Nostalgic jazz from Georgina Jackson and the Pete Long Quintet at The Club

The Pete Long Quintet and Georgina Jackson are bringing jazz favourites to Abu Dhabi’s The Club.

Georgina Jackson. Casey Moore

You know you have made it as a jazz artist when you have played at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club.

The renowned 55-year-old London institution has hosted performances by giants such as Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone and Wynton Marsalis – and last year it offered a prized slot to the Pete Long Quintet with Georgina ­Jackson.

Jackson, the UK group’s vocalist and trumpeter, says the experience was surreal.

“I would describe it as the equivalent of a British footballer playing at Wembley Stadium,” she says. “Every famous jazz artist has played there, so to step up on that stage and be part of that history is amazing.”

Jackson and her bandmates are now looking forward to another first as they prepare for their UAE debut at The Club in Abu Dhabi.

The band will be performing jazz standards from their debut album, Peggy, Duke and Benny, which pays a swinging homage to the luminaries Peggy Sue, Duke Ellington and Benny ­Goodman.

Jackson says the show will ­reflect the different styles of these legendary artists.

“I know it sounds a little bit cheesy but we do want to take people on a bit of a journey,” she says. “There will be different moods to the show, from the nostalgic to sadder moments to something that is more joyful and uplifting.”

Joining Jackson on stage will be the group’s leader Pete Long, who is well known behind the scenes of the local music ­industry.

"I've been in the UAE a lot of times and musically directed big functions such as the Oil Barons Charity Ball on a few occasions, as well as other shows where we performed the songs of Glenn Miller and from Grease," he says, "so I always look forward to coming back and being reacquainted with the fine curry over here."

Long hopes to create an inclusive vibe during Thursday’s show. In particular, newcomers to jazz and those not familiar with the chosen tunes will be catered to as Long and Jackson chat about the music’s history and the original artists between songs.

“We don’t want you to feel like we are standing there on top of an ivory tower and make you feel like you are not good enough if you don’t understand what’s going on,” he says.

“We want to include you in the show and, most importantly, keep it fun. Because if its not fun, no one will listen to it.”

Georgina Jackson and the Peter Long Quintet will be at The Club, Mina Zayed, on Thursday, February 26. Doors open at 7pm, concert starts at 8.30pm. Tickets from Dh150 at www.timeouttickets.com