Events

Born out of Tony Kofi & Alex Webb’s shared love of Ellington, The Pocket Ellington manages what ought to be impossible – creating a classic Ellingtonian sound with just four horns & a rhythm section. But with Kofi, Alan Barnes, Andy Davies and David Lalljee on hand, anything is possible. Veteran bassist Dave Green and powerhouse drummer Winston Clifford provide the swing.

A weekly session on Sunday evenings, the jams will be hosted by four of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson, tenor saxophonists Helena Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan (+ a few guests), each one hosting one session on rotation.

Join the Andrew Linham Jazz Orchestra for their ‘Christ-Mess Extravaganza’ as they are welcomed back to the Vortex this festive season with original big band music composed by enigmatic leader and baritone saxophonist Andrew Linham.

Alexandra Ridout brings a fantastic group of young musicians, all of which are thriving young musicians on the NYC scene, apart from the UK's very own Freddie Jensen.

Fini Bearman, Liam Noble and George Crowley come together for this memorable performance to explore much-loved songs from some of the great vocalists & songwriters of the last century, including Betty Carter and Sarah Vaughan to Adrianne Lenker & Paul Simon.

A weekly session on Sunday evenings, the jams will be hosted by four of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson, tenor saxophonists Helena Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan (+ a few guests), each one hosting one session on rotation.

The sensational vocalist Vimala Rowe joins guitar legend John Etheridge's Blue Spirits (Pete Whittaker (organ) and George Double(drums) for a post Christmas treat of jazz, blues and global music.

We are delighted to welcome back Ian Shaw for his traditional New Year’s Eve performance.

Come and celebrate the arrival of 2025 with the Procrastinators' customary laid back party. The one you are under no pressure to enjoy. Led by award winning reed player, singer and pianist Ewan Bleach the musical genius behind much of the swing dance and vintage jazz in London.

Roella is a British multi-instrumentalist, performer and composer of Nigerian and Jamaican heritage. Tonight, she brings her trio to the Vortex featuring Rio Kai (double bass) & Andee Liu (drums).

Award winning virtuoso jazz guitarist, composer and bandleader Miles Mindlin returns to the Vortex with a quartet featuring Noah Stoneman (piano), Freddie Jensen (bass) & Jack Thomas (drums).

Join us for a memorable night with a quartet featuring 4 Vortex familiar faces: Miguel Gorodi (trumpet), Nick Costley-White (guitar), Oli Hayhurst (bass) & Dave Ingamells (drums)

Talkline represents the musical collaboration between vocalist and vibraphone player Amy Hollingsworth and pianist Will Hobson.

A trio of extraordinary improvisers: Tom Chant (saxophone), John Edwards (double bass) & Eddie Prévost (drums).

Saxophonist Julian Siegel returns to the Vortex with his quartet featuring Liam Noble (piano), Oli Hayhurst (double bass) & Gene Calderazzo (drums).

Our monthly late night series brings songwriters together to perform in the round, hosted by Matthew Herd. We're hugely excited to welcome the remarkable James Brute as he returns to his East London stomping ground.

Returning to his first instrument the Alto Saxophone, Tony Kofi joins the Organisation for a celebration to alto legend Lou Donaldson, whose roots in Bebop evolved into a mastery of the Soul Jazz movement instigated by the great Jimmy Smith and championed by Blue Note founder Alfred Lion.

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 Helena Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan, each one hosting one session on rotation.

out of lockdown reflection time, emerged this unique and exhilarating trio a musical collaboration between a star singer of irish music with two of the most sought after UK jazz stars.

Luís Vicente, Olie Brice, Mark Sanders are three resourceful and strong-minded improvisers, playing their own version of free-fiery music with an impressive organic interplay. Tonight will be their first meeting with special guest Philipp Wachsmann, one of the finest improvising violinists in the world.

A debut gig of a new ensemble playing all new music penned by Simpson. Expect lots of freedom and joyous noise from a band of some of the UK's most exciting musicians. 

Guitarist Hannes Riepler returns to the Vortex with a quartet featuring Donovan Haffner (sax), Niklas Lukassen (double bass) & Tim Giles (drums).

Saxophonist and composer Trish Clowes has been described as “an improviser to be reckoned with” (Downbeat Magazine) and “one of the most agile and original jugglers of improv and adventurous composition to have appeared in the UK in recent times” (The Guardian).

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 Helena Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan, each one hosting one session on rotation.

Recipients of the 2023 Peter Whittingham Jazz Award , Ferg's Imaginary Big Band make a rare appearance in the capital and their first appearance at The Vortex. Known for their raucous live shows and bombastic arrangements, don’t miss this opportunity to see one of the UK’s most exciting jazz ensembles live!

Recipients of the 2023 Peter Whittingham Jazz Award , Ferg's Imaginary Big Band make a rare appearance in the capital and their first appearance at The Vortex. Known for their raucous live shows and bombastic arrangements, don’t miss this opportunity to see one of the UK’s most exciting jazz ensembles live!

A new collaboration between two highly experienced artists to create a new song. Musical explorations that combine their unique experiences from working with a vast array of different musicians on the international scene.

Kris Davis is a Grammy award-winning pianist and composer described by The New York Times as a beacon for “deciding where to hear jazz on a given night.” We are thrilled to welcome her trio to the Vortex to present her new album "Run the Gauntlet", featuring bassist Robert Hurst (known for his work with Branford Marsalis, Kenny Kirkland, Geri Allen) and drummer Johnathan Blake (know for his work with Kenny Barron, Dave Holland, Tom Harrell). Exclusive UK date.

Kris Davis is a Grammy award-winning pianist and composer described by The New York Times as a beacon for “deciding where to hear jazz on a given night.” We are thrilled to welcome her trio to the Vortex to present her new album "Run the Gauntlet", featuring bassist Robert Hurst (known for his work with Branford Marsalis, Kenny Kirkland, Geri Allen) and drummer Johnathan Blake (know for his work with Kenny Barron, Dave Holland, Tom Harrell). Exclusive UK date.

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 Helena Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan, each one hosting one session on rotation.

Donovan Haffner Quintet was formed by playing together at Guildhall School of Music when Donovan was just 18 years old. The band featuring Francisco Garcia De Paredes (guitar), Jay Verma (piano), Harry Pearce (double bass) & Harry Ling (drums) plays originals written by Donovan, which comprises of straight-ahead, neo-bop, and contemporary.