Crossover Jazz Room takes over the main 400-600-capacity Assembly Hall at the 1930s building where the likes of Queen and The Kinks have played.
It follows the town hall’s eight-year closure to be redeveloped into flats, a hotel and arts centre.
The listed landmark finally reopened on December 6 with a big Christmas light-switch on – and now the long-delayed cultural programme can get underway with plans for theatre, concerts, dance shows and school productions as well as wedding hire.
Bernadette Bryant is a long time Crouch End resident and social worker who started Crossover Jazz Room in 2016 at the Crouch End Picture House.
“I had never done anything like that before but I love live music and felt that Crouch End had lots of restaurants and bars but nowhere for a bit of entertainment,” she said.
“It started off in an upstairs room charging £5 on the door, with enough to give the musicians a drink and a meal and a bit of money.
“After Covid, I wanted to move to a bigger space because we had outgrown it so we’ve been at the Middlesex Cricket Club. But I’ve been hanging on and waiting for the town hall to open.
“Crossover Jazz has always been a community event and now it’s going to be in the heart of Crouch End. All the bands like The Kinks used to play the town hall so it’s reviving the old spirit of the place.”
Bernadette’s performers are both professionals and talented up and coming artists but all must be of a good standard.
Many hail from Crouch End but she says “people fly in from abroad to play” with past acts including jazz singer Winnie Greer, blues and soul band Odyssey, Lex Cameron from the band Heatwave and singer Carol Thompson and saxophonist Benita Bull.
“I got to see bands and get their cards and vet people before I put them on. It’s a proper high quality show that’s about promoting people so they can get work – because it’s tough out there.
“Jazz is at the root of everything but it crosses over into soul, gospel, reggae and blues – it’s a special night with a welcoming vibe and a chance to dance to great tunes after the show.”
The grand launch of Crossover Jazz Room’s music night takes place on March 27 with tickets ranging from £20-£35. Tickets and details from crossoverjazzroom.com
