Shirley Smart Trio featuring Bruno Heinen on piano with special guests to be announced. Seriously jazzy Eastern-flavoured music! Shirley Smart After 10 years living in Jerusalem, Shirley Smart now lives in London, where she has quickly established herself on the jazz and world music scenes, performing at festivals including Songlines Festival, BBC Radio 3 In Tune, […]
Barb Jungr: Hard Rain – the songs of Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen “a four star show built around her enthralling collection of songs by Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen.” The Times We’re delighted to welcome Barb Jungr back for the London leg of her tour celebrating the 2014 release of HARD RAIN through Absolute […]
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, […]
Tutors: Yvette Riby-Williams and Bruno Heinen Led by the world renowned ‘Boxettes’ singer Yvette Riby-Williams and critically acclaimed pianist and composer Bruno Heinen, this week will be a fun, friendly crash course in song writing, song interpretation and vocal technique. Aimed at singers aged 15 and up, we will be looking at how to interpret […]
For her Vortex concert tonight Susanna plays with her trio: Susanna on vocals and piano Helge Sten (Supersilent/Deathprod) on guitar Fredrik Wallumrød (former Span, El Caco) on drums and vocals. Susanna is the Norwegian singer and founder of the duo Susanna and the Magical Orchestra, founded in 2000 with keyboard player Morten Qvenild. Active for […]
Mechanical Moon Mechanical Moon present an eclectic song cycle based on poems by the great American poet Elizabeth Bishop, combining elements of jazz, folk and storytelling. This project, the first by singer-songwriter Erica Jarnes, aims to cross the boundaries between poetry and music, and between the inner and outer worlds of human experience. Expect to […]
The Cinematic Orchestra vocalist, Heidi Vogel has worked with Isaac Hayes, F-ire Big Band, The Brand New Heavies, Cleveland Watkiss, Eska and others. Tonight performs material from her debut solo album, ‘Turn it Up’. “She’s got an extraordinary voice….an incredible range to her voice and such a texture to it as well. You’ll really enjoy the album, […]
We’re very excited to welcome this band back to The Vortex, with their fantastic energy and kaleidoscopic musical influences, every show they do is absolutely spellbinding. Kefaya is a musical collective founded by UK-based musicians, Giuliano Modarelli and Al MacSween. Through collaborations with artists from around the world, they have developed a unique voice that […]
The Vortex moves outside into Gillett Square for a celebration of all things Summer. With live music during the day, moving into the Vortex for the evening until late. Pop next door to the Bradbury Street Party for games, contemporary & home made food, good art, African cuisine, funky soul grooves, great shopping & loads more. 2pm Performances […]
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) […]
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) […]
The wonderful London Klezmer Quartet are having a party to celebrate their new CD. Due out in September, their third album features the extraordinary voice of Indra Buraczewska, the band’s Australian bass player. Tonight hear her “vast, singular contralto” Sydney Morning Herald, as well as Susi Evans (clarinet), Ilana Cravitz (fiddle) and Carol Isaacs (accordion) […]
The Vortex welcomes Evan Parker for his monthly residency EVAN PARKER saxophone A major force in European improvising, Evan Parker has collaborated with everyone from Cecil Taylor, Paul Bley & Anthony Braxton, to Scott Walker, Robert Wyatt and Squarepusher. He is one of Europe’s most innovative and intriguing saxophonists, which is why he keeps audiences […]
Tutor: Gundula Gruen Who is it for? All ages –children below 13 must be accompanied by an adult Anybody who loves to sing – no previous knowledge necessary Mixed level, mixed vocal range – there are easier and more difficult parts What will we do? Basic warm up and vocal technique Learn songs from a […]
Sara Mitra is a singer, songwriter and bandleader whose new music forges an original, alternative sound at the junction of folk, jazz and country blues. Tonight Mitra previews tracks from her forthcoming second album ‘Losing You’, with a limited-run FREE download ‘Baltimore Oriole / In The Pines / The Secret Sorrow Of A Travelling Man’ […]
Finn Peters, flute & saxes Oren Marshall, tuba Tom Skinner, drums Three of Europe’s most in demand and respected jazz musicians combine in a playful, freewheeling and energetic trio. Tonight’s show is the launch of their brand new album ‘Celebrate’ out on Slowfoot records September 2014. Highly individual soloists Oren Marshall on tuba, Finn Peters […]
A night of the finest music from those who were at the vanguard of the 1960s London jazz scene. HENRY LOWTHER During the sixties Henry was one of the first musicians on the British jazz scene to experiment with total free improvisation, notably with Jack Bruce, Lyn Dobson and John Hiseman. He played with the […]
Deemer The brain-child of Merijn Royaards and Dee Byrne, Deemer started life in 2006 as a weekly improvisation/electronics session in a warehouse in Hackney Wick. The project has since evolved into an installation/performance based electro-acoustic ‘twomanned’ orchestra, whose aural narratives are created within fluid frameworks that map a trajectory in time, but leave the sonic […]
