Part of the EFG London Jazz Festival Pianist Sam Crowe has performed and recorded with some of the most highly regarded jazz musicians in the UK and US. His critically acclaimed second albumTowards The Centre Of Everything on Whirlwind Recordings, was launched at the Vortex earlier this year to a rapt audience. Tonight he’s back for a very […]
Part of the EFG London Jazz Festival With John Russell (guitar) and John Edwards (bass) Monthly Vortex residency with the master of free improvisation. 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 […]
Part of the EFG London Jazz Festival Township Comets play the searing, joyous music of the South African saxophonist Dudu Pukwana, who in exile brought a pioneering mix of township jazz and improvisation to the UK and European scenes in the late 1960s. Singing in both Xhosa and English, the vocalist Pinise Saul also unusually […]
1st & 3rd Saturday of the month Continuing the long tradition of jazz jam sessions with musicians fine tuning their chops and maybe sparring a little too, the Vortex Late Night Sessions offer the chance to see some truly extraordinary musicians play a relaxed, off the cuff gig. Led by guitarist Hannes Riepler, the atmosphere […]
Part of the EFG London Jazz Festival Bruno Heinen Quintet presents Tierkreis (Stockhausen’s Signs of the Zodiac) plus a pre-concert talk hosted by Max Reinhardt. The Bruno Heinen Quintet features some of the top musicians in the country; Fulvio Sigurta on trumpet, Andrea Di Biase on bass, George Crowley (saxophone), and Jon Scott on drums. The group […]
Part of the EFG London Jazz Festival The London Jazz Orchestra Vortex Sessions…New Adventures! Directed by Scott Stroman The London Jazz Orchestra crosses paths with other contemporary genres, as new arrangements of Mark-Anthony Turnage Needles by director Scott Stroman and Graham Fitkin’s Aract by lead trumpet Noel Langley, plus other new works, are added to the band’s […]
Part of the EFG London Jazz Festival Musical fireworks are guaranteed from an intercontinental dialogue between the intense piano improvisations of Alexander Hawkins and the extraordinary dynamic range of South African percussionist Louis Moholo-Moholo. Plus the beautiful sound of two tenor saxes and cello, with Vincent Courtois, Daniel Erdmann and Robin Finker aka The Mediums. […]
Part of the EFG London Jazz Festival Improvisations and sound games carried by Maggie Nicols’ voice, with the phenomenal duo of Charolles & Chevallier. The trio first met & played in France in 2008 and the complicit understanding between the three was inmmediately tangible; each speaking, singing and improvising as one. Tonight they rediscover that […]
Part of the EFG London Jazz Festival FROM MIDNIGHT… Pianist & composer Alexander Hawkins curates three late night sessions at the Vortex – catch them after the evening concerts. Known as an extraordinary improviser, Hawkins plays with musicians from Evan Parker to Mulatu Astatke to Marshall Allen, as well as leading his own acclaimed Ensemble […]
This excellent young Quintet brings together five highly individual musicians with an ear for the unpredictable. Defiant of categorization and yet extremely accessible, their music combines elements of jazz, folk and contemporary classical music as if heard in a dream. Chris Montague (Troyka) on guitar, James Mainwaring (Roller Trio) on saxes, Dave Smyth (Timecraft) on […]
Kit Downes / Sam Lasserson / James Maddren / Julian Argüelles This new quartet grew out of an opportunity Julian had to play with Kit in various ensembles, they then went on to perform several concerts together as a duo. The quartet finally came together, in this form , in 2010. This quartet of world class […]
To start the New Year, Mopomoso hosts an evening of intimate and engaging improvisations from five very different and highly skilled musicians from the UK, Switzerland and Italy. Nicola Guazzaloca (piano) / Hannah Marshall (cello) duo Bologna based Guazzaloca teaming up again with remarkable cellist Marshall for this fine duo. Brimming over with musicality […]
Tonight is the launch of new album ‘I Bought a Bike’ on Chamber Records, featuring Jac Jones sax, Will Butterworth piano, and Nick Pini on bass. A Priori are a band of London improvisors that have developed a unique way of playing over a two year period through a process of playing freely improvised music […]
