Events

Following their packed debut in May, Bone Folder return to the Vortex, this time presenting a set from Cambridge heavy improv trio Welkin.

Saxophonist Jean Toussaint presents a special edition of his quintet JT5.
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.

Reimagining jazz repertoire for the 21st century.

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.

Featuring: dj angel wings b2b with aloisius, who will leave a kiss upon every petals forehead on the wing of your heart Cajm, who will leave a kiss on the wind Damsel Elysium, who will leave a kiss by the door and on the window + the sweet voices of: Coby Sey, Imvn, Camelia, Shauwdii 

Stan Brunt is an award-winning jazz guitarist, arranger and composer leading a new project which explores the space created by having just guitar as the chordal instrument, focusing heaving on improvisation and textural changes.

Billy Pod is an award-winning Greek drummer/musician based in London. His debut album “Drums to Heal Society” that was released in 2019 has not just given Vasileios Podaras (aka Billy Pod) a prominent position among the new generation of drummers internationally but also demonstrated his compelling skills as a composer and music ensemble director.

Award winning vibraphonist and composer Jonny Mansfield brings his quartet for a special show at the Vortex featuring the incredible Emmanuel Michael.

With the Julian Siegel Quartet, the BBC Jazz Award winning saxophonist and composer Julian Siegel can be heard alongside some of this generation’s most distinctive voices, creating an in-demand Quartet on the UK and European Jazz scene.

Pianist/composer Hans Koller joins forces with double bassist Calum Gourlay, fellow founder member of the Monk repertoire band Thelonious, and with the unique saxophone virtuoso Tony Kofi, plus the amazing young drummer Noah Ojumu in a celebration of the music of Thelonious Monk.

Liminal is a London/ Bristol based band, presenting a unique blend of deconstructed elements from rock, jazz, americana and electronic music with the experimental sensitivities of long-form collective electroacoustic improvisation.

The London Jazz Orchestra, one of London’s musical treasures, opens its 35th season at the Vortex featuring the music of one of the great jazz writers, tenor saxophonist Pete Hurt.  A long-serving members of the band, Pete is an outstanding soloist and composer of numerous pieces for the LJO.

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.

Hong Kong-born jazz guitarist and composer Kurtis Li invites you to an intimate evening at Vortex Jazz Club, featuring selections from his acclaimed debut album In Bloom alongside new original compositions.

Rick Simpson presents his first Piano Trio project. This is a trio that thrives on freedom and interaction. Original tunes and inventive arrangements become launching points for improvisation, with the band slipping effortlessly from one piece into another.

Longtime collaborators Jessica Ackerley (guitar) and Eli Wallace (piano) will team up with UK improvising pioneers Rachel Musson (sax) and Mark Sanders (drums). Marking their second time playing in London and at Vortex, Ackerley and Wallace are ecstatic to explore new, spontaneous musical territory with Musson and Sanders, a cross-Atlantic meeting that draws upon the singular output of each musician and the collective improvised vernacular they share.

The trio present a buoyant and elusive jazz, driven by referential investigation and an unorthodox approach to the warp and phase of rhythm.

Our monthly series brings together some of the most prominent voices in contemporary songwriting, hosted by Matthew Herd. This month we welcome Ella Clayton with her beautiful, nuanced songs and singularly enchanting voice.

Frost and Marrows come together with a brilliant rhythm section of Huw V Williams on double bass and Ollie Peszynski on drums in this co-led band to perform a selection of their own compositions as well as some their favourite music from celebrated jazz musicians/composers including Paul Motian, Keith Jarrett and Joe Zawinul.

John Etheridge’s reputation in the jazz world cannot be overstated. A genuinely virtuosic fusion guitarist, Etheridge is one of a handful of players who can claim to have helped shape the character of modern jazz guitar.

“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.

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.

Like minded improvises meeting again for the second time downstairs at the vortex for responsibly controlled chaos.

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.

Featuring Sacha Harlan (drums), Tom Challenger (tenor saxophone), Caius Williams (double bass) & Tom O’Brien (piano)

Join us for an unforgettable night of jazz as two of London’s premier saxophonists, Denys Baptiste and Tony Kofi, reunite to present a powerful new project.

Emerging from the Vortex’s Future Standards community, the quintet returns with an afternoon set of original compositions. Blending a diverse range of styles and influences – from hard bop and Third Stream to reggae and drum & bass – this is a chance to experience the beating heart of East London’s new jazz scene. Featuring Santiago Horro on bass, Eric Lounsbury on trumpet and flugelhorn, Drummond Moir on guitar, Paulina Szczepaniak on drums and Cheng Xie on piano.

The return of legendary British trumpet player Henry Lowther and his ‘Still Waters’ band feat. Pete Hurt (tenor saxophone), Barry Green (piano), Dave Green (double bass) and Paul Clarvis (drums).

“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.

This month featuring: Gwendolyn Kassenaar with Hyelim Kim & Maurizio Ravalico + Homecoming: Laure van Minden with Michelle Brace &Chris Dowding + Jakub Rokita, Tomasz Glazik & Viv Corringham

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.

Cellist, composer and MacArthur Fellow Tomeka Reid explores new improvisational math with 3+3, the third release by her all-star quartet and her most adventurous project as a leader yet. Featuring Jason Roebke on bass, Tomas Fujiwara on drums, and fellow MacArthur Fellow Mary Halvorson on guitar.

Cellist, composer and MacArthur Fellow Tomeka Reid explores new improvisational math with 3+3, the third release by her all-star quartet and her most adventurous project as a leader yet. Featuring Jason Roebke on bass, Tomas Fujiwara on drums, and fellow MacArthur Fellow Mary Halvorson on guitar.

Tonight, Lucid Dreamers are launching their much-anticipated 3rd album. Led by celebrated vocalist Brigitte Beraha, and drawing from jazz, folk, contemporary classical, free improv and electronic sound-worlds, the brilliant quartet improvises with spontaneity and playfulness, using Brigitte’s compositions as a vehicle. Expect exciting grooves and impactful stillness, atmospheric, entrancingly ethereal, drop-dead beautiful music.

Webster and Lisle’s energetic free jazz meets Larsen and Goller’s post-rock, noise guitars in an exciting interaction that is dynamic, playful and hard-hitting.

Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, Pete Horsfall is no longer able to perform this coming Thursday at the Vortex. However, his band members Will Barry & Will Sach will still be performing and will be joined by Jason Brown on drums

Finn Genockey is a jazz drummer, composer and bandleader based in London. Since starting drums at the age of 6, Finn has had plenty of experience performing regularly with some of the most notable jazz artists such as Rufus Reid and Stan Sulzmann

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”.