Events

An extraordinary quintet of creative improvisers whose influences and experience span the globe.

Virtuoso jazz French horn player and composer Jim Rattigan brings together some of the finest jazz musicians in the UK to perform music written especially for this Quintet with its unique lineup. 

Occupying a space between drone, ambient and noise music, London duo Bone Folder walk the intersections of sustained, textured sounds.
Hexn is the solo project of Alberto Brunello, Italian musician, painter and tattoo artist based in St. Leonards-on-Sea. His music includes traces of psychedelia alongside primitive techno beats, ritualistic chants and gloomy drones; it feels familiar, yet somehow different.

Trumpeter Byron Wallen returns to the Vortex with his quartet and saxophonist Tom Challenger for a night inspired by and dedicated to the brilliant jazz pianist, composer & Blue Note recording artist Andrew Hill. Byron was a member of Hill’s quintet in the last phase of his career, playing with him until his death in 2007.

“Vortex Lates” is a new series of events taking place in our downstairs bar from 10-1am every 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.

As it approaches 35 years, the LJO’s association with the Vortex – London’s longest jazz residency – is a miracle of longevity, producing great new music, all written by its members, month after month. Though Stan Sulzmann no longer leads the star saxophone section, he continues to write for the band, and this gig will feature his new arrangement of Bella Del Gella by saxophonist (and son) Matt Sulzmann.

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.

Oltremare is a quartet featuring pianist Ivo Neame, saxophonist James Allsopp and drummer Jon Scott performing the music of Italian bassist Andrea di Biase. The band will premiere a new repertoire as they are about to record for their second album.

Queer Jazz programmed by Tina Edwards and Arowah have put together an exciting monthly programme of innovative LGBTQI+ artists at The Vortex Jazz Club, supported by Arts Council England. This month we welcome Reinel Bakole, a defining voice in the avant-garde soul scene with support from producer and singer HANAH.

Following two sell out shows at the Vortex in 2024, the Tom Ollendorff Quartet with Aaron Parks, James Maddren and Conor Chaplin returns to London for two unmissable concerts presenting a brand new set of material.

Following two sell out shows at the Vortex in 2024, the Tom Ollendorff Quartet with Aaron Parks, James Maddren and Conor Chaplin returns to London for two unmissable concerts presenting a brand new set of material.

“Vortex Lates” is a new series of events taking place in our downstairs bar from 10-1am every 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.

Contemporary jazz string trio, J.A.M. “pushing at the boundaries of jazz… delivering walking lines, heavy riffs and rattles and taps” (Financial Times) bring improvising strings to the fore.

Roger Turner and Chris Biscoe have played together since the 1960s, though it’s only in the 2000s that they have regularly gigged. N.O.Moore recently recorded with Roger, and the inspiring soundscape he brings to performance suggested him as a new voice to amplify this enduring partnership.

American Guitarist Ted Morcaldi new dynamic trio in the UK explores compositions inspired by the open forms and sonic architectures of Jon Hassell’s “Fourth World” music contrasted with the foundational element of jazz improvisation and the experimental spirit of Krautrock.

Playing a mixture of original compositions written by each member of the trio.

Our monthly late night series brings songwriters together to perform in the round, hosted by Matthew Herd. This month we welcome Gabi Garbutt, in a rare and intimate solo outing.

Elina Duni and Rob Luft’s programme of songs of love and exile has been gathering momentum since 2017. Together, they take us on a journey through timeless folksongs from the Balkans and the Mediterranean which still resonate so truly today.

“Vortex Lates” is a new series of events taking place in our downstairs bar from 10-1am every 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.

Featuring: Paul Jolly (reeds) and Petra Haller (tap) + Pascal Marzan (10-string micro-tonal guitar) and Jo Dyer (dance) + David Leahy (double bass and movement) solo

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.

Nir Felder has been called “the next big jazz guitarist” (NPR) and a “whiz kid” (The New York Times), fusing jazz, rock, and beyond with a sound that’s both sophisticated and explosive. Tonight, he is joined by first-call American bassist Michael Janisch and Gary Novak, a preeminent all-around drummer and percussionist, brings a genre-defying mastery that blends jazz, metal, and Indian classical music.

