Events

Doors 7:45 PM, Music 8:30 PM – 2 set(s) of music     Line-up:   Leo Richardson – Saxophone Rick Simpson – Piano Dave Whitford – Double bass Joel Waters […]

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.

London’s longest jazz residency kicks off its 35th year, as the LJO preview two new recordings to be released in 2025, featuring music by trumpet legend Henry Lowther and director Scott Stroman.

Doors 7:45 PM, Music 8:30 PM – 2 set(s) of music About Trumpeter, composer, and arranger Sam Eastmond is known for his large ensemble work with John Zorn, he is […]

The trio blend musical influences from their personal heroes, whilst exploring an expansive sound that stretches the boundaries of the traditional trio format with original compositions and creative arrangements.

This new project takes as its starting point the music of Thelonious Monk, Bill Frisell and Paul Motian, exploring the intersection of these artists’ idiosyncratic styles and their take on American musical forms like jazz, blues and folk.

Join this cellicious ride with cellist/jazz singers Kate Shortt and Rupert Gillett as they join forces to express their take on the world of standards, Latin, originals plus more.

Returning to the Vortex Jazz Club on the back of their sold-out show last year, the Jonny Ford Jazz Orchestra is one of the most exciting new large ensembles on the UK jazz scene. Led by saxophonist and composer Jonny Ford, the band brings together the UK’s finest improvising musicians to perform his original compositions, blending intricate layers of orchestral jazz with vibrant energy, exceptional skill, and unwavering passion.

The Fabienne Ambuehl Quartet returns to the Vortex after their sold-out album launch at the club, celebrating the release of Thrive (2025). Expect an evening of poetic, lyrical jazz, where vivid rhythm and improvisation meet folk-inspired melodies.

Jazz influenced, rock induced 9-piece brass band Young Pilgrims have found themselves drawing fans from across Europe and beyond with their intense live performances

A weekly session on Sunday evenings, hosted by four of London’s finest: guitarist Nick Costley-White, Trumpeter Sean Gibbs, pianist Rick Simpson and tenor saxophonists and Riley Stone-Lonergan, each one hosting one session on rotation.

Focussing on the exuberance of art, using craft to search for, to briefly capture, and to express the sheer beauty and terror of being alive, Nathaniel Catchpole, Jamie Coleman, N O Moore, Dominic Lash and Eddie Prévost join forces.

Storytelling lies at the very heart of Nishla Smith’s music making, and since the release of her critically lauded debut album, the evolving circumstances of her own life have provided the inspiration for the stories that lie at the heart of this new collection.

Archie Kidd is a guitarist and composer from the North East of England, now based in London. His original music combines empathetic harmony with enticing melodic content, underlined by a distinctive compositional and improvisational voice.

Shirley Smart’s Sextet draws on a background of 10 years living in Jerusalem and working with the overlapping worlds of jazz, Arabic, Turkish and North African music. Her music draws upon this rich tapestry of influences to create an evening of vibrant melodies, grooves, swing and lively improvisation.

Rebecka Edlund and Nat Philipps open this year’s first season of the Downstairs Living Room series exploring the sound of new beginnings. Inspired by songs of the folk and jazz worlds.

The exciting and versatile drummer Will Cleasby’s subtle but powerful playing has been heard with a wide variety of high profile artists, including work alongside the likes of acclaimed US trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and Kurt Elling.

“Outstanding” is an overused description but one that’s applied to bassist Orlando le Fleming so consistently that its justification can’t be denied. While living in New York he brought his inimitable personality to work on projects for the likes of Branford Marsalis, Joey Calderazzo, Antonio Sanchez and many others.

Mopomoso is the UK’s longest running concert series dedicated to freely improvised music!

A weekly session on Sunday evenings, hosted by four of London’s finest: guitarist Nick Costley-White, Trumpeter Sean Gibbs, pianist Rick Simpson and tenor saxophonists and Riley Stone-Lonergan, each one hosting one session on rotation.

Having been making music together in various forms for around 20 years, James and Misha have finally recorded their long-awaited trumpet-and-bass duo project, and for one night only they are launching their album “Moon Beans” here at the Vortex.

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.

Happy Garden is a nature-inspired, 6-piece nu-jazz band blending lush harmonies, organic grooves, and improvisational freedom. Drawing influence from the natural world, their sound fuses elements of Nu jazz, Afro Rhythms, and beautiful soundscapes to create immersive sonic landscapes.

Di-Cysgodion, led by Welsh bass player/composer HUW V WILLIAMS. The line up consists of Mike De Souza and Billy Marrows both on electric guitar, Jay Davis on drums and Huw V Williams completing the line up on electric bass.