We’re delighted to welcome back rising star Sam Leak with his magnificent quartet. ‘This is assured and sophisticated acoustic jazz with deep roots in the tradition, that knows exactly what it is trying to do – and succeeds.’ Daniel Spicer, BBC Music Magazine Aquarium is led by pianist and composer Sam Leak, described by Jazz […]
Bessie Smith is one of the most iconic artists in jazz and blues history. Her raw, visceral howl of a voice chronicled a life of gin-soaked bar room brawls, renegade lovers and bawdy nights of Harlem vaudeville. This evening the critically acclaimed Anglo-American songstress Sarah Gillespie takes to the stage with a fresh interpretation of […]
LYDIAN COLLECTIVE An exciting 4-piece instrumental group formed by composer / producer Aaron Wheeler (aka Laszlo) and fellow producer and guitarist Todd Baker. Described as “blissfully different”, their refreshing brand of original fusion-based music is rich in harmony and groove, showcasing the diversity and depth of their compositional skill and musicianship. Aaron and Todd are […]
We’re delighted to welcome back this formidable group of improvisers, tonight with Terry Day on drums. The result of what was meant to be a one-off performance in commemoration of the late Lol Coxhill, the music produced by the group proved so good it seemed natural to continue. Consisting of two legends of Improvised music […]
Electric Biddle is a new band, bringing together French Saxophone Star Julien Lourau, drummer and vibes virtuoso Jim Hart, keys and sound wizard Dave Maric and Austrian born, London based guitarist Hannes Riepler. Somewhere near London’s River Lee and the Hackney marshes lies a vibrant and rapidly changing area called Clapton. At the heart of […]
The London Jazz Orchestra opens its new season of monthly Vortex Sunday Sessions with a live recording session featuring the world premier of John Warren’s new suite The Traveller’s Tale. It is rare for the LJO to play music by writers who are not members of the band; in the case of Warren, however, we jump at the chance to […]
The Babel Label (“exquisite but eclectic” – allaboutjazz), celebrates its 20th birthday with a special evening of guests and surprises. Since founded by Oliver Weindling, the label has become a home for some of the great recordings of UK music, many of which have gone on to win awards, such as two Mercury Prize nominations. […]
Evolving ever since it began, SnowPoet comprises many award winning London based musicians. The music draws from folk, alternative and new genres. It speaks of today and the stories presented tell of loss and love. Bassist Chris Hyson and vocalist Lauren Kinsella work together to make songs that play themselves and everything in between. Lauren Kinsella […]
A piano trio that’s at once adventurous, courageous and humorous, Too Noisy Fish released their second album, Fight Eat Sleep, in September 2013, produced by the legendary Oz Fritz (Tom Waits, John Zorn, Herbie Hancock, Ornette Coleman, Iggy Pop, Bob Marley). Exhibiting the Belgian sensibility of the slightly deranged big band Flat Earth Society of […]
Tonight we celebrate the release of Clara Sanabras’ new album Sioux and Gypsy blood runs through Clara’s veins. An exceptionally versatile musician, captivating performer and one of the most original singer-songwriters to emerge from the East London scene, Clara brings a refreshing twist to the folk tradition creating an unmistakable bluesy sound with a continental […]
Acrobat is a London-based organ trio, founded in 2008 by its three members. The warmth and presence of the classic organ/guitar groups are heard alongside new textures and stylish improvising. Compelling grooves and melodic clarity invite the listener inside one of the most exciting sounds in jazz today. Collective effort is the key in Acrobat. […]
The Vortex is delighted to host 5 nights of the 12th London African Music Festival Kad Achouri was born to first generation Algerian Berber parents in the small provincial town of Mazamet in the Tarn, south-west France, in 1969. He began teaching himself to play the piano and briefly attended the music conservatory in Toulouse. […]
The Vortex is delighted to host 5 nights of the 12th London African Music Festival Celebrated Egyptian violinist and composer Samy Bishai built his reputation as an outstanding musician through his work with Natacha Atlas, Seckou Keita, Celloman, Digitonal, Zoe Rahman, Arun Ghosh just to name a few. His work as a band leader and […]
Continuing our monthly Mopomoso series curated by guitarist John Russell & showcasing the best in free improvisation. Emilio Gordoa (vibes) / Roland Ramanan (trumpet) duo Vibraphonist / percussionist Gordoa is ‘redefining the vibraphone as a source, treating it with preparations and extended techniques’. Based in Berlin he is busy in many areas of creative music […]
NoName Trio “Fill the hall with scintillating talent” ThreeWeeks (Edinburgh Fringe Festival) NoName Trio fuses a concoction of jazz, traditional Iranian music and other influences to produce new compositions and fresh takes on classic jazz covers. Ceri Evans (Piano): Ceri is the engine of NoName Trio. He has been performing jazz and producing music in […]
British-Austrian drummer Bernhard Schimpelsberger is a singular phenomenon in the world of percussion today. A rhythmic visionary who has unified the percussion traditions of India and the West, Bernhard has collaborated and toured the globe with his band Circle of Sound, Anoushka Shankar, Nitin Sawhney, dance ace Akram Khan, Talvin Singh and Susheela Raman among […]
