Hosted by Hannes Riepler 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 Riepler, the atmosphere is playful but the […]
Tori Handsley Trio Featured in Jazzwise Magazine’s ‘Who to Look out for in 2014’ Composer, arranger and performer, playing pedal, electric and Latin harps. Tori Handsley is renowned for her unique take on the harp. Her contemporary electric-harp led trio draws upon many influences, creating a tapestry of beats and strings with resounding riffs, driven […]
Pianist & composer Lafayette Gilchrist leads genre-defying band The New Volcanoes, while his solo work and trio Inside Out invite adventurous ears everywhere to enter his world. Tonight he’ll be playing with two of the UK’s most established improvisers; Paul Dunmall (saxophone) and Mark Sanders (drums). Lafayette Gilchrist There’s good reason why jazz fans and […]
“It’s edgy music from an original who deserves a bigger stage” John Fordham
Part of the EFG London Jazz Festival 2014
Evan Parker’s monthly Vortex residency with the master of free improvisation. Tonight Parker is joined by Sten Sandell (piano), John Edwards (bass) and Paul Lytton (drums). ‘If you’ve ever been tempted by free improvisation, Parker is your gateway drug.’ Stewart Lee Evan Parker A major force in European improvising, Parker has collaborated with everyone from […]
Partisans are coming…
“Restless, almost reckless energy… delirious listening… consistently thrilling.” – BBC Music Magazine
Following their UK tour and an electrifying 3 night residency at the Vortex in the Spring, Led Bib are back for their final London gig of the year, playing music from ‘The People In Your Neighbourhood’ (Cuneiform) – their ‘Best album so far’ John Fordham, The Guardian. Led Bib are one of the original torch […]
Hafla: an Arabic word, meaning a friendly social gathering, a relaxed meeting of minds, over coffee and dates; a party; a concert.
The last in a series of club nights in various venues curated by Loop Collective brings together an array of Berlin and London’s finest instrumentalists, performing music which will be remixed live as part of the show. Kronecker Beatsy, glitchy new music combined with explosive improv – compositions by Petter Eldh, Dan Nicholls and Tom […]
Hosted by Hannes Riepler 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 Riepler, the atmosphere is playful but the […]
Award winning eclectic pianist Huw Warren celebrates his lifelong love of Brazilian music in all its diversity with this new groove-heavy trio featuring longtime collaborator and Perfect Houseplant Dudley Phillips. Music by Heremeto Pascoal, Guinga, Tom Jobim, Egberto Gismonti, Pixinguinha and more. Huw Warren – Piano Dudley Phillips – Bass Zoot Warren – Drums “A […]
“He brings together a great heritage of the past, but also something very fresh and new.” Jamie Cullum Sam Vicary, double bass / Sam Gardner, drums / Dominic J Marshall, piano/compositions Dominic J Marshall is a prodigious talent. Having won a scholarship to study jazz at Leeds College of Music; been awarded the LCM Piano Prize; accepted on […]
“Tenor saxophonist Don Weller was, and is, among the true originals of British jazz, with his cavernous sound and utterly unpredictable turn of phrase.” Dave Gelly, The Observer Don Weller is one of Britain’s leading saxophone players and has been playing on the jazz scene since the 1970s. In 1980 he stood in for Michael […]
“One of the UK’s most honest and musical jazz vocalists” The Guardian We welcome back one of Britain’s most inventive jazz vocalists. Ian Shaw’s remarkable vocal range and style have seen him breathe new life into pop tunes and standards; he possesses an unfailing ability to reinvent even the most maudlin showtunes. Having amassed a […]
This group is touring nationally supporting guitarist/composer Dan Messore’s second release as bandleader of ‘Indigo Kid’. The line up glistens with new cohorts. A hefty crew carve fresh musical ground through the wistful signature of Messore’s compositions. Harnessing the beautiful power of Gethin Jones (drums) and Calum Gourlay (bass) in the rhythm section, the fiercely […]
Dead Neanderthals is a Dutch/UK based double sax & drums trio incorporating elements from jazz, grindcore, drone and noise culminating in a pummeling sound that has been described as Painkiller meets Brötzmann. This is the new wave of Dutch Heavy Jazz. Dead Neanderthals are launching their new album ‘Prime’. Heralded as their “ultimate statement” and “a […]
Blow the Fuse present the Alison Rayner Quintet, aka ARQ. Winner of the Jazz Services Recording Subsidy Award for 2013, bass player and composer Alison Rayner leads this contemporary jazz quintet. Original compositions draw on a love for lyrical melodies, deep grooves and influences from folk, funk and Latin. Alison Rayner – double bass Buster Birch […]
A very special gig, tonight Alan Skidmore is joined by the Steve Melling Trio
Alan Skidmore, sax / Steve Melling, piano / Alec Dankworth, bass / Miles Levin, drums.