Emma Rawicz returns to the Vortex with an exciting new quartet, featuring some of the most exciting improvisers that Europe has to offer. The band is decidedly international, with heavyweights from across France, Denmark, and the UK, and draws on long term creative relationships as well as establishing a brand new band sound.

At the rhythmic epicentre of innovative British jazz is Corrie Dick, a musician and composer specialising in euphoric, sonically-inventive drumming.

Invitation only preview screening of “Nathaniel Dye: Against The Odds”  – a short documentary by Cath Longbottom. 

A weekly session on Sunday evenings, hosted by four of London’s finest: guitarist Nick Costley-White, Trumpeter Sean Gibbs, pianist Rick Simpson and tenor saxophonists and Riley Stone-Lonergan, each one hosting one session on rotation.

Acclaimed American drummer Jeff Williams, a London resident for two decades until recently, returns to the Vortex with his first project as a leader in the UK since moving abroad.

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 […]

Emerging from the creative London jazz scene, EMRYS are a trio of unique young artists crafting original jazz music. Drawing from a shared love of Jazz, Classical, Choral and Folk music, their immersive compositions inspire flowing musical landscapes inviting reflection and rediscovery.

The George Johnson quartet is one of the most exciting up and coming talents in UK jazz. With Johnson leading the band on tenor saxophone and composing the bands music, they explore many different styles and navigate contrasting atmospheres throughout their sets.

This month’s Whirlpool night is curated by bassist Oli Fitzgerald. He presents a night of his own original music involving his colleagues.

Karim Saber celebrates the release of his second album “Sundance”
“Sundance” is the second offering from Guitarist, Composer and Bandleader Karim Saber. Recorded in January 2025 it captures the creative period since the release of his debut album “Transmission”

Doors 7:45 PM, Music 8:30 PM – 2 set(s) of music   Line-up: Riley Stone-Lonergan – Tenor saxophone Spike Wells – Drums Eddie Myer – Double bass   About QOW […]

Still Waters was born out a long association and friendship going back 40 years between Henry Lowther and Britain’s premiere bassist Dave Green.

Doors 3:30 PM, Music 4:00 PM – 2 set(s) of music The LJO continues London’s longest jazz residency, each month playing great new music to the highest of standards, featuring […]

A weekly session on Sunday evenings, hosted by four of London’s finest: guitarist Nick Costley-White, Trumpeter Sean Gibbs, pianist Rick Simpson and tenor saxophonists and Riley Stone-Lonergan, 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.

Doors 6:45 PM, Music 7:30 PM – 1 set of music   Line-up: Jack Wilson- Saxophone – Tenor saxophone Jakub Klimiuk – Guitar Jack Turnbull – Bass guitar Jack Yardley […]

After a decade-long hiatus, Aquarium return to the stage — the reunion of one of the most distinctive groups to emerge from the UK jazz scene in the last twenty years.

Doors 6:45 PM, Music 7:30 PM – 1 set(s) of music   Line-up: Gloria Yehilevsky – Vibraphone Sam Warner – Trumpet Richard Foote – trombone   About Gloria Yehilevsky’s G […]

Playing tribute to the Leeds alt-jazz pioneer of the 1980s, alto saxophonist Xero Slingsby (Matthew Coe), this performance will feature special guest Alan Wilkinson (from Xero’s band) playing Xero’s original saxophone.

The Downstairs Living room series presents jazz singer and songwriter Emma Taylor. She brings and intimate selection of tunes, drawing from her favourite songwriters in duo form with pianist and composer John Haslam.

Tom is delving into the world of synths – a lifelong love of his being given the full solo treatment in a forward-thinking and endlessly inventive setup.

Join a collective of musicians who met through the Vortex jazz club in imagining future standards

Tony Kofi & 52nd Street: a new project which explores the beginnings of bebop, when New York’s 52nd Street was buzzing with the new music and the first generation of modern jazz musicians was turning the music world on its head.

Expect a cozy dancefloor, records only, house party vibes, and an inclusive space open to everyone who wants to boogie.

A weekly session on Sunday evenings, hosted by four of London’s finest: guitarist Nick Costley-White, Trumpeter Sean Gibbs, pianist Rick Simpson and tenor saxophonists and Riley Stone-Lonergan, each one hosting one session on rotation.

Diarra Walcott-Ivanhoe is a pianist and composer from North London whose lyrical improvisational style and challenging harmonic depth have marked him as a uniquely special musician. His compositions are distinct in their beautifully crafted melodies, and yet there is also a dedication in his playing which speaks to a deep need to push forward and challenge the sound.