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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
Tutors: Bruno Heinen & Kristian Borring In this fun crash course in improvisation we will be learning a few songs by ear written by the greats of jazz and blues. It is open to anyone aged 10 and up, and all instruments are welcome! Who is it for? All ages (age 10 and over) Any […]
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 […]
Performing music from the forthcoming album “Living Standards”, this dynamic group, part of the innovative F-IRE Collective explores the edges of jazz territory, re-imagining the poetry of the standard, its rich colours and subtle tonalities. Drawing inspiration from Paul Motian’s seminal recordings “On Broadway, Vols. 1-5”, this collaboration between some of the UKs most individual musicians […]
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 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 […]
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. Jason Yarde alto and soprano saxophone, Oli Hayhurst double bass, Eddie Prévost drums “Yarde’s lines coalesce into driving […]
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 […]
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 […]
Liane Carroll is one of the UK’s most outstanding jazz singers. She began her career at the age of 15, and since then has recorded numerous acclaimed albums, headlined at Ronnie Scott’s, at the Glastonbury Festival and toured worldwide. She has performed with the most exciting artists of her generation, and collected numerous awards, including […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
Emily Saunders ESB Critically acclaimed vocalist Emily Saunders, marked as ‘one to look out for’ by The Guardian’s John Fordham, previews her new album ‘Outsiders Insiders’, the follow up to her standout debut ‘Cotton Skies’. ‘Outsiders Insiders’ is already creating a word of mouth buzz prior to its release, reflecting influences including Chick Corea, Airto […]
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 […]
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 […]
“One of the UK’s most honest and musical jazz vocalists” The Guardian 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 number of highly acclaimed releases Shaw’s performances both in the […]
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. Bertrand Denzler tenor saxophone, John Edwards double bass Eddie Prévost drums “Bertrand Denzler shares a mastery of what […]
Guitarist and composer Jonny Phillips’ Oriole features a unique set of musicians chosen for their musical openness, empathetic playing and ability to assimilate folkloric styles into a contemporary sound. First formed in 2004 their members represent something of a F-IRE collective super group, albeit one whose sound is a million miles from the left-field jazz […]
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
The London Jazz Jam session is hosted every Sunday in the Vortex Downstairs Bar by guitarist Hannes Riepler and features his house band which varies from time to time.
“Dark, menacing, bass heavy – the new sound of UK jazzzzzzz!” Gilles Peterson BBC 6 Music Roller Trio’s music is a fresh, visceral stew of conventional and experimental sounds that features stonking riffs, thrashy noise, evocative songs and electronic soundscapes. Incubated in mammoth improvisation sessions and honed in local gigs, their music is delivered with […]
Ahead of launching his new project at this years EFG London Jazz Festival, Phil Meadows is coming back to the Vortex to celebrate the music from last years critically acclaimed album Engines of Creation. As 2014 Parliamentary Jazz Newcomer of the Year and Peter Whittingham Jazz Award winner Meadows takes joy in telling tales from […]
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 […]
When “Racconti Mediterranei” (Mediterranean Tales) was released by Egea records at the beginning of the last decade, a lot of people made a lot of noise. The CD gave us a chamber ensemble characterised by refined and evocative sounds. In 2014, the Pieranunzi Trio will give life to the “New Mediterranean Tales”, renewing the narrative […]
Tony Kofi (Alto Saxophone), Larry Bartley (Double Bass) & Rod Youngs (Drums) pay homage to the music of Ornette Coleman. TONY KOFI was born in Nottingham to West African parents. A self-taught musician, he came to London in the early ’90s. Tony has worked and recorded with the David Murray Big Band, Gary Crosby’s Nu […]
We welcome back a genuine legend of British jazz, tonight playing with this group of musicians some of whom are well established, others new to the scene. Bobby Wellins, saxophone Liam Noble, piano Mark Lewandowski, bass Dave Wickins, drums Bobby Wellins Possibly Wellins’s most famous recorded performance was his solo on Starless and Bible Black […]
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, […]
Poetry, comedy and live music, with consumate wordsmith John Hegley who tonight will be joined by a live band. ‘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 of London in […]
Sound of Yell, named after the body of water surrounding the Shetland isle, are a unique ensemble exploring the space where folk and jazz meet. The group is led by Stevie Jones (Arab Strap, Alasdair Roberts and Friends, El Hombre Trajeado). Augmenting Jones’ fingerstyle guitar compositions for this rare, full band set are an exciting […]
Join us for a night of swinging jazz led by “one of the most innovative, exciting and original trumpet players alive” Jazzwise Magazine Raised in a musical environment, Byron Wallen started learning his first instrument, piano, at an early age. He then went on to study trumpet with Jimmy Owens, Donald Byrd and Jon Faddis, in New […]
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. Evan Parker tenor saxophone, John Edwards double bas, Eddie Prévost drums “All Told… is all about movement. Evan […]
Over two nights (the first having taken place on March 10th), critically acclaimed pianist Bruno Heinen and guitarist Kristian Borring will be recording their duo album live at the Vortex. The project is centered around compositions of the great pianist Bill Evans, arranged by the duo and taking inspiration from Evans’ famous duo recordings with […]
A night of intrepid new music from Berlin and London. HYPERACTIVE KID Philipp Gropper – tenor saxophone / soprano saxophone Ronny Graupe – 7 string electric guitar Christian Lillinger – drums HYPERACTIVE KID is a band made up of three musicians currently living in Berlin. They came together in 2003 and since then they have […]
Part of the EFG London Jazz Festival 2014
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 […]