Events

Acknowledged as one of the UK’s most versatile and creative cellists, trailblazing cellist and composer 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

Playing original music composed by each member of the group, this trio constantly weaves in and out of improvisation. An international trio comprised of Dave Smith(UK)-drums, Robin Fincker(FR)-tenor saxophone/clarinet and Simon Jermyn(IRL)-electric bass.

Marcus a talented alto saxophonist, has created a heavy groove driven show that is loaded with funky breaks, wicked rhythm sections that make you wanna get up and dance. His Jazz takes influences from his Jamaican heritage and connects with the audience through hip hop & spoken word.

Multi award-winning jazz vocalist, lyricist and producer, Georgia Mancio, is a supreme storyteller and committed communicator for our times, creating work of beauty and bite. Tonight, she returns to the Vortex with a quartet feat. Kate Williams (piano), Julie Walkington (double bass) and Dave Ohm (drums)

Come & join us for yet another super special Mopomoso featuring: Alistair Zaldua (violin) & Lauren Redhead (piano, spoken word) + Paulina Owczarek (saxophones) & Witold Oleszak (prepared piano, objects) + John Bissett (lapsteel), Jem Finer (hurdy gurdy), Hywell Jones (euphonium) & Luigi Marino (percussion)

A weekly session on Sunday evenings, hosted by four of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson and tenor saxophonists Helena Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan, each one hosting one session on rotation.

Free improvisation dates back to Ornette Coleman and Joe Harriett at the end of the 50s. After 70 years, is it innovative or just a cul-de-sac which only will ever appeal to limited audiences? Though perhaps it’s where the music can open to other art forms. It is again playing an increasing role in the […]

An evening of music celebrating the music of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers. Expect some well known favourites and a few less commonly played tunes as we spend an evening with one of the iconic figures of 20th century jazz.

Emilia’s quartet will present an eclectic set of songs ranging from original compositions from Emilia’s albums ‘Ana’ and ‘Loredana’ to jazz standards and classics by Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, and Rikki Lee Jones as well as some of Emilia’s favorite ancient Swedish Folk songs.

Acclaimed Australian piano trio TRICHOTOMY return to the Vortex after too long an absence. Last in the UK with their album ‘Known/Unknown’ in 2017, the group now tour with a brilliant new release TO VANISH.

Annie Whitehead returns to the Vortex with her quartet feat. Steve Lodder (piano), Jennifer Maidman (bass) & Liam Genockey (drums)

Tonight, guitar legend John Etheridge brings to the Vortex a trio featuring drum star Ian Thomas (Mark Knopfler ,Eric Clapton etc) and long term Blue spirits partner Pete Whittaker (organ).

A weekly session on Sunday evenings, hosted by four of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson and tenor saxophonists Helena Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan, each one hosting one session on rotation.

Azalea Arts Variety Show at the multi award-winning *Vortex Jazz Club in Dalston*  Art Literature Music and Dance – Join Us for this Special Event on *Monday April the 3rd 2023* Tickets selling fast This is not specifically a Jazz night but a multimedia platform filled with a range of *entertainment and artistic expression* to […]

All too often, we have serious jazz fans here at the Vortex who can’t cope with singers! What might be their problem and how might be rectifiable? Or are they right? In this week’s discussion it would be good to get some who believe this! The discussions, hosted by Oliver Weindling, Vortex director, are open […]

Nurture The Child / Challenge The Adult’ features immersive and thought provoking original contemporary jazz by a quartet of highly acclaimed musicians, led by guitarist Harry Christelis. It is the quartet’s debut recording, and is the first release for new contemporary music label, Clonmell Jazz Social.

More info coming soon.

The beauty, intimacy and creativity of the duo comes to the fore in this exquisite combination of singer Sara Colman and pianist Rebecca Nash.
Their long-standing relationship has honed a musical intuition that produces the misleadingly easy sounding but musically adventurous story telling of all good singer-musician relationships.

Australian/UK saxophonist and composer Brandon Allen’s new groove project. The group performs brand new contemporary jazz/groove compositions as well as fresh interpretations of unheard material from Brandon’s previous funk outfit (Double Whisky Amnesia), rearranged specifically for this lineup.