Let Forever Be Delayed is a UK based co-led experimental & free-improvising quartet comprised of : George Garford (alto), Tara Cunningham (guitar), Caius Williams (double bass) & Theo Guttenplan (drums)

Renowned jazz development organisation, Tomorrow’s Warriors, shines a spotlight on two of development ensembles for this special double-header at the Vortex. 

Join us for an unforgettable evening with drummer / composer Finn Genockey and his quartet as they perform music from his upcoming debut album: “Tacet Trust”. Featuring the talents of Rasmus Sørensen and Nico Klöffer alongside London-based Josh Short and Finn himself.

‘Poncha’ is Nick Costley-White’s highly-anticipated third album; a deeply personal collection of seven original compositions named after the Portuguese drink ‘punch’. Using a heady brew of cultural influences, his music skilfully blends dance rhythms and playful melodies from Brazil and Cuba with the harmony and swing of American jazz.

Pianist and composer Zoe Rahman’s world class trio will be performing music from her latest album ‘Colour of Sound‘ alongside brand-new compositions.

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.

The Austrian Cultural Forum London is delighted to invite you to this year’s edition of the concert series JazzExchange which aims to spotlight cutting edge Austrian groups and UK based ensembles curated by Guido Spannocchi

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.

Steven Nichols is a London-based trumpeter and composer/arranger. After graduating from the Royal Academy of Music in 2024, he signed with Ubuntu Music to release his debut album ’From Dust’. Tonight his quintet will be performing his ‘From Dust’ project live for the first time since 2022, joined by the same musicians as featured on the album.

The final concert of this year’s series. A celebration of new music by Ashley Bonfante, Julian Woods, Jem Whyte, Tom O’Brien, Jonah Evans and special guests and friends. It’ll be quite a celebration!

Come and hear the great improvisers of the future share their talent in a programme led by Moss Freed and Academy alumnus Chris Williams. This programme represents the culmination of workshops with this special group of Royal Academy of Music students, connected by a keen interest in delving deeper into individual expression and exploring collaborative forms of real-time music-making.

Lockheart/Williams/Davis is a new trio that shifts moment to moment, gracefully and spontaneously stitching together original compositions along with a few well-chosen known songs.

Singer songwriter and vocalist Immy Churchill welcomes you to the Downstairs Living Room as she releases her debut single “Give Me Time To Breathe”. This intimate solo gig will be a sharing of her original songs, both old and new, in celebration of her long-awaited release as a solo artist.

Join us for an evocative evening of traditional and cross-cultural melodies with Suna Alan, a Kurdish Alevi singer whose voice carries the spirit of her ancestral heritage and the cosmopolitan soul of her upbringing.

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.

Maydew/Wickham/Martin-Jones is a jazz trio that ventures into the rich worlds of European folk and classical music, reimagining them through the art of improvisation.

Into his 5th decade of playing regular gigs at the Vortex, Virtuoso Tuba player and inventor of the Orenophone, Oren Marshall brings together two of his favourite (and multiple award-winning) London musicians – saxophonist/composer Josephine Davies and drummer/composer Jay Davis.

Daniel Kemshell and Olly Chalk first met in Birmingham over ten years ago. Since then their friendship and musicianship has blossomed through frequent collaboration.

Rosie Turton, Isobella Burnham, Momoko Gill, Jan Halen and Bridget Walsh create and co-regulate in real time, exploring everything from wildfires to revolution, misogyny to mutual-aid, lullabies to Land Back. Special guest performance from Rosie Frater-Taylor.

High energy free improvisation from a quartet made up of four leading names from the UK and European jazz and improvised music scene.

Whispers of Rain is a bold collaboration between Alina Bzhezhinska and Tulshi, reimagining the harp through the lens of electronics and live sound design. For this special album launch, Alina is joined by the legendary Tony Kofi, whose powerful saxophone voice brings new colours to their soundscape & special guest Hyelim Kim.

Annie Whitehead 4tet & The Orchestra That Fell to Earth.
A very special double-header to celebrate the 70th birthday of world renowned trombonist Annie Whitehead.

“Vortex Lates” is a new series of events taking place in our downstairs bar from 10-1am every 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.

To top off it’s 33rd season at the Vortex, the London Jazz Orchestra celebrates the 75th birthday of phenomenal pianist and composer Pete Saberton, whose unique writing and playing style helped define the sound of the band.