We’re thrilled to host a rare UK performance from one of the leading lights of the NYC Downtown scene, guitarist Elliott Sharp. In the UK to play the magnificent Frontears Festival in Birmingham, Elliott visits the Vortex for a very special two-night residency, each night playing a solo/duo set, plus an ensemble set showcasing Foliage with […]
We’re thrilled to host a rare UK performance from one of the leading lights of the NYC Downtown scene, guitarist Elliott Sharp. In the UK to play the magnificent Frontears Festival in Birmingham, Elliott visits the Vortex for a very special two-night residency, each night playing a solo/duo set, plus an ensemble set showcasing Foliage with […]
ICHI “What on earth is this, it`s brilliant!” Steve Lamacq “Hilarious, bonkers and brilliant”! Lauren Lavern ‘Steel drums, maraca adorned converse, typewriters and ping pong balls all find musical homes during ICHI’s extremely well received set, as the Nagoya native brings his childlike, playful yet intricate melody making ways to Sherwood Forest’ – THE LINE […]
Mopomoso presents an evening featuring four established duos from the finest in free improvisation Phil Minton / John Russell Chris Burn / Matt Hutchinson SQ: Paul Pignon /Thomas Bjelkeborn Jim Dvorak / Harrison Smith Phil Minton (voice) / John Russell (guitar) duo Phil Minton is deservedly acclaimed around the world for his remarkable use of the voice, […]
In a break from their usual programming Mopomoso presents an intriguing concert in two halves, with the first half from the Portfolio Improvisers group and the second featuring three fine guitar players from the UK, France and Canada. Part One – Portfolio Improvisers Seth Bennett (bass) / Shaun Blezard (electronics) / Anton Hunter (guitar) / […]
A double bill of improvised and experimental sounds, full of surprise, invention, subtlety & wit. Charm School: Alan Tomlinson – Trombones. Rachel Musson – Tenor Sax Dave Tucker – Double Bass Jim Lebaigue – Drums & Percussion Plus Veryan Weston The breathtaking virtuoso pianist / improviser / composer will play a solo piano set. Veryon […]
Twelves is a longstanding collaborative project based on the exploratory and the improvised. Twelves create a sound-world taking in elements of swing, odd-time signatures, free improv and alt-country in addition to traditional folk ballads. With a third album awaiting release, tonight they will be playing brand new material as well as some favorites from the […]
“Arguably the most staggering live musician in the country.” – SONNY BAKER, MOJO David Thomas Broughton occupies a contentious position, divides opinion, unsettles, is self-consciously clumsy, hilarious, beautiful but above all memorable. You’ve never seen anything like it before. Walls of noise and layers of beauty interweave and delight at every turn. Many people use […]
Chris Sharkey’s Shiver Chris Sharkey is ‘one of the most exciting guitarists on the UK scene’ (Jazzwise) and has spent the last decade performing in some of the UK’s most cutting-edge yet accessible jazz/improvisation groups such as Acoustic Ladyland and trioVD. With Shiver, Chris sets out to further blur boundaries between improvisation, post-rock and electronica. […]
A night of free jazz and folk out-sounds as Death Shanties launch their brand new LP “Crabs” out on Fuse records. DEATH SHANTIES Death Shanties is a new mixed media balls-to-the-wall Free Jazz group featuring Alex Neilson (drums), Sybren Renema (alto/ baritone sax) and Lucy Stein (painting/ projections). The group combine references to Medieval music, […]
Three nights of cutting edge improvised music directed by guitarist and Mopomoso founder John Russell. Each night will begin and end with a short ensemble piece with all of the musicians, with a changing programme of smaller combinations throughout. Rest assured no two nights will be the same. The Musicians JJ Duerinckx (saxophone) Belgium Alice […]