Byron Wallen returns to the Vortex to perform with his quartet ‘Four Corners’. Featuring guitarist Rob Luft, bassist Paul Michael and drummer Rod Youngs.

A weekly session on Sunday evenings, hosted by four of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson and tenor saxophonists Helena Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan, each one hosting one session on rotation.

We’re delighted to have play a musician who reflects the depth and range of Ethiopian musicianship. Signed to Peter Gabriel’s Real World Records, and best known for his work with fusion collective Dub Colossus, Yirga, who grew up in the capital of Ethiopia and the centre of the heady mix of music known as Ethiojazz, […]

UBy now, almost all jazz is created by musicians who are professionally educated.  But how do we prevent audiences being left behind? The music is often clever and sophisticated. Is that potentially offputting for a music that is already relatively niche? The mainstream press has become more dismissive. Meanwhile most social media may or be […]

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

The James Allsopp Quartet is the new project from the BBC Jazz award winning saxophonist. The band builds on the joyful and haunting melodies that characterise his music and combines them with deep bass riffs and a sense of swing rooted in the jazz tradition but not beholden to it.

ONe_Orchestra New is a large group of improvising musicians brought together by Caroline Kraabel and made up of women, non-binary people and trans people, exploring improvisation and identity.

Multi-award winning young saxophonist and composer Emma Rawicz returns to the Vortex with her quartet featuring Ivo Neame (piano), Conor Chaplin (bass) & Marc Michel (drums).

***NEW SHOW JUST ADDED***

A weekly session on Sunday evenings, hosted by four of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson and tenor saxophonists Helena Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan, each one hosting one session on rotation.

Come and join us for an evening of jazz, colour, dance and poetry around the theme of Illusion.

Vocalist Heidi Vogel brings her quartet feat. Will Barry (piano), Tom Farmer (bass) and Shane Forbes (drums) for a night of Cuban and Brazilian Bossa Nova.

Tom will be joined on stage by a group of exceptional musicians. The quintet will present a captivating setlist that includes original compositions from Tom’s repertoire, exploring the boundaries of jazz while paying tribute to its rich heritage.

A double bill featuring an improvised set from rebecka edlund, christos stylianides & olly chalk + Swiss skaterjazz trio UASSYN

Grammy nominated, New York City based vibraphonist & composer Simon Moullier has distinguished himself as one of the leading voices of his generation and became recognized for his entirely new approach and sound on the instrument.

Come & join us for yet another super special Mopomoso feat. Benedict Taylor & Yves Charuest + George Haslam & Marcio Mattos + Viv Corringham solo + Daniel Cano, Andrea Di Biase & Dave Storey

A weekly session on Sunday evenings, hosted by four of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson and tenor saxophonists Helena Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan, each one hosting one session on rotation.

Martin and Alcyona have been playing  together for many years in the London Jazz Orchestra. This more intimate quartet setting features Martin’s music, drawing on many influences, with melody as the driving force.

“In At The Deep End.” An informal evening of chat and music downstairs with guitarist John Etheridge, one of the leading and influential UK guitarists for over 50. (And a performer at the Vortex for 35 of those!) It’s a chance to meet with John, quiz him and hear his thoughts. He’s played with all […]

We seem to have more recordings than ever. But too many? There is more recorded music around than ever. Is that because we have more musicians with something to say? Should these recordings be made live or in studios? It’s possible that the pandemic led to the need for this outlet, because we didn’t have […]

A stunning close-harmony group of 8 young solo voices in the tradition of the Singers Unlimited, New York Voices and Swingle Singers, based at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and directed by Scott Stroman.

Fresh from recording his debut album, guitarist and composer Karim Saber returns to the Vortex accompanied by his band of long-term collaborators. This concert will feature music from the upcoming album as well as select compositions from the other performers.

A one-off gig featuring the music of Matt Carmichael alongside an exciting line-up of new collaborators.

His debut album ‘Purple / Black’ featuring Kit Downes, Sebastian Rochford and Kevin Glasgow is due for release in April 2023 on Whirlwind Recordings.