World-renowned guitarist Marcus Machado will return to London on 26 February 2026 for a highly anticipated performance at Ronnie Scott’s, bringing an explosive fusion of rock, funk, soul and psychedelia in his show, Purple Vibes – Featuring the Music of Jimi Hendrix. The night will blend a powerful homage to Jimi Hendrix with music from Machado’s own acclaimed albums, Aquarius Purple and Blue Diamonds, promising an evening of searing guitar work, deep grooves and rich improvisation.
Hailed by Rolling Stone as “The Next Young Gun”, Machado has emerged as one of the most distinctive guitarists of his generation. His playing carries a clear reverence for Hendrix while remaining firmly his own: inventive, muscular and unafraid to cross genres. Praised by Guitar World for mastering “a soulful sound that incorporates elements of R&B, funk, jazz, hip-hop, heavy rock and psychedelia into a hard-hitting and unique six-string stew,” he is widely regarded as a leading voice in contemporary guitar music. Guitar Player has described his style as “a fascinating amalgam of influences,” while Wordplay Magazine has simply concluded that he “just might be one of the best players in the game.”
Machado’s relationship with Hendrix’s music runs deeper than casual tribute. Over the years he has celebrated Hendrix’s legacy with sold-out performances at Cafe Wha? in New York, at London’s Handel Hendrix House and at Ronnie Scott’s itself, the club that holds a special place in rock history as the final venue Hendrix ever played. Rather than reproducing the originals note-for-note, Machado reshapes Hendrix’s songs through his own musical lens, drawing on the full range of influences that have shaped him: church-rooted soul, New York hip-hop, jazz improvisation and heavy rock energy.
His work beyond tribute shows is equally impressive. As a collaborator, Machado has worked with José James, Anderson .Paak, Robert Glasper and Jon Batiste, moving easily between studio sessions and live stages. His albums Aquarius Purple and Blue Diamonds showcase the breadth of his writing, shifting from atmospheric, slow-burning pieces to explosive, riff-driven tracks that highlight both his technical command and his sense of melody.
For this special night at Ronnie Scott’s, Machado will be joined by bassist Francis Hylton and drummer Joe Blaxx, forming a powerhouse trio built for live firepower. Hylton, known for his long-standing role with Incognito, brings a deep, soulful groove and a finely tuned sense of dynamics that underpins the music with warmth and drive. Joe Blaxx, a highly sought-after New York drummer whose credits include Wynton Marsalis and Meshell Ndegeocello, adds sharp rhythmic imagination and energy, locking in with Hylton to create a rhythm section capable of both surgical precision and raw attack. Together, the three musicians create the ideal setting for Machado’s guitar – a band that can shift in an instant from subtle, spacious passages to full-tilt, psychedelic intensity.
Across the evening, audiences can expect a carefully balanced set: reimagined Hendrix classics, deep cuts and crowd favourites, interwoven with material from Machado’s own catalogue. The result is not a museum piece but a living, breathing conversation between past and present. Hendrix’s spirit remains at the core, but the sound is undeniably contemporary, reflecting the musical journeys of three players who have absorbed funk, soul, jazz, rock and hip-hop into a coherent, modern language.
With its rich sense of history, high-level musicianship and the intimacy of Ronnie Scott’s as the backdrop, Purple Vibes – Featuring the Music of Jimi Hendrix is set to be a standout date in the 2026 live calendar. For long-time Hendrix devotees, guitar enthusiasts and fans of boundary-pushing live music, this is an opportunity to experience a master guitarist paying tribute to his greatest influence while continuing to push his own sound forward.
Marcus Machado: Purple Vibes – Featuring the Music of Jimi Hendrix takes place at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, London, on 26 February 2026. Tickets are priced between £40 and £60.