Events

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Lekan Babalola Known for his interpretation of ancient music through African Diaspora influences, Lekan Babalola and The Sacred Funk Quartet bring you an evening of “mesmerizing fusion, skillfully blending cosmopolitan nuances with mystical subtlety."

Two leading lights of the UK contemporary jazz scene, well known as members of the award winning group Empirical, come together for this explosive duo show. Nathaniel Facey (alto saxophone) and Shaney Forbes (drums) will explore the material from John Coltrane's classic record Interstellar Space.

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.

Doors 7:45 PM, Music 8:30 PM – 2 set(s) of music   About Queer Jazz exists to platform, nurture and celebrate the emerging queer jazz scene. Programmed by Tina Edwards […]

ReWired is the new acoustic trio project from acclaimed composer, arranger and pianist, Janette Mason.

Described by the Guardian as “eclectic, eccentric and unobtrusively erudite”, Bruno Heinen joins forces with acclaimed ECM recording artist Tom Challenger to play arrangements of Abdullah Ibrahim, Dorothy Ashby and Leonard Bernstein alongside originals from the co-leaders with fiery young rhythm section of Kobe Heath and Will Cleasby.

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.

An evening of beautiful Eastern European and Gypsy Folk with some Klezmer. The first of a series of live, unplugged & audio inclusive gigs that we’ll be hosting throughout the year in association with Sownd Affects.

Loz Speyer’s Inner Space takes on the music of Outer Space, as composed by the mighty intergalactic bandleader Sun Ra – and arranged from the original piano scores for a new collaboration with two very special guests, Jason Yarde and Marcina Arnold.

A brand new collaboration between Laura Jurd, James Allsopp and Dave Storey featuring Norwegian special guest Magne Thormodsæter on double bass.

Guitarist and composer Karim Saber performs music from his upcoming sophomore album alongside his longstanding band of collaborators.

Niklas Lukassen (GER) unites protagonists of the scenes of Amsterdam, London, Paris and Berlin with Ben Van Gelder (NL), Ivo Neame (UK) and Francesco Ciniglio (IT) in his quartet.

Niklas Lukassen (GER) unites protagonists of the scenes of Amsterdam, London, Paris and Berlin with Ben Van Gelder (NL), Ivo Neame (UK) and Francesco Ciniglio (IT) in his quartet.

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.

Over his career, saxophonist and composer Vaughan Hawthorne-Nelson has crafted an unmistakable sound that is deeply communicative. Tonight he returns to the Vortex for a rare concert from one of most compelling bands on the scene.

“Elchin Shirinov has developed a sound and approach all his own. His writing and piano playing echo another time, yet resonate with a striking modernity. He truly draws a unique sound from the piano, unlocking a full palette of sonic color. This is music worth exploring deeply.” – Larry Grenadier

Noah Stoneman returns to the Vortex with his UK trio to premier brand new music written over the last year in New York. Suprising, dynamic and direct compositions and improvising from these long-time collaborators.

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.