Alphabets Alphabets is a new trio comprising three exciting voices in UK and Irish improvised music, creating music inspired by language, vocalisation & landscapes. The group aims to reach states of stillness and repose as well as fast instinctive rhythmic interaction, and to tease out all possible sonorities from their instruments. They embarked upon their […]
This concert features the improvising duo of pianist Achim Kaufmann and double bass player Olie Brice, and will be the final night of their UK tour. Berlin-based pianist Kaufmann is probably best known for his trio Kaufmann/Gratkowski/de Joode, an improvising unit which has released four albums to much critical acclaim. He also works with Michael Moore, Okkyung Lee […]
Following the critical acclaim for drummer Eddie Prévost’s bold series of recorded concerts in 2011, join us for this unique monthly live series, revisiting the Meetings With Remarkable Saxophonists recordings and discovering how the music has evolved. John Butcher tenor and soprano saxophones, Guillaume Viltard double bass, Eddie Prévost drums “Of course Prevost and Butcher […]
BOOK HERE FOR TICKETS FOR STANDING ROOM. NOW AVAILABLE, AS ALL SEATS SOLD. https://www.wegottickets.com/event/301719 We’re thrilled to present this rare London performance at the Vortex. Trumpeter Avishai Cohen – voted a Rising Star in the 2012 DownBeat Critics Poll – has earned renown as a musician with an individual sound and a questing spirit, an […]
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 at the Vortex and The 100 […]
Directed by Scott Stroman, the London Jazz Orchestra has been described as “as fine a band as you can find anywhere” (The Independent). Kenny Wheeler, who died in September, was one of the world’s most original and inspiring writers of modern big-band jazz, creating an instantly recognisable, rich, lyrical and uplifting sound. Ken was a founder […]
A celebration of the music of trumpeter Kenny Wheeler…
Liam Noble’s long standing trio returns with music from their 5 star album “Brubeck” combined with compositions from Bud Powell. Their interactive and imaginative approach brings these timeless classics into the 21st century. With Dave Whitford (bass) and Dave Wickins (drums). “Brubeck” is the Liam Noble Trio‟s first recording, despite working together for many years, […]
Adam Waldmann reeds Ivo Neame piano Jon Scott drums Sam Lasserson bass “A beguiling mix of soulful jazz-folk songs and kinetic modern jazz.” ★★★★ Jazzwise Returning to The Vortex, MOBO award-winning Kairos 4tet (Best Jazz Act) will be performing music from their critically acclaimed 3rd album Everything We Hold which has received 4- and 5-star […]
ra•sa /ˈrʌsəː/ noun (Sanskrit) translate as ‘divine nectar’, flavour, sentiment, or emotion: regarded as one of the fundamental qualities of music, dance, and poetry. A celebration of the glorious essence of Winter, musically traversing folk routes from the Holy Land to Andalusia, Eastern Europe and beyond. Warm away the cold with melodies, merriment and mysticism in this […]
A very special opportunity to see the legendary Instant Composers Pool aka ICP Orchestra playing music from their new album East of the Sun; the first not to feature its co-founder, the now retired Misha Mengelberg. “ICP seems to be weathering the loss of its leader in elegant, electric fashion” 4 stars Downbeat Magazine ICP […]
Solo performance Pianist, singer and composer Juwon Ogungbe is one of the mainstays of British-African music. His current CD “Life Force Music” covers all bases – African grooves, soul stirring songs and funk licks are effortlessly mixed together. In his first Xmas show Juwon Ogungbe explores songs from his current CD and songs planned for […]
Directed by Scott Stroman, the London Jazz Orchestra has been described as “as fine a band as you can find anywhere” (The Independent). These up-close-and-personal sessions showcase great writing and soloing from a band that includes many of London’s top musicians, as well as new talents. Doors 3pm On stage 3.30pm
Zoe Francis started singing while living in New York, a time which cemented her love of the American Songbook composers and their lesser known songs. Now shoes making a name for herself in London and will tonight be launching her new live album. Zoe Francis vocals & Jim Mullen guitar “A stunningly beautiful voice.” Harry Allen […]
Christine Tobin’s style, although rooted in jazz, is eclectic and draws on a broad range of influences from Ireland to West Africa to Brazil (Oumou Sangare, Elis Regina etc). Her sound is rich, authentic and deeply expressive and was described by the Guardian as “Tobin’s 24 carat voice” while praising her both for the poetry […]
“Honeyed in sound, subtle in timing and pitch, shrewd in weighting the music with meaning.” The Guardian Over the past few years singer Sarah Moule has established a rapidly growing reputation as one of Britain’s most exciting new jazz talents. Her highly acclaimed debut CD “It’s A Nice Thought” (AKD 192), released in 2002, showed […]
A singer whose charisma has charmed audiences for years. Performing with one of the best pianists around, making one of the best lead-ins to New Year that you might wish for!
