Live streaming jazz gigs with a few notable exceptions at jazz clubs such as Ronnie Scott’s in London and Montmartre in Copenhagen hasn’t really been embraced by the majority of jazz clubs. Inevitably the cost is a barrier for the smaller clubs and the number of streams has never been huge apart from with globally significant names such as Wynton Marsalis appearing. For the fan let’s face it watching a live stream no matter how much the technology has improved in terms of sound and video is no match to being there live.

So what’s next in terms of tech innovation to make the experience even more personal and realistic? Well virtual reality (VR) seems to be what’s brewing most. US tech company Rivet has launched an iOS-only app to stream concerts live in VR starting up with a trial at New York’s Blue Note jazz club who have partnered with the firm. To enable the service the Blue Note has been fitted out with a number of 360-degree camera rigs, boasting immersive 3D and binaural audio capturing equipment and a state-of-the-art production suite for live and post-production video and audio. Rivet says Blue Note Entertainment Group venues the BB King Blues Club and Highline Ballroom plan to adopt the technology.

Will it catch on? Hard to say at this stage but VR is increasingly the flavour of the day as the latest mainstream entertainment trend even if its appeal for now given the cost of set-up and uncertain returns might only be applicable to the big budget jazz clubs who are looking for new investment ideas. SG Link to the app