Sebastian writes

Through twelve years of hard work, the Quecumbar in Battersea has made itself into a unique London  landmark, and an indispensable stop-off in touring circuits. It is now faced with a daunting 50% rent rise and its future is threatened. Full details are on the KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN, and in a Press Release which we have reproduced in full.

The challenge pubs and venues face is indeed becoming harder. As the editor of MusicOMH Michael Hubbard wrote this week, in the context of the closure of the Canterbury Arms in Brixton: “Of course, if you stand still in one place in London for too long, you too will be turned into flats. Shocking that the building is to go too, in this case.”

PRESS RELEASE: London’s home of Gypsy swing, ‘Le QuecumBar: The Hot of Club of London’, has in the face of adversity come up with ambitious plans to take the top spot of becoming the UK’s favourite live music venue and jazz club.

Le QuecumBar was established from a dream and a glass of wine on the banks of the Seine in France, and since then, for 13 years it’s been showcasing the music of the maestro, Django Reinhardt and other musicians from the vintage era, 7 nights a week! Le Que has become a hot spot for regular customers and tourists from all over the world. It showcases Django’s Jazz Manouche, vintage swing as well as other forms of early nostalgic jazz.

However, a recent hike in rent by over 50% has not dampened spirits in achieving their goal but they’re looking towards crowd-funding to enable this further dream to materialise.

The crowd-funding initiative is essential for Le QuecumBar to survive. The rent has not only been increased but back-dated too. The innovative project that Le Que are seeking sponsorship for, in return for ‘rewards’, addresses historic issues the live music venue has as well as ambitious projects that’ll secure existing and new audiences for it’s music.

Steve Tennison, general manager at Le Que said ‘The increase in rent is a blow to a small independent music venue that only just manages to keep its head above the parapet. The increase places an enormous pressure upon us to get new people through the door, as well as returning customers. We’re having to think outside the box to become more forward thinking and progressive whilst retaining important traditions and relationships with the Sinti community who remain the Masters of this genre of music. This Kickstarter crowd-funding opportunity will see us hopefully gain new support and strengthen existing support with some exciting opportunities.

We want to substantially invest in our food; it’s always been an issue delivering this from a domestic-style facility. We need to address this once and for all. As well as other material upgrades, improving the look and feel of Le Que, the successful crowd-funding will see a festival celebrating the music of top Gypsy swing artists being organised in London in 2016, a subsequent recording and album of this festival, the formation of a Gypsy jazz school, as well as providing a much needed budget for advertising ticketed events to ensure our musicians and bands get maximum exposure. It’s certainly ambitious project but I’m the luckiest manager with a committed team of staff, musicians and supporters to deliver this. We’re passionate and all believe so much in the original dream and we want to see the UK’s only original Hot Club succeed to continue showcasing music from around the world’.

For further enquiries please contact:
Steve Tennison:

E: steve@quecumbar.co.uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/le.quecumbarlondon
Twitter: @quecumbar