and points in their careers holds a personal affinity for me. Being able to provide a space for visibility and recognition for artists that may not be as represented in the music scene holds great importance, and should also be a chance for artists within the community to connect with each other as well as new audiences.”
For this session, two special guest artists will be joining the stage at our Jazz Jam. We’re excited to welcome Shirley Tetteh, a guitarist whose journey into jazz began with Tomorrow’s Warriors and has since seen her become one of the most in-demand players on the UK scene. From Nérija and Maisha to Jazz Jamaica and Groundation, Shirley’s work bridges forward-thinking jazz with groove, experimentation and original improvisation.
Also joining us is Flo Redmonds, a rising saxophonist already making waves with her powerful sound and fluid, expressive approach. A Guildhall alumna and former NYJO member, Flo has shared stages with some of the UK’s most exciting jazz artists and was recently named a Jazzwise Future Mover at Ronnie Scott’s.Our reimagined canalside snug becomes a warm, plant-filled stage space where you can sit just a few feet from some of London’s finest jazz musicians and savour every detail of the music and setting.
To mark the season, our menu will take on a festive twist, with mulled wine and mulled apple to keep things cosy, plus an extra-special seasonal Espresso Martini made with Honduras La Cidra guest beans from Square Mile Coffee Roasters.
The first set begins at 7.30pm, followed by a late-night jam session starting at 9.30pm.
About Rio Kai
Rio is a Mercury Prize-nominated bassist known for his energetic rhythmic phrasing and blistering lines . Rio is a core member of the 11-piece British jazz ensemble seed., and of Courtney Pine’s House of Legends. He has also served as Musical Director at Shakespeare’s Globe, most recently for this year’s production of Othello. His playing blends deep rhythmic intuition with a bold, contemporary approach, firmly positioning him among the most compelling voices in UK jazz.
This event is funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport as part of the UK Government’s Creative Industries sector vision. £5 million has been invested to support Grassroots Music.
This event is funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport as part of the UK Government’s Creative Industries sector vision, £5 million has been invested to support Grassroots Music.
BOOKINGS
The first set is from approx 7.30 - 8.30. The second set is from approx 9.30-10.30pm.
Book a ticket and table via the OpenTable experiences, where we are offering a festive set menu.
Book just a ticket DICE
We reserve 30% of our tables for walk-ups, so still feel free to come down and grab a spot. There is plenty of standing room as well. We advise that you arrive between 6.30 and 7.30 pm to get a table.
If you’ve booked a table via the OpenTable, we recommend you turn up on time, as we cannot hold the tables for more than 15 minutes.
Please read our full FAQs before booking, where you will find information on refunds and exchanges
FOOD & DRINK
Our kitchen is open until 9 pm and serves a range of dishes and snacks. We have a range of drinks from the bar (open until 11.45 pm), including Grow’s signature cocktails.
Arrive early to make the most of excellent happy hour offers.
