Events

Swiss pianist, singer and composer Fabienne Ambuehl brings a trio of her favourite musicians – Tom Ollendorff, Matt Ridley and Jon Scott – to celebrate the release of a new album “Thrive” on Ubuntu Music.

Led by pianist and composer Finn Carter, the members of this group all approach improvising from the same perspective: trying to serve the music and remove the ego from improvising. With credits including Loyle Carner, Sampha, Rex Orange County and Tom Misch, these in-demand players are all technically virtuosic, but the music they create together is more than that; it is sensitive, emotive and synergistic.

Bassist & composer Niklas Lukassen returns to the Vortex with a quartet featuring: Will Vinson (sax), Ivo Neame (piano) & Francesco Ciniglio (drums).

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

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.

Glasshopper welcome being undefined. However, their band leader and Glaswegian saxophonist Jonathan Chung would label their music simply as “Jazz”. The London based trio (a partnership with James Kitchman on guitar and Corrie Dick on drums) have gained wide critical acclaim for their captivating and euphoric live performances, and especially with their latest 2024 post punk/indie jazz release “I’m Not Telling You Anything”.

Saxophonist & composer Tori Freestone returns to the Vortex with her long-time colleagues Tim Giles (drums) and Dave Manington (bass).

For this Valentine’s Special, Heidi teams up with award-winning pianist Bruno Heinen – described by the Guardian as “eclectic, eccentric, unobtrusively erudite” and the acclaimed guitarist James Kitchman; recognised as one of the most distinctive and sought-after jazz guitarists of his generation.

For this Valentine’s Special, Heidi teams up with award-winning pianist Bruno Heinen – described by the Guardian as “eclectic, eccentric, unobtrusively erudite” and the acclaimed guitarist James Kitchman; recognised as one of the most distinctive and sought-after jazz guitarists of his generation.

Our monthly late night series brings songwriters together to perform in the round, hosted by Matthew Herd. February sees the incredible, genre defying Ed Begley bringing some new material to the Vortex with Alex Bonney on trumpet and electronics.

Local & Live in Hackney is a collective of local musicians and artists dedicated to supporting performers and fostering the diverse musical traditions of Hackney and East London. Join us for a captivating evening of music featuring the remarkable duo, Bahar Aksu and Paşa Çelik.

Warm, reflective, open-hearted and lyrical jazz. A Hologram Maze is led by pianist/composer David Austin Grey. The band features a close-knit group of the UK’s finest improvisers, who bring a deep sense of understanding and common purpose to each composition.

“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.

Come & join us for another special Mopomoso featuring Marilza Gouvea (solo voice with small percussion) + Phil Durrant (semi-modular synth/electronics), Colin Webster (alto sax), Andrew Lisle (drums) + Mia Zabelka (violin), Charlotte Keeffe (trumpets)

A CD and record sale to benefit the Vortex. It’s built around a special collection donated to the club in the memory of the late Jon Russell Brown. Of the 2000+ CDs, many of the albums are ONLY to be heard in this format, not on streaming services. All kept in good condition. No CD […]

Our Jazz & Wine evenings curated by Liv Kessler return with a collaboration with Tutto Wines and music from Will Barry, pianist and wine connoisseur.

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.

Award winning composer Tom Niblock returns to the Vortex with his big band featuring many young stars and more established names of the London Jazz scene and beyond. Having won the Dankworth Prize in 2021 and the Eddie Harvey Arranger Award in 2020, the band will be playing his exciting original music alongside inventive arrangements.

Unfortunately, due to illness, we had to postpone this performance of Maddy Coombs. New date to be announced soon!

Following a sold-out downstairs show last September, post-fusion, nu-jazz group Dreamscapes returns to the Vortex this February. Five unique musicians drawing from a melting-pot of influences who transcend genre, producing music with a sense of true freedom.

Led by jazz violin virtuoso Piotr Jordan, Dunajska Kapelye have been delighting audiences at the Vortex for many years. You will hear authentic Balkan and Gypsy folk, Hot Club jazz, Klezmer and the odd blues and jazz standard, all shot through with scintillating improvisation for a seat-of-pants ride through Eastern Europe and beyond.

