Events

Reimagining jazz repertoire for the 21st century.

Saxophonist and composer Trish Clowes leads MY IRIS, an intense and thrilling quartet with Ross Stanley (piano / Hammond organ), Chris Montague (guitar) and Joel Barford (drums). Dedicated to exploration and adroit writing, Clowes provides her bandmates with a unique platform for individual expression and group interplay, delivering driving grooves and lingering melodic lines, seamlessly morphing between earthy restlessness and futuristic dreamscapes.

“Vortex Lates” is a series of events taking place in our downstairs bar on Friday or Saturday. A new late-night jazz hang for Dalston where you can grab a drink and listen to some of the best improvised musicians from around the city.

A weekly session on Sunday evenings, the jams will be hosted by some of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson, guitarist Nick Costley-White, trumpeter Sean Gibbs and tenor saxophonists Harben Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan (+ sometimes a few guest leaders) each one hosting one session on rotation.

Welcoming and relaxed, come for a drink, sit back and enjoy the music, or bring your horns, sticks and strings to join in during the second set.

Musician and composer Alasdair Pennington has in recent years established himself as a distinct and creative voice on the drum kit within the vibrant London jazz and improvised music scenes. ‘This Is’, Pennington’s debut album was released in October 2024 on Hidden Threads Records and described by Jazz Journal as “a highly listenable collection which in places harks back to the sound of American jazz from the 50s and 60s”.

Anna Chandler-King brings an intimate and deeply emotional set of intricately arranged music written around the passing of her mother, and a nonet comprised of some of her favourite musicians that were there for her when she needed them.

Pianist and Dankworth prize-winning composer Lior Solomons-Wise brings his quartet to the Vortex for an evening of captivating original music

Guitarist Hannes Riepler returns to the Vortex with a quartet featuring George Crowley (sax), Freddie Jensen (double bass) & James Maddren (drums).

A special gig which will mark the launch of Tom’s new live album recorded as part of the London Jazz Festival 2024.

United by a shared love of improvisation and the rich musical history of their chosen instrument, the tenor saxophone, Riley Stone-Lonergan and George Crowley come together to explore the possibilities and freedom that the 2 Tenor chordless format offers.

Join us for an intimate and uplifting evening with the Erhan Öztürk Trio, presented by Local & Live in Hackney with the generous support of Hackney Council.

Danny is a British-Spanish jazz pianist and composer based in London, rapidly emerging as one of the rising stars of his generation. Tonight Danny’s trio is joined by special guest and jazz titan Steve Williamson, a trailblazer who has been described as “one of the most distinctive saxophone voices in contemporary British jazz”.

amigxs, get ready to welcome the fall with another night of carefree dancing in the heart of Dalston.
as usual expect a cozy dancefloor, records only, house party vibes, and an inclusive space open to everyone who wants to boogie.

The London Jazz Orchestra continues its 35th season at the Vortex, with trumpeter Miguel Gorodi and singer Brigitte Beraha adding brilliant new compositions to the band’s huge library of original music; reprised are beautiful pieces, premiered last month, by saxophonist Pete Hurt and trumpeter Henry Lowther.

A weekly session on Sunday evenings, the jams will be hosted by some of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson, guitarist Nick Costley-White, trumpeter Sean Gibbs and tenor saxophonists Harben Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan (+ sometimes a few guest leaders) each one hosting one session on rotation.

Mongolian singer Enji presents her newest album Sonor which explores questions of identity and belonging through metaphoric language, vigilant and always hopeful. On stage, Enji performs her new songs in the familiar trio lineup with River Adomeit on bass and co-composer Paul Brändle on guitar.

Introducing “Small Flame,” the enchanting debut solo album from jazz singer and songwriter Nel Begley. This captivating collection of songs has a sound reminiscent of Chet Baker’s easy style and Norah Jones song writing, creating a contemplative and playful listening experience.

A UK jazz super group, Out Front originally formed to play the music of two of jazz’s greatest ‘inside-outside’ composers; Booker Little and Andrew Hill. With roots anchored in the the music of these two masters, they now present sets of entirely original music, composed by multiple members of the band. Tonight’s gig at the Vortex will be the official launch of their debut album ‘Buried Webs’.

Described by the Guardian as “eclectic, eccentric and unobtrusively erudite”, Bruno Heinen is professor of jazz piano and composition at Trinity Laban Conservatoire. His trio tonight features Mercury Music Prize Nominated, fiery bass sensation Tom Herbert and London-based New Yorker Gene Calderazzo on drums, a leading figure on the international jazz scene.

Standards are engaging and accessible for musicians and listeners alike, but nearly all of jazz’s standard repertoire is from a 50 year period ca. 1920 – 1970. Another half century has since passed, where new compositions have not been added to this shared language. Join a collective of musicians who met through the Vortex jazz club […]

Meet Reiss Ellis Beckles: a dynamic saxophonist, composer, and educator. Based in the bustling metropolis of London, Reiss epitomizes versatility and diversity, seamlessly traversing genres from jazz to pop to hip hop with finesse and flair.

This time we are joined by Keyboardist Tom O’Brien presenting his new band; exploring and transforming groove-driven compositions and free improvisations using a colourful palette of sounds and a broad range of textures.

A weekly session on Sunday evenings, the jams will be hosted by some of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson, guitarist Nick Costley-White, trumpeter Sean Gibbs and tenor saxophonists Harben Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan (+ sometimes a few guest leaders) each one hosting one session on rotation.

Queer Jazz exists to platform, nurture and celebrate the emerging queer jazz scene. Programmed by Tina Edwards and Arowah, they have put together an exciting monthly programme of innovative LGBTQI+ artists at The Vortex Jazz Club, supported by Arts Council England.