Three nights of cutting edge improvised music directed by guitarist and Mopomoso founder John Russell. Each night will begin and end with a short ensemble piece with all of the musicians, with a changing programme of smaller combinations throughout. Rest assured no two nights will be the same. The Musicians JJ Duerinckx (saxophone) Belgium Alice Eldridge (cello) […]
This monthʼs Mopomoso programme of free improvised music features musicianʼs from Japan, Belgium, France and the UK in three contrasting and inspiring trios. Run entirely by volunteers Mopomoso plays host to the UKʼs longest running concert series dedicated to free improvisation. Yoko Miura (piano) / Jean Michel van Shouwburg (voice) / Lawrence Casserley (electronics) trio […]
“Can you think of a better saxophone player? I can’t. He is a giant.” Robert Wyatt Evan Parker is one of the great saxophone players, pushing the instrument into uncharted waters since his emergence in the late 1960s. To mark his 70th year, Parker curates a week of performances at the Vortex and Cafe Oto, […]
Rowland’s quartet is a new dynamic group of highly respected musicians merging to create something transcendental, colourful, expansive, otherworldly and deep. Music that is both driven and inventive with the occasional subterraneous excursion. Evocative, worldly explorations of free improvisation, jazz and groove sounds with added inspirations from the Caribbean and India. Ethereal themes converge with […]
A night of experimental sounds featuring two of the most exciting drummers around BLUEBLUT Pamelia Kurstin, theremin Mark Holub, drums Chris Janka, guitar A broken wind up children’s toy, driving drums, theremin and distorted guitar crash together in this fun, madcap debut by three musical powerhouses. Pamelia Kurstin is probably the most recognisable player of the […]
For their EFG London Jazz Festival show Mopomoso have programmed four sets of intrepid music from the freer end of things. Martin Speake (sax) / Mark Sanders (drums, percussion) Martins musical voice expresses a deep understanding of the history and language of jazz, with an individuality as an improviser that’s as intelligent as it […]
Monthly residency of leading saxophonist Evan Parker, a man who has evolved ways and approaches of innovation. With John Edwards (bass), Steve Noble (drums)
Freedom has settled in its new home at The Vortex – and enters a new phase its evolution as the Loft-style sessions grow Known for its wild, totally free evenings of challenging and up-lifting improvisations which have consistently united a cross cultural and cross generational posse of players, Freedom will continue to pursue the promise of legendary associations […]
Helena Kay’s KIM trio: Helena Kay Tenor Sax, Misha Mullov Abbado Double Bass, David Ingamells Drums Charlotte Keeffe with BTF Allstars: Charlotte Keeffe Trumpet/ Flugel horn Deirdre Cartwright Guitar Alison Rayner Double Bass Buster Birch Drums The final event of the acclaimed Blow the Fuse series ‘Tomorrow the Moon V’, celebrating women-led, cross-generational jazz projects. […]
George Colligan (piano) Jon Irabagon (saxophone) Michael Janisch (bass) Andrew Bain (drums) Following on from their highly successful 2016 UK tour, drummer/composer/bandleader Andrew Bain’s Embodied Hope Quartet return in April 2018 to release his debut album as a leader on Whirlwind Recordings. Taking jazz as a metaphor for positive change in the world, and […]
World premiere. Swedish-Norwegian drummer Anton Eger (Phronesis, Marius Neset) has made his mark as one of the most cutting-edge musicians in all of Europe.
Free-Improvising ensemble Speckles Brass collaborate with master pianist Alexander Hawkins; expect a wild diversity of sounds and fiery expression.
ERIS136199 Lineup: Han-earl Park (guitar), Catherine Sikora (saxophone) Nick Didkovsky (guitar) The group Eris 136199 was formed in New York in 2012 and is the quick-reacting cyborg virtuosity of Han-earl Park (Sirene 1009), the mighty melodic imagination and big tenor sound of Catherine Sikora (Clockwork Mercury), and the diamond-cut precision and grind-meets-experimentalism of Nick Didkovsky […]