The Local presents Alexis Taylor Alexis Taylor is a musician, producer, DJ and songwriter from London, a co-founder of Grammy-nominated pop group Hot Chip, and member of improvised/non-improvised music project About Group. New album Await Barbarians, is released by Domino Records on 9th June 2014. Await Barbarians is a series of songs “from the halfway line.’ Possessing the […]
Match & Fuse and the Vortex Present The Fat Face Band US-based jazz trio (Charlotte, North Carolina) featuring Matthew Postle (trumpet/melodica), Troy Conn (guitar), and Molly Brown will perform a variety of New Orleans Jazz, infused with Americana and original compositions. Join Fat Face for an evening of Jazz before they embark on their first […]
Two groups featuring some of the brightest young musicians around. DICE FACTORY Tom Challenger (tenor saxophone) Dan Nicholls (piano) Tom Farmer (double bass) Jon Scott (drums) Dice Factory – the name taken from Luke Rhinehart’s classic novel “The Dice Man” – started life in 2009 as a series of exploratory sessions: playing music from their […]
Monthly Vortex residency with the master of free improvisation. Tonight’s concert will start promptly at 8.30pm First set Sam Bailey solo prepared piano Second set Evan Parker / John Russell / John Edwards Third set Evan Parker / John Russell / John Edwards / Sam Bailey Evan Parker A major force in European improvising, Parker […]
“…a voice of quite remarkable expressive depth” JAZZWISE “…the album is a thing of simple beauty…what really impresses is a talent for story telling and for drawing the listener in…taste-makers take note!” JazzUK “…Ethereal Voice” Time Out Emilia Mårtensson is a London based Swedish/Slovenian vocalist and composer of considerable repute. Since graduating from Trinity College,of […]
The Vortex Downstairs jam session moves upstairs for one week only. Continuing the long tradition of jazz jam sessions with musicians fine tuning their chops & maybe sparring a little too, the Vortex Jam Session offers the chance to see some truly extraordinary musicians play a relaxed, off the cuff gig. Led by guitarist Hannes […]
Led by the UK’s leading jazz choral director, Pete Churchill, a thirty-five strong jazz choir will be joined by a talented band from Trinity Laban’s jazz course for a set of jazz, gospel, soul, folk and much more. The second half features Trinity Laban’s talented Jazz Ensemble, led by UK jazz flautist, composer and arranger […]
Matthew Shipp Trio Matthew Shipp, piano Whit Dickey, drums Michael Bisio, bass He might be older and wiser, but Matthew Shipp has not mellowed with age. A galvanizing force among the heirs to jazz’s avant-garde movement of the 1960s, the pianist has spent the past quarter century building a vast, rolling musical universe. He has […]
“One of London’s musical treasures, playing the best Balkan and klezmer music in Britain” (The Evening Standard), This amazing and charming band began busking at East London’s Columbia Road flower market. Now they perform in the famous concert halls of Europe including Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, the Gasteig in Munich and London’s Southbank Centre. The Vortex has […]
Poems, anecdotes and songs with Eleanor Moreton on fiddle, from consumate wordsmith John Hegley, joined by special guest Simon Munnery JOHN HEGLEY ‘Comedy’s poet laureate” The Independent Local man John Hegley’s first public performance monies came from busking his songs, initially outside a shoeshop in Hull, in the late Seventies. He performed on the streets […]
In a change to our original programme we’re delighted to present Vula Viel Vula Viel means Good is Good in Dagaare, the language of the tribe in Upper West Ghana where Bex Burch lived and played music for 3 years and now, Bex’s new group with London’s finest; Jim Hart, Dan Nicholls, Tom Challenger, George […]
We welcome back one of Britain’s most inventive jazz vocalists. Shaw’s remarkable vocal range and mesmerising style has seen him breathe life into pop tunes and standards, reinventing even the most maudlin showtunes with sparkling wit. www.ianshaw.biz
Mike Hobart is an experienced and soulful saxophonist who has played with the likes of Esther Phillips and Maceo Parker. His first inspirations were the flowing freedoms of Miles Davis’ 1960s quintet and the soulful blues of Ray Charles, but a lot has happened since then. Urban Jazz puts it all together, adds new beats […]
