Curzon Cinema Sheffield occupies one of the city’s most distinctive and historic buildings on George Street. Established in 1793 and originally opened on January 9th 1794, by John Hardcastle as a Gentleman’s Coffeehouse, the venue transitioned to the Sheffield Banking Company in 1831, reflecting the city’s growing economic significance. The original bank vaults remain perfectly preserved beneath the venue, and Curzon Sheffield’s Instagram page features a video tour offering a fascinating glimpse into its storied past.

After a long period of dereliction, the Grade II listed building underwent a significant transformation and reopened as Curzon Sheffield on January 9th 2015. The refurbishment preserved its historical character while introducing modern amenities, which is one of the things the esteemed Curzon chain is known for. Curzon Sheffield has three screens offering a curated selection of arthouse and mainstream films, colourful and cosy armchair filled rooms, a vast snacks, meals and drinks menu and a rooftop bar, which opens in summer, offering sweeping views across the city.  

This evening’s special event honoured Curzon’s 10th anniversary by screening one of the first films shown there—Whiplash (2014), a visceral exploration of ambition, discipline, and the intense world of jazz. Written and directed by Damien Chazelle, the film tells the story of Andrew Neiman, an aspiring drummer (played by Miles Teller) pushed to his limits by the tyrannical music teacher Terence Fletcher, portrayed by J.K. Simmons in an Academy Award-winning performance. Featuring electrifying music and edge-of-your-seat tension, Whiplash is a masterful meditation on the cost of greatness set to an incredible score. This is a film that truly benefits from the immersive experience of cinema exhibition. Curzon’s comfortable seats and state-of-the-art speaker system made this an incredible musical experience, especially during the final, hair-raising “crescendo” scene.

Like so many of the best venues in Sheffield, it is the staff who really elevate the experience. The small but extremely effective team at Curzon Sheffield are clearly passionate about their cinema and dedicated to making sure that every guest feels valued. They were extremely attentive throughout the evening, engaging in friendly and well-informed discussions about the film and the history of the venue. A delightful touch was the complimentary popcorn served in glasses, adding a sophisticated twist to the classic cinema treat.

Following the screening, attendees gathered in the intimate, library-style bar to enjoy a live performance from Sheffield’s own swing masters, Blue Seven Jazz. Renowned for their polished sound and passion for classic jazz standards, the band has been a cornerstone of Sheffield’s music scene for years, earning a reputation for their dynamic performances charismatically led by talented trumpeter Paul Stockley. With soulful solos and rhythmic prowess, Blue Seven Jazz carried the evening’s energy seamlessly from screen to stage with a carefully curated set list.

Opening the set with the soulful “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy,” the band immediately captured the audience’s attention with their lively take on the Joe Zawinul classic, famously performed by Cannonball Adderley. They followed with “I Wish I Knew,” a beautifully rendered piece that paid subtle and apt homage to its use as the theme tune to Barry Norman’s Film Night.

The elegance of “On Green Dolphin Street” highlighted the band’s command of harmony and interplay, while “All Blues” took the audience deeper into the world of modal jazz, its mesmerizing rhythm and bluesy feel demonstrating the ensemble’s remarkable cohesion.

A standout moment was their rendition of “Caravan.” Having just witnessed the piece’s intensity in Whiplash, the audience was treated to Blue Seven Jazz’s electrifying interpretation, with drummer Jack Hanks delivering a solo that encapsulated the film’s raw vigour.

The energy shifted seamlessly into the Latin charm of “Sway,” with the rhythm section delivering a performance full of infectious passion. Their playful and uplifting rendition of “Fly Me to the Moon” was a crowd favourite, before the evening concluded with a spirited performance of “Moanin’.” The band’s dynamic and soulful interpretation of this Art Blakey classic was the perfect way to end the set.

Blue Seven Jazz not only displayed remarkable talent but also embodied a deep appreciation for the genre, making their performance a fitting encore to the film screening. If you missed out on this event, Blue Seven Jazz are performing again, with the addition of vocalist Katherine Myles, on January 26th at The Gin Bar on Abbeydale Road.

Curzon’s event cinema offerings also continue with some special themed nights, including the February 13th ‘Galentines’ screening of the classic female road movie Thelma and Louise, and a Valentine’s Day special showing of David Lean’s romantic masterpiece Brief Encounter.

The 10th anniversary celebration at Curzon Sheffield was a harmonious fusion of film and live jazz, exemplifying the venue’s dedication to exceptional entertainment and fostering a vibrant arts scene in Sheffield. The seamless evening was “exactly our tempo!”

For Curzon Sheffield tickets and information, visit their website and follow their Facebook and Instagram pages

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Images by The Public House Brand