Kelvin is a new project convened by Dominic Lash to explore some of the lesser-known compositions by Anthony Braxton. Braxton, who recently celebrated his 80th birthday, is one of the most important musicians working at the interface of jazz, creative improvisation, and notated music: he calls himself a “trans-idiomatic performer”.

Award winning pianist and composer Reuben Goldmark leads his trio in a Live EP Recording. Fresh from recording their debut album earlier this year, the band will be premiering new compositions whilst reinventing their back catalogue. The concert will be recorded by Grammy-nominated engineer Sonny Johns and will serve as the foundation for an upcoming EP release.

Award-winning saxophonist and composer Ed Jones returns to the quartet format that first established his presence on the UK jazz scene over 30 years ago.

About Join us for a fun-filled day of learning and jamming at the Vortex! The Nick Costley-White Trio will be leading interactive workshops for young jazz enthusiasts looking to hone their skills. This is a great opportunity to learn from talented musicians and meet other young jazz lovers. Don’t miss out on this exciting event! Guitarist […]

Guitarist Tom Ollendorff returns to the Vortex this October with an all-star trio as part of his highly anticipated album release world tour.

Guitarist Tom Ollendorff returns to the Vortex this October with an all-star trio as part of his highly anticipated album release world tour.

Anyone familiar with Matthew Field will know that staying in one lane isn’t really what he does. As the driving creative force behind Beatenberg, he’s helped shape a whole new music lexicon. Over two albums, the Cape Town-based trio alchemised a new global sound, fusing modern pop production with complex rhythms, lilting indie rock and folk. His work with South African pop maverick Tresor, meanwhile, showed he could take his magpie approach and ear for a winning melody into a whole new sphere.

Mopomoso is the UK’s longest running concert series dedicated to freely improvised music! This month featuring: “Average Dragoons” (a family band) + Julian Woods, Oliver Heron, Mark Wastell + Stephen Grew

A weekly session on Sunday evenings, the jams will be hosted by some of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson, guitarist Nick Costley-White, trumpeter Sean Gibbs and tenor saxophonists Harben Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan (+ sometimes a few guest leaders) each one hosting one session on rotation.

Welcoming and relaxed, come for a drink, sit back and enjoy the music, or bring your horns, sticks and strings to join in during the second set. First set from house band: David Miller (saxophone), Davide Melis (piano), Duncan McKenzie (bass) & Bobby James (drums) followed by a jam session till close. Entry is free […]

Emanuele Filippi is an Italian pianist, composer, and bandleader based in New York. His project Carousel replaces the double bass with bass clarinet, creating lyrical, contrapuntal soundscapes where dreamy atmospheres meet bold experimentation.

Longstanding favourites of the Vortex, Dunajska Kapelye serve up a unique, eclectic blend of authentic Gypsy and Balkan folk, Hotclub jazz, Klezmer and tango.

Gwilym Jones debuts a new piano trio featuring visionary pianist Bruno Heinen and master bassist Larry Bartley. This new band explores the more obscure corners of Thelonious Monk’s collection of compositions, presenting interpretations of rarely heard deep cuts from Monk’s library.

Tim Berne brings a new trio to London featuring himself on alto saxophone, Gregg Belisle-Chi on guitar and Tom Rainey on drums; this is the trio that recorded the incredible Yikes Too album.

Tim Berne brings a new trio to London featuring himself on alto saxophone, Gregg Belisle-Chi on guitar and Tom Rainey on drums; this is the trio that recorded the incredible Yikes Too album.

About Join us for a fun-filled day of learning and jamming at the Vortex! The Nick Costley-White Trio will be leading interactive workshops for young jazz enthusiasts looking to hone their skills. This is a great opportunity to learn from talented musicians and meet other young jazz lovers. Don’t miss out on this exciting event! Guitarist […]

Since Jean Toussaint Left Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, he hasn’t looked back. Nor has he spent a career trying to repeat the past. The experiences gained in that world-class hothouse have enabled him to push forward and embrace challenging and often high-profile musical collaborations in many different jazz styles. Today he works out of London, England as a composer, tenor and soprano saxophonist, band leader and educator.

FUUG are Roberto Cippitelli (Juggernaut), Dave Morecroft (WorldService Project) and Emanuele Tomasi (Nohaybanda).

Award-winning tenor saxophonist Harben Kay celebrates the release of their third album, The World I Live In — out October 3 — a powerful reflection on change and the creativity that emerges in times of transformation.

Filippo Ieraci Trio presents an evening of modern jazz with a distinctive voice. Since coming together in 2020 with Simone Serafini on double bass and Jacopo Zanette on drums, the trio has become a platform for Filippo’s original music—blending the language of jazz with the raw energy of rock and pop, the music that first drew him to the guitar.

Rwandan-born Belgian vocalist and composer Ineza presents IBUKA, her debut album of original music that blends contemporary jazz with neo-soul and folk. Her sound is defined by vibrant harmonies and intimate storytelling, with voice and saxophone in constant conversation. The band’s improvisation adds immediacy and vitality to every performance.

Asha Parkinson makes a rare London appearance with a cut down version of her Kalpadruma ensemble. This sextet line-up features saxophone, qanun, piano, bass, drums, and voice. The group weaves together jazz, Mediterranean, Arabic, and chamber music traditions, creating a space where music crosses cultural boundaries and explores the universal search for love, devotion, and human connection.

Almost three years to the day, one of Ireland’s improvising masters Paul G. Smyth returns with the incomparable pairing of John Edwards and Mark Sanders, marking their 10th anniversary as a trio.

Shabaka is a multi-instrumentalist and composer who came to prominence within the London scene playing bands Sons of Kemet, the Comet is Coming and Shabaka and the Ancestors.