Paul Dunmall tenor saxophone Howard Cottle tenor saxophone Olie Brice bass, Tony Bianco drums John Coltrane’s album SUNSHIP, widely regarded as one of his greatest recordings, perhaps even more powerful than A LOVE SUPREME, is the inspiration for tonight’s concert. Paul Dunmall with his new quartet revisits this classic recording using a slightly different line […]
Kjær3 is Julie Kjær / John Edwards / Steve Noble Forebrace is Alex Ward / Roberto Sassi / Santiago Horro / Jem Doulton KJAER3 Danish saxophonist, Julie Kjær joins forces with the english powerhouse rhythm section of Steve Noble and John Edwards. The trio explores the improvised world in all its aspects with drive and […]
Tonight ARQ launch their brand new album ‘August’, recorded live at the Vortex and released on Blow the Fuse Records. Led by bass player Alison Rayner they play melodic compositions with killer grooves, influences from American swing, funk and dance music to contemporary jazz and European folk. ‘With her big warm acoustic sound, faultless time, […]
“Excellent release.” Gilles Peterson, BBC6 Music “On first listen, this could well be album of the year!” Mike Chadwick, Jazz FM Teotima is a 16-piece jazz / afro-latin / soul ensemble from London. Guitarist-composer Greg Sanders started Teotima; taking the powerful, elegant but deceptively complex grooves of West Africa, Cuba and Brazil and adding the […]
Due to popular demand we’ve added a second date. “Excellent release.” Gilles Peterson, BBC6 Music “On first listen, this could well be album of the year!” Mike Chadwick, Jazz FM Teotima is a 16-piece jazz / afro-latin / soul ensemble from London. Guitarist-composer Greg Sanders started Teotima; taking the powerful, elegant but deceptively complex grooves […]
Following the release of the album ‘Catch My Drift’ on diving duck recordings, the Vortex welcomes back this magnificent trio. The album features melodic and Mullenised versions of standards and compositions by legendary jazz musicians such as Toots Thielemans. Having taken a break from touring and performing, Jim’s Organ Trio are reformed and re-energised and […]
Mojo (moderately optimistic jazz orchestra) are an exciting 17 piece jazz big band based in north London, made up of great musicians from all over the capital. With a repertoire including laid back & up tempo swing, Latin and funk and playing a wide ranging variety of charts from the traditional (Buddy Rich, Count Basie, […]
Doors 7pm Music 7.30pm Open mic night hosted by Romy Summers and the Bob Stuckey Trio: Bob Stuckey (piano), Jerome Davies (bass), Cheryl Alleyne (drums) Doors and singing list open at 7pm, come down early if you’d like to sing.
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 […]
What was Penny Rimbaud’s ‘Last Amendment’, but is now ‘L’Académie des Vanités’, continue their quarterly residency with further adventures into the realms of words and music or, as Rimbaud puts it, ‘the poetry of jazz and the jazz of poetry’. It’s a unique and sometimes confrontational blend of passion, word and music featuring Penny Rimbaud and […]
GEORGE CROWLEY ‘There are times on Paper Universe, George Crowley’s debut album, when the young saxophonist and composer sounds like he’s been sitting by the side of Coleman Hawkins or Lester Young. There are times when he flies out of the speakers like he invented hard bop. Then a few minutes later he’s creating long, […]
‘Possesses something of the rhythmic freedom of Gretchen Parlato… What impresses most is the overall sweep of the album, which pulls you into a sound world all of its own.’ Peter Quinn, Jazzwise magazine London Jazz Singer of the Year nominee Fini Bearman is a London based vocalist and composer whose music melds influences as […]
We welcome back one of Britain’s most inventive jazz vocalists. Shaw’s remarkable vocal range and mesmerising style has seen him breathe life into pop tunes and standards, reinventing even the most maudlin showtunes with sparkling wit. www.ianshaw.biz
Emerging young stars, led by Scott Stroman, take the stage as the big-band flagship of the Guildhall’s renowned jazz programme round off their season with a special concert featuring compositions and arrangements by members of the band.