This amazing ensemble is led by renowned jazz and world music cellist Shirley Smart. Shirley spent 10 years in Jerusalem playing and studying the music of the region and Melange seamlessly blends this with popular North African rai and chaabi songs, Gnawa music of the South Moroccan desert, exotic Middle Eastern and Turkish melodies, Central […]
We’re thrilled to present this double bill of saxophone-led groups; two of the most original in the UK at the moment. Tonight’s concert will be recorded for broadcast on BBC R3’s Jazz on 3. Triumvirate ‘Denys Baptiste…taking Europe by storm and becoming the icon of British jazz’ Time Magazine The multi award-winning saxophonist/composer Denys Baptiste […]
The Vortex is delighted to host 5 nights of the 12th London African Music Festival Rise Kagona is a true African music legend. Born in Malawi, Rise Kagona is the founder, lead guitarist and sole remaining member of Zimbabwean rock band Bhundu Boys. The Bhundu Boys were the ambassadors of African music and one of […]
Appearing as the 16 piece Large n-semble, The Variable n-tet is a flexible n-piece band playing music composed by Jeff Chambers. The music draws on the depth and richness of the brass chorale, the harmonic and rhythmic language of modern jazz and the quirkiness and humour of popular music. It’s sonorous, with full and rich […]
The Vortex is delighted to host 5 nights of the 12th London African Music Festival Coco Mbassi is a singer originating from Cameroon. Her music is a subtle blend of African roots, classical music, jazz and gospel, along with the modern feeling of acoustic soul music, which she mostly composes herself and co-produces with her […]
Laura Jurd and Corrie Dick These two extremely exciting young musicians present ‘trumpet and drums’ as they transcend into a world of primal creativity, exploring their roots and mankind’s historic fascination with music. LAURA JURD is a London based trumpet player, composer and improviser. A diverse musician, she plays and writes a wide variety of […]
The Roland Ramanan Tentet is a free jazz ensemble inspired by Ramanan’s stint playing in the Peter Brotzmann Tentet. Wailing, whispering; sighing, roaring; this Tentet comprises some of the most exciting musicians to emerge from the UK, Madrid (and beyond) free-jazz and improvised music scene. Inspired by playing with the Peter Brotzmann tentet Ramanan has […]
Electric Landladies as you rarely see them – with grand piano, double bass, accordian and ukulele, mambos, tango and blues. Amy Winehouse, Patti Smith, Bee Gees, Abba and the Rolling Stones re-imagined in their journey into an alternate pop reality. Laka Daisical vocals/pno, Sarah Pritchard vocals/perc, Deirdre Cartwright guitar, Diane McLoughlin sax/accordion, Alison Rayner bass/ukelele/voc, […]
SynKoke has for years defined a clear cut razor edge of the Norwegian extreme jazz scene. With the last album Religion in Transit it also merged the classical tradition with it, doing works of Arvo Pärt and Guillaume de Machaut. Defying genres, Schnellertollermeier’s sound ranges from free improvisation, hardcore jazz to brute rock music. Their […]
Wolfram Trio play in the Vortex Downstairs at 8pm, entry is free to see Wolfram Trio Snorkel are an avant-whatever collective exploring the nether regions between the groove and free improvisation; sub-aquatic observations of dub, jazz, Afro-beat, krautrock and electronica. Taking their inspiration from legendary bands like Can, Soft Machine and This Heat, the current line-up […]
A double bill of medium sized ensembles from the roster of Manchester contemporary jazz/improv/experimental music label Efpi Records, to celebrate the launch of the debut album from Cath Roberts’ septet Quadraceratops Paradox Ensemble Manchester and London-based nonet led by trumpet player Nick Walters (Riot Jazz, Beats & Pieces Big Band). Bringing together many strands of his […]
Led by a ‘brilliant young pianist’ (Alyn Shipton, The Guardian) the Paul Edis Sextet is steeped in the straight-ahead tradition, but with an original and contemporary edge. Their debut album There Will Be Time was voted 3rd best album of 2012 best album of 2012 (Alyn Shipton, Jazzwise). With a front line of Trumpet, Tenor Sax […]
Penny Rimbaud’s L’ACADÉMIE DES VANITÉS – Penny Rimbaud & Eve Libertine/voice, Louise Elliot/sax & flute, Kate Shortt/cello and Jennifer Maidman/ guitars, plus Gee Vaucher and Mick Duffield on visuals – present the last gig of their current residency along with special guests, Annie Whitehead/trombone and Gene Calderazzo/drums. The first half of the set will include […]
A special concert launching Grasscut’s new single, Catholic Architecture, a cover of and tribute to Robert Wyatt, released in October on Lo Recordings. A huge influence on the band, Andrew has been a Wyatt fan since the 1980s, while Marcus has just written his biography, Different Every Time, due to be published by Serpent’s Tail in October 2014. […]
Natalie Duncan’s debut album Devil In Me was released in 2012 on Decca, home to Diana Krall, Jamie Cullum and Tori Amos, a rare signing for the unknown artist in her early 20s from Nottingham. She has something special. Sitting coyly at the piano Natalie delivers her own unique songs with deeply personal and challenging […]