George Melly presents the definitive history of the world's most famous jazz club, Ronnie Scott's.The series traces the club's origins, featuring archive from saxophonist Ronnie Scott himself, and a new interview with his business partner, now the club's proprietor, Pete King.

They reveal how they broke through the embargo on American musicians playing in the UK and launched 'the old place' as an international venue before moving premises to 'the new place' which still operates in Frith Street.

George Melly introduces recordings made on the premises for Ronnie's Jazz House label - including performances by Tubby Hayes, Peter King, Roland Kirk, Scott and Melly himself - and presents the memories of young British musicians, such as trumpeter Guy Barker and pianist Django Bates.

MUSIC & FACTUAL

Broadcast on Radio 3 in March and April 2004