The Kenny Wheeler Collective was recently formed to celebrate the great man’s music and consists of some of his closest musical colleagues performing compositions from Kenny’s vast repertoire. John Taylor piano Stan Sulzmann saxes John Parricelli guitar Chris Laurence double bass Martin France drums
Audrey Lauro, saxophone Olie Brice, double bass Mark Sanders, drums AUDREY LAURO Audrey Lauro is an alto saxophonist with a wealth of experience in the Belgian experimental music scene, having played with Marc Ribot, Veryan Weston, Peter Evans, Carlos Zingaro, Javier Carmona, Sabu Toyozumi and Daysuke Takaoka amongst others. Her first CD in 2008 on […]
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 […]
For the fifth year running, head to Dalston’s hippest square for a packed day of live music and dance workshops. For all ages and abilities, this annual event unites some of east London’s finest talent to create a carnival spirit. Grab your glad rags and dancing shoes or simply relax and soak up the summer […]
For the fifth year running, in partnership with the Barbican, we present a day of music and dance in Gillett Square and the Vortex. So grab your glad rags and dancing shoes or just relax and soak up the summer atmosphere. IN GILLETT SQUARE 1.50–2pm Drum Works Feel the rhythm with the young Barbican Guildhall […]
We present a two night festival of improvised music, linking up some of the most exiting British and Austrian improvisers around. Each night will have a different programme of smaller combinations plus a large group with everyone playing together. With thanks to the Austrian Cultural Forum. The musicians: Steve Beresford (piano / electronics) Tanja Feichtmair (sax) […]
We present a two night festival of improvised music, linking up some of the most exiting British and Austrian improvisers around. Each night will have a different programme of smaller combinations plus a large group with everyone playing together. With thanks to the Austrian Cultural Forum. The musicians: Steve Beresford (piano / electronics) Tanja Feichtmair (sax) […]
Trio Manouche are one of the UK’s leading gypsy swing ensembles, performing inspired re-worked classics of Django Reinhardt in addition to highly acclaimed original material penned by their band leader Simon Harris, bringing a unique and contemporary twist to this ever popular genre. Since forming in 2005 the trio have performed in top Jazz venues, […]
Monthly Vortex residency with the master of free improvisation. Evan Parker A major force in European improvising, 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 coming back […]
Back for their annual Vortex Workshop. An exciting blend of music from twenty horns, featuring jazz, african and latin grooves, under the leadership of trombone virtuoso Annie Whitehead and supported by the phenomenal bass and drums of Jennifer Maidman and Mark Huggett. The Workshop is a regular rehearsal group with performances from time to time […]
A very special opportunity to experience Wedding Music; the stunning collaboration between Tom Challenger (Saxophone) and Kit Downes (Church Organ). Plus the remarkable keyboard player Dan Nicholls plays a solo set. Kit Downes & Tom Challenger: Wedding Music Having both led, co-‐led and recorded with their own critically acclaimed ensembles (Downes with his Mercury nominated […]
Commissioned by Manchester Jazz Festival & never before performed in London, Article 11 is an hour-long suite for a specially put-together international 11-piece band, composed by guitarist Anton Hunter. Article 11 Anton Hunter – guitar Johnny Hunter – drums Eero Tikkanen – double bass (Finland) Mette Rasmussen – alto sax (Norway) Sam Andreae – tenor […]
The Chaos Collective present another genre-pushing evening of live music. The Elliot Galvin Trio was formed in 2012 and sees the meeting of three like- minded creatives. Exploring the possibilities of the traditional piano trio line-up with a sense of playful experimentation, the group play original material written by Elliot. The band effortlessly juggle a […]
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. […]
Nigerian singer Funmi Olawumi, the leader and founder of the glorious Yoruba Women’s Choir, performs two very special intimate shows – her only London shows of 2014. Across the two nights Funmi premieres songs from her soon to be released CD ‘Yoruba Soul’, the follow up to the critically acclaimed album ‘Funmi Ti De’ (Joyful […]
Nigerian singer Funmi Olawumi, the leader and founder of the glorious Yoruba Women’s Choir, performs two very special intimate shows – her only London shows of 2014. Across the two nights Funmi premieres songs from her soon to be released CD ‘Yoruba Soul’, the follow up to the critically acclaimed album ‘Funmi Ti De’ (Joyful […]
An electrifying quartet led by pianist/accordionist Maurizio Minardi with the stunning cello of Shirley Smart (from Vortex favourites Melange), Michele Montolli on double bass and Jason Reeve on drums. Weaving together jazz, folk and minimalist classical music – together with some breathtaking tangos – this will be an evening of sublime and interesting music – […]
This is a one-off meeting, featuring original music from each of the musicians, whose paths have crossed many times on the London scene, be it at Ronnie Scott’s or on the Vortex home base. Hannes Riepler guitar Martin Speake saxophone Tim Thornton bass Chris Draper drums Hannes Riepler stylishly combines the immediacy of New York’s […]
Tutor: Tara Franks A cross-generational jam where together we devise a new piece of music from scratch using instruments you bring along, your voice and/or percussion. Come and have fun making music with musicians of all ages, experiences and abilities. Play and create music together. Get your dusty instruments back out of the case or use your voices in a […]
Madwort’s Menagerie After a momentary glimpse in a misfiring big band rehearsal, Tom Ward has been bugged by an overheard snippet of a weird quartet comprising bass clarinet, flute, trumpet and trombone. Transmogrifying some of his compositions for sax quartet, hybridising this with his free improv duo Ti/om and finally balancing woodwind, brass and strings […]
Bruno Heinen, piano Kristian Borring, guitar Alex Davis, bass Pat Davey, drums Bruno Heinen is a London based contemporary pianist, composer and bandleader. His recent endeavours include collaborations with Julian Siegel, Martin Speake, Byron Wallen and Christian Brewer. Bruno studied classical piano at the Royal College of music with the then head of keyboard Andrew […]
Woven Entity are a unique proposition. Built round the percussive talents of Patrick Dawes, Lascelle Gordon and Paul May (whose credits range from Groove Armada to Beth Orton to The Brand New Heavies to Alexander Hawkins), they offer a wholly improvised and extremely rich stew of spiritual afro jazz, dubby post punk, lo-fi electronics and […]