Jean Toussaint, saxophones Scott Stroman, vocals Jason Rebello, piano Tim Wells, bass Paul Clarvis, drums and special guest vocalist Emily Wolf The Exiles return for two New Year gigs at the Vortex, where they’ve played sold-out shows for the past few years.”Exiled” London-based Americans Jean Toussaint, Scott Stroman and Tim Wells join with pianist Jason […]
Led by guitar legend John Etheridge, the Blue Spirits Trio includes Pete Whittaker (organ) & Mark Fletcher (drums). Drawing on a vast reservoir of musical experience spanning 43 years ,Etheridge distills the bluesier side of his musical world in a repertoire that manifests intensity and emotion as it’s main quality, with subtlety, fluidity and interaction […]
Jean Toussaint, saxophones Scott Stroman, vocals Jason Rebello, piano Tim Wells, bass Troy Miller, drums and special guest vocalist Emily Wolf The Exiles return for two New Year gigs at the Vortex, where they’ve played sold-out shows for the past few years.”Exiled” London-based Americans Jean Toussaint, Scott Stroman and Tim Wells join with pianist Jason […]
The Vortex is delighted to be hosting a trumpet festival to start 2015. Each night there will be a fantastic soloist accompanied by our own Vortex Trio, led by the flexible and inimitable Barry Green on piano. “Waterman has a lovely, often plaintive sound, open or muted, and always plays throughout with a kind of […]
The Vortex is delighted to be hosting a trumpet festival to start 2015. Each night there will be a fantastic soloist accompanied by our own Vortex Trio, led by the flexible and inimitable Barry Green on piano. One of the most creative and dynamic trumpet players on the British scene, Rory Simmons is quickly gathering […]
The Vortex welcomes back this magnificent trio, tonight featuring Stan Sulzmann on tenor sax. The album ‘Catch My Drift’ on diving duck recordings, 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 […]
London’s longest regular residency, the LJO has been playing the Vortex for 25 years. But with the top musicians involved and eclectic approach, it remains as innovative and accessible as ever. It will be followed by the free concert by Thelonious downstairs.
Weston plays Rhythm Figures, a project based around revisiting and developing ideas for improvising which strongly relates to contemporary jazz/improvisation. The trio of reeds player Chris Biscoe with John Edwards (bass) and Roger Turner (drums) has grown out a trio tour with different musicians around the country and celebrates their varied experiences.
Tim Lapthorn is a pianist with “the long-line vision of the best improvisers” (The Guardian), making his band the perfect foil for Bobby Wellins who is one of the UK’s leading saxophonists.
The collaboration between Diana Torto and John Taylor, born ten years ago, has gradually developed to a perfect balance where the blend of both artists and music is beautifully defined. The invitation to extend the duo to a trio, inviting Julian Siegel to join them in a new band, was made naturally from John after […]
Rachael Cohen is an up-and-coming Scottish saxophonist signed to the Michael Janisch’s Whirlwind Recordings label. Her debut CD, “Halftime”, produced by Janisch, received four stars from both Jazzwise & MOJO. Her band includes guitar hero Phil Robson.
Monthly residency of leading saxophonist Evan Parker, a man who has evolved ways and approaches of innovation. With John Edwards (bass), Steve Noble (drums)
The English equivalent of Art Blakey – a great drummer, most often known here for his work with father Stan, works today with the stars of tomorrow.
The US-born, German-based pianist/composer Chris Jarrett and Italian violinist Luca Ciarla have each carved out highly distinctive paths across diverse musical genres, before joining forces in early 2014. Jarrett – younger brother of fêted jazz pianist Keith – has composed for opera, ballet and film, working with poets, jazz and world musicians as well as […]
The London Jazz Orchestra continues its monthly residency, which is now nearly 25 years at the Vortex. Led by Scott Stroman, it contains some of the great luminaries of the London scene.