Events

Ivo Neame’s “Dodeka” is a special, new band formed in 2022 performing original music written by Neame.

Ivo Neame’s “Dodeka” is a special, new band formed in 2022 performing original music written by Neame.

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.

Diarra Walcott-Ivanhoe is a pianist and composer from North London. His quintet performs his own compositions which draw inspiration from man of his personal experiences, exploring themes of loss, memory and belonging.

New quartet Lophae (pronounced “lo-fi”) launch their debut LP ‘Perfect Strangers’ with this rare live show. Guitarist and composer Greg Sanders – known for his work with Juanita Euka and Teotima – brings a unique aesthetic and an unmistakable feel to every musical setting he appears in. To form Lophae (pronounced Lo-fi), Sanders calls on three of his favourites: drummer Ben Brown, bass player Tom Herbert and saxophonist Sam Rapley.

London based guitarist and composer David Preston returns to the Vortex with a quartet featuring: Jonny Mansfield (vibraphone), Conor Chaplin (double bass) and Marc Michel (drums).

A lauded master on the European Jazz scene, Paul Dunmall celebrates his 72nd birthday with this specially invited Sextet. Multi generational and drawing from a wide variety of inspirations this particular ensemble is well suited to Dunmall’s program for this concert.

“A saxophonist who embodies and transcends tradition” (The New York Times), James Brandon Lewis has become, in just over a decade, one of the most celebrated young artists in jazz. Tonight, his live trio featuring electric bassist Josh Werner and drummer Gerald Cleaver celebrates the release of his new album “Apple Cores”.

“A saxophonist who embodies and transcends tradition” (The New York Times), James Brandon Lewis has become, in just over a decade, one of the most celebrated young artists in jazz. Tonight, his live trio featuring electric bassist Josh Werner and drummer Gerald Cleaver celebrates the release of his new album “Apple Cores”.

The LJO continues London’s longest jazz residency, featuring the music of multi-instrumentalist Mick Foster. Mick, who underpins the band with his luxurious bari sax sound, has produced many great pieces for the band, and this month they shine alongside music by star soloists Henry Lowther and Pete Hurt, lead trumpet Noel Langley, Josephine Davies, and director Scott Stroman.

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.

Vasilis Xenopoulos and Paul Edis began playing together 20 years ago, when they had both relocated to West London to study. Originally from Greece, Vasilis had just finished studying at Berklee College in the US, whilst Paul had moved South from the Northeast of England.

Theatralia is a passionate journey and celebration of women in the arts, seamlessly blending music and improvisation with spoken word, masks, and comic sketches. It showcases new compositions written in collaboration with Steve Lodder and Charlie Pyne, alongside fresh arrangements of tunes from her extensive repertoire and international collaborations.

Renowned for his boundary-pushing compositions and commanding saxophone voice, David Binney leads this thrilling trio alongside James Maddren (drums) and Freddie Jensen (bass). A prolific force in modern jazz, Binney brings his signature blend of intensity and lyricism to an evening of fearless improvisation and deep musical conversation.”

Our monthly late night series brings songwriters together to perform in the round, hosted by Matthew Herd. This month we welcome Ormella, with her incredible voice and beautiful, haunting songs.

“Vortex Lates” is a new series of events taking place in our downstairs bar from 10.30pm-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.

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.

Following the first live recording session of  ORBIT: On the Wings of Freedom in November 2024, tap dancer and bandleader Petra Haller returns to the Vortex Jazz Club with the second chapter: ORBIT: The Fierce Urgency of Now. Taking place on May 13th, this concert will once again be recorded live, contributing to an upcoming album set for release in late 2025 or early 2026.

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.

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.

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.

A newly formed ensemble from London based guitarist and composer Matt Hurley, that aims to combine delicately written melodic themes, ambient drones and open group improvisations. With a unique instrument lineup to work with, the compositions take influence from the likes of Tim Berne, John Lurie, Terry Riley, Paul Bley and John Surman

London-based alto saxophonist Reiss Ellis Beckles is set to take the stage alongside a stellar rhythm section featuring Lorenzo Morabito (double bass) and Oliver Sarkar-Samuels (drums). This special performance will also highlight the acclaimed New York pianist David Berkman as the featured artist for the evening.

the first of many nights of carefree dancing in the heart of Dalston, swaying to anything from global beat, funk, or electronica as long as it keeps up to the groove.

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.

Maverick science meets its match with The Noonan Trio’s first album, Inherit a Memory. The combo explores the outer boundaries of musical radicalism, speculatively blending new music, free improvisation, and rhythmic storytelling. The Noonan Trio features Sean Noonan on drums and vocals, pianist Matthew Bourne and double bassist Michael Bardon.

Led by violinist Matt Holborn alongside guitarist Harry Diplock, The London Django Collective is a project born to create a place for musicians in London influenced by the musical legacy of the great Django Reinhardt.

Kourosh Kanani and Matt Davies are redefining the boundaries of contemporary music by weaving the rich traditions of Iran, India, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Kurdistan into a modern jazz tapestry.

Tom McCredie returns to the Vortex for a deeply personal performance, bringing together a band shaped by years of shared history and musical growth. Having played the venue many times over the years with artists such as Rob Luft and the late, great Keith Tippett, this special evening sees Tom drawing on long-standing friendships and cherished compositions to create something truly meaningful.

Heidi Vogel vocalist with The Cinematic Orchestra returns to the Vortex with her band featuring Liam Noble (piano), Kobe Heath (double bass) & Jon Scott (drums).

Reimagining jazz repertoire for the 21st century.

Deschanel Gordon, the 2020 BBC Young Jazz Musician winner has collaborated with artists including Mark Kavuma, Cassie Kinoshi’s Seed, Nubya Garcia, Courtney Pine, Ezra Collective, Jean Toussaint, Patrick Bartley and Joe Farnsworth. His music embodies swing, groove, and his Jamaican heritage.

Joined by Sam Ingovrsen (bass) and Noah Ojumu (drums), the club invites pianist Olly Chalk back for another ‘Vortex Lates’ show. Expect a night of shining off-the-beaten track Great American Songbook classic and Chalk’s distinctive original compositions. 

Featuring: Musical Mudlarks: Adrian Northover (soprano) Phil Minton (voice) Adam Bohman (amplified objects) + Kay Grant (voice), Daniel Thompson (guitar), Ian McLachlan (trombone) + Mike Walter (saxophones), Gabriel Keen (piano) + Paul Pignon (saxophone synth)

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 Glenn Charles Trio blends sophisticated jazz with deep emotional resonance, drawing inspiration from some of the genre’s most revered artists, including John Taylor, Peter Erskine, Alan Pasqua, and Aaron Parks.

For his Whirlpool series concert, multi-instrumentalist and composer/arranger Julian Woods presents Sensations of Tone, a set of brand new original compositions and arrangements which explore different ways in which music can relate to the physical processes of sound production.

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.