Bassist, band leader and co-founder of Tomorrow’s Warriors, Gary Crosby OBE brings together his sextet for a night celebrating the legendary jazz innovator and composer Charles Mingus.

“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.

The incredible MOJO Big Band is back at The Vortex for another unforgettable Sunday afternoon of jazz! For this special occasion, they’ll be shining a spotlight on the music of legendary jazz guitarist Pat Metheny and the stunning arrangements by Bob Curnow.

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.

Pianist Elliot Galvin returns to the Vortex presenting his most personal album to date: “The Ruin”. Join us for a memorable evening featuring renowned bassist & vocalist Ruth Goller, virtuoso violinist Mandhira de Saram & Polar Bear drummer Sebastian Rochford.

London-based trio ‘Aspyrian’ are fast gaining a reputation as one of the most ambitious new acts to emerge on the UK jazz scene. As well as drawing inspiration from many contemporary jazz artists, they are influenced by an eclectic mix of soulful songwriters and alternative bands, resulting in an ensemble sound that is captivating and truly unique.

Musician and composer Alasdair Pennington has in recent years established himself as a distinct and creative voice on the drum kit within the London jazz and improvised music scenes.

After experiencing the alienation of the often male-dominated jazz world, 24-year-old saxophonist Jemima Whyte plans to use her opportunity within Vortex Jazz Club’s Whirlpool scheme to support other female creatives and curate an exciting evening featuring her own compositions, improvised music, poetry and art. Working in collaboration with London-based female artist Jess Anderson as well as […]

Red Kite is a pan-European Danish / English / Italian quintet that sits at the intersection of jazz, classical, and electronic music featuring Esben Tjalve (piano), Fulvio Sigurta (trumpet), Hannes Riepler (electric guitar), Jasper Høiby (double bass) & Marc Michel (drums).

Rachael Cohen presents her international Trio New York drummer Jason Brown. Their unique sound is crafted around Cohen’s original music, with carefully selected standards making an appearance shrouded in cleverly written arrangements. A rare opportunity to see this outstanding trio.

Converting Vortex Downstairs into their very own living room, vocalists Rebecka Edlund and Immy Churchill invite you to a night of storytelling through music. With their shared love for songwriting and improvisation, the singers intertwine their unique voices with some of the most exciting musicians in the UK.

Traditional music from Greece in a modern sound world. Mandalakia weaves together the vibrant tapestry of Anatolian and Eastern Mediterranean music.

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

“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.

This month, the London Jazz Orchestra, turns to music created by a range of its current members, including trumpet legend Henry Lowther, saxophonists Tory Freestone, Pete Hurt and Mick Foster, pianist Alcyona Mick, bassist Calum Gourlay and director 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 Helena Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan, each one hosting one session on rotation.

Franco-American pianist Tom Sochas and his trio play The Vortex premiering new Mountain-inspired music from their latest album Facing North, composed in the arctic circle on a small island off the coast of Norway. The show will feature Tom on piano and electronic textures, Theo Malka-Wishart on double bass and Filippo Galli on drums.

Allexa Nava is a saxophonist and composer, originally from Peru. Tonight, she brings her quintet to the Vortex featuring Emile Hinton (piano), Jai Patel (trombone), Matt May (bass) & Cassius Cobbson (drums).

Maria Grapsa’s music is a captivating blend of her Greek heritage, Middle Eastern, folk, Latin influences, and the timeless jazz tradition. For this performance, she is accompanied by a stellar, multi-international ensemble of the UK’s most gifted young musicians, delivering a captivating mix of tracks from her latest album alongside exciting, unreleased material.

Zoh Amba is a young composer, saxophonist, and flutist from Tennessee. Her music blends avant-garde, noise, and devotional hymns. Zoh Amba’s second record “Bhakti” has become the moniker for Amba’s ongoing live and recording ensemble project with ever changing members.

The Vortex Jazz Club invites Christine Tobin to curate an evening of music celebrating the diversity and artistic creativity of her colleagues and friends. The multi-award winning vocalist and composer will devise different combinations from a pool of seven musicians to perform short vignettes intermixing new compositions and old favourites. It will be an evening of musicians taking risks and celebrating the power of improvisation.

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

A new duo featuring two groundbreaking pioneers from the New York avant-garde.