“Brilliant, the bee’s knees.” Robert Wyatt “Gillespie’s spiky lyrical gift is utterly distinctive.” The Metro, July 2013 Sarah Gillespie’s music is a fusion of jazz, folk and blues knitted together by poetic, streetwise lyricism. The Guardian’s jazz critique John Fordham describes Gillespie as “(joining) Bob Dylan’s lyrical bite and languid delivery to the forthrightness […]
Bukky Leo is one of the most versatile and explosive saxophonists in the UK. While growing up in Lagos Nigeria, Bukky was spotted practising his first saxophone by the original Afrobeat drummer Tony Allen. He was immediately ushered into Tony’s newly formed band. Bukky went on to play with the great Fela Kuti where the […]
Partisans have been thrilling audiences since its formation in 1996,with its tightly knit themes and a great freedom coming from years of playing together. ‘This foursome are often cited as godfathers of the ferocious “post-jazz” groups. – Times**** …tricky zigzagging heads are played with flawless attack, and the quartet’s trademark of seamless idiom and time-shifting within […]
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 […]
After a packed out show in September the Phil Meadows Group return to the Vortex with a host of brand new material alongside a selection of music from their critically acclaimed debut album ‘Engines of Creation’. Dubbed by BBC Radio 3’s Jez Nelson as ‘a collection of rising stars on the British jazz scene’ Meadows’ clever episodic […]
Contemporary electric-harp led trio which draws upon jazz, rock, latin and classical influences, creating a tapestry of beats and strings. Resounding riffs, driven by heavy grooves, layered with haunting free flowing passages. Particular influences include: EST, Neil Cowley Trio, Bad Plus, Keith Jarrett, Dorothy Ashby, Debussy, McCoy Tyner & Mahavishnu Orchestra. Tori Handsley – electric harp […]
CHRISTINA WODRASCHKA No stranger to our shores, French pianist Christine Wodrascka has a reputation as one of the most intriguing and exciting keyboard artists. She understands how to use the piano not just as a keyboard instrument but also as a percussion instrument, aware of how to hit or caress the strings in a way […]
Shows Eight – Saint Valentine’s Day 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. “It’s a simple theme this time. I will play love songs and only love songs. […]
Two performances: doors 8pm / 10.30pm Evening performance: doors 8pm / performance 8.45pm promptly Late performance: doors 10.30pm / performance 11pm promptly Each show will consist of one 75 minute set and is ticketed separately A very special double bill tonight, with three musical luminaries. BB&C is an explosive three-headed monster featuring New York City […]
Two performances: doors 8pm / 10.30pm Evening performance: doors 8pm / performance 8.45pm promptly Late performance: doors 10.30pm / performance 11pm promptly Each show will consist of one 75 minute set and is ticketed separately A very special double bill tonight, with three musical luminaries. BB&C is an explosive three-headed monster featuring New York City […]
Since its inception some years ago Mopomoso’s end of year improvisorama has become a focal point for musicians to come and play a series short sets, meet old friends and make new ones. Please check the website for updateswww.mopomoso.com Trio Rewind Noel Taylor – bass /soprano clarinets, Tom Wheatley – bass, John Garcia – tiplé […]
Italian saxophone firebrand Daniele Martini joins forces with two top notch British improvisers to create this trio exploring wide-ranging improvisation, rich textural invention and dynamics. DANIELE MARTINI / saxophones Born in Rome and based in Brussels, Daniele Martini is an eclectic and original saxophone player. With a wide musical range that is reflected by the extremely […]
John Law’s new project, exploring electronic sounds and effects over drum grooves. Spontaneous group interaction between keyboards, soprano/bass clarinet and guitar, coming out of pre-composed electronic music scores. Underpinned by propulsive drum grooves. Jazz, rock, ambient, electronic.. The music will be performed in front of a screen, showing live, interactive visuals, using artwork specially put […]
“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 reviews across national and international media with The Observer declaring it the ‘Hidden Gem […]
Following sold out London shows in 2013, we’re thrilled to welcome Lubomyr Melnyk to the Vortex. A true innovator, exploring new directions for contemporary music and pioneering ‘Continuous Piano Music’, Lubomyr Melnyk isn’t just regarded as one of the world’s fastest concert pianists, his compositions also truly carry the listener to new realms. To witness one of […]