The Alex Ward Quintet features several of the most exciting and distinctive musicians on the current London improvising scene, and was formed in 2013 to perform Alex’s long-form composition “Glass Shelves And Floor.” Scored for 2 clarinets/bass clarinet, tenor sax, cello and double bass, the work conjures up a soundworld evocative of contemporary chamber music, and brings […]
Shows Nine – Rockets Synth sings about space with special guest Robin Ince Darren Hayman’s Occupation is a series of monthly shows at The Vortex, Dalston. There will be a mix of sets showcasing different albums, themes and special guests. This is not your standard indie gig. “In Hefner I wrote a song about Alan […]
Part of a Match&Fuse tour Alexander Hawkins Alexander Hawkins is a composer, pianist, organist, and bandleader who is ‘unlike anything else in modern creative music’ (Ni Kantu) and whose recent work has reached a ‘dazzling new apex’ (Downbeat). Self-taught, he works in a vast array of creative contexts. His own highly […]
Trio Riot Mette Rasmussen – alto saxophone Sam Andreae – tenor saxophone David Meier – drums Trio Riot formed in Helsinki in 2009, since then they have performed across Europe including dates in Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway and England. Stylistically, the band relate their sense of energy to the 1980s British punk scene, their approach to […]
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’. Penny Rimbaud and Eve Libertine/voices Louise Elliott/sax & flute Kate Shortt/cello Jennifer Maidman/guitars Gee Vaucher […]
Evan Parker 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 coming back for more. “If you’ve ever been tempted by free improvisation, […]
Following a three night residency at the Vortex in August last year, at which he premiered a new piece; The Nine Dances of Patrick O’Gonogon with his Octet, we are delighted to welcome back Keith Tippett. Tonight he’ll give a trio performance with Peter Fairclough (drums/percussion) and Tom Mccredie (bass), followed by the Nine Dances with […]
CHRIS BISCOE Chris Biscoe is a self-taught clarinetist and one of our finest. He started working with Mike Westbrook in 1979 and has played in many of Mike’s projects including The Westbrook Blake, The Cortege, On Duke’s Birthday, London Bridge and Chanson Irresponsable. He has also toured & recorded with George Russell, Andy Sheppard, Grand […]
Mopomoso, the UK’s longest running unbroken concert series dedicated to free improvisation, presents an evening of sonic delights Neil Metcalfe (flute) / Daniel Thompson (guitar) duo Highly musical and non demonstrative duo that gets to the core of what it means to improvise. Close listening and a fine attention to detail coupled with a firm […]
Andrew d’Angelo: Alto saxophone and Bass clarinet (USA) Nate Wooley: Trumpet (USA) Hilmar Jensson: Guitar (ICELAND) Jozef Dumoulin: Fender Rhodes (BELGIUM) Tim Dahl: Bass (USA) Teun Verbruggen: Drums and electronics (BELGIUM) This powerful band the Bureau of Atomic Tourism – or The BOAT – is an avant-garde free jazz outfit led by drummer Teun Verbruggen. […]
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, […]
Laura Jurd Quartet The Laura Jurd Quartet return to the Vortex with their first official London date of 2014! Featuring first-class improvisers Laura Jurd – trumpet, Elliot Galvin – keyboards, Conor Chaplin – electric bass and Corrie Dick- drums the band play original, groove driven music with lashings of folk-like melodies and memorable themes. Whether […]
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) / […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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) […]
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 […]
Test Led by critically acclaimed pianist Bruno Heinen, and guitarist Kristian Borring, this course is aimed at musicians who would like to learn more about how to improvise in a variety of styles including jazz, blues, soul and swing. We will be writing some compositions as a group, and performing them at the end of […]
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) […]
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 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 […]
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 […]
“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, […]
“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, […]
Broca Ensemble Occupying the space somewhere between minimalism, classical and ambient, the Broca Ensemble play soundscapes for large guitar ensemble. Formed in South East London in 2010, the group has grown from an original four members to now having, on occasion, up to ten players. The music is largely improvised and devised from a set […]
Evan Parker and Paul Dunmall (saxophones) perform with Tony Bianco (drums) and John Edwards on bass. Always a compelling combination when Paul joins Evan, Tony’s drumming and John’s bass will provide the springboard for them to launch into the stratosphere. It’ll be a space trip worth joining.
Fingerstyle guitarist Duck Baker is joined by clarinetist Alex Ward and bassist John Edwards, for a set of edgy jazz originals. Drummer Steve Noble joins in for a freer set.
The Vortex Jazz Club is delighted to present our second in a series of fundraisers. We would like to thank Thurston Moore and John Russell for laying on this very special concert and donating all the proceeds to help the club.
Free-Improvising ensemble Speckles Brass collaborate with master pianist Alexander Hawkins; expect a wild diversity of sounds and fiery expression.
John Russell continues to host the UK’s longest running concert series dedicated to freely improvised music. This month’s line up includes: PHIL DURRANT / MARTIN VISHNICK duo; CATH ROBERTS / ALEX WARD duo; and a trio ‘LUST ROLLERS’ with MARK BROWNE / DAN GREGORY, plus special guest IAN MCGOWAN.
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 […]
Jonah Evans’ group will be performing a some new and old original material by myself with some improvisations. Immy Churchill, as special guest, will also feature on vocals. The music is inspired by and blends acoustic improvised music with electronic textures and grooves and will draw from elements of singer-songwriter music. Line-up: Jonah Evans – […]