The Vortex Jazz Club, 11 Gillett Square, London N16 8AZ | Bookings 020 7254 4097 | Email Info at Vortex

Booking

By phone

020 7254 4097

Please note that 48 hours notice is required for phone booking cancellations.

Online through
'We Got Tickets'

The 'book online' links will take you to the secure site.

More information

Concessionary rates

A reduction of £2 (on the door price shown), from Monday to Thursday inclusive only, for members of:
- The National Union of Students
- Musicians Union
- unemployed

Please note that concessionary tickets can only be purchased at the door and proof of identity will be required.

Starting times

Doors open at 8pm

Gigs start at 8.30pm unless shown otherwise.

Gig enquiries?

Musicians enquiring about gigs at the Vortex please see the musicians page for contact details.

Support The Vortex

Become a member, sponsor a gig, volunteer

See the support page for more details

Make a donation online through Charity Choice.

For more details see the donations page.

March programme

Gigs start at 8.30pm unless otherwise shown.
Online book now available.

Sunday 21 | 4.00pm | £8 | Book online

The LJO 'Vortex Sessions' Kenny Wheeler Special

The London Jazz Orchestra dedicates its monthly live recorded concert to music by Kenny Wheeler to celebrate his 80th birthday. Kenny was a founder member of the 'new' LJO when it first began rehearsing nearly 20 years ago, and a member of the 'old' LJO, directed by the legendary Bill Russo, in 1963.

His influence on other writers for the band – Sulzmann, Stroman,
Saberton, Lowther, Hurt, Foster and others, is huge and has contributed to the unique 'LJO sound'.

Directed by Scott Stroman, the band features a host of top soloists, including Henry Lowther, Alec Dankworth, Pete Hurt, Pete Beechill, and Paul Clarvis.

Sunday 21 | 8.00pm | £8/5 | Book online

Mopomoso – monthly free improvisation night

Back in its regular third Sunday slot, this month’s Mopomoso concert has four contrasting sets featuring some of the finest free improvisers around today.

Steve Beresford / Ute Kanngieser

Pianist Steve Beresford is much in demand as a collaborator in a multitude of projects, working across the full spectrum from free improvisation through jazz-based material to pop, reggae and MOR songs and on to fully scored music for film and dance. He is joined for a first time with London Improvisers Orchestra cellist Ute Kanngieser (AMM and Treehouse).

Pascal Marzan

Paris-based Pascal Marzan is a leading exponent of the nylon strung classical guitar in the world of free improvisation. Through his annual ‘Roc de Choc’ festival and monthly concert series he is also responsible for encouraging the development of the music in France. A dynamic musician, his music moves between small delicate sounds to orchestral-like textures and is never anything less than engaging.

The Alan Wilkinson trio

Saxophonist Alan Wilkinson has been blowing up a storm with this trio with – a hard-hitting, energetic music to warm the cockles! In the company of two of the best musicians in the country – Pat Thomas (piano) and Mark Sanders (drums) ably helping to stoke up the temperature, this group's music is full of wit and nothing less than a real celebration of the human spirit. Impossible not to be moved!

John Russell / Paul G Smyth

Paul G Smyth (piano) is Ireland’s leading improviser, and he has played and toured with a.o Charles Gayle, Derek Bailey, Keiji Haino, Evan Parker, Barry Guy and Damo Suzuki.

Outside of improvisation, his group The Jimmy Cake was described in The Irish Times as being ‘the most powerful musical force in Ireland’.

He is joined by an old partner, Mopomoso boss and renowned guitarist John Russell, for a duo that first performed in 2000 at the Project festival in Dublin.

Monday 22 | 8.30pm | £8 | Book online

Knuckle Biter

Layers of textural electronics meet with accoustic instruments taking the listener on an intriguing musical journey. This duo, Alex Bonney (trumpets & electronics), Steven Davis (drums & laptop), are long-time collaborators whose improvised music draws on a range of influences from Efterklang, Ornette Coleman, Morton Feldman, Deerhoof, Miles Davis and Evan Parker to Captain Beefheart.

Bitten By A Monkey

Dylan Bates (violin, saw, medieval fiddle, overtone flute, xaphoon), Steve Myers (recorders, voice, borborygmus) and Roland Bates (piano).

Tuesday 23 | 7.30 & 10.00pm |
Book online 7.30 (£12) | Book online 10.00pm (£10)

Hairy Bones

Peter Brötzmann, Toshinori Kondo, Massimo Pupillo & Paal Nilssen-Love

An emphatically top-draw international free-improv group that has wowed audiences across Europe.

Featuring Peter Brotzmann (saxophones), Toshinori Kondo (trumpet, electronics), Massimo Pupillo (electric bass) and Paal Nilssen-Love (drums).

Each show will be an hour long set with interval.

*Please note that this gig is not eligible for members' complimentary tickets.

Wednesday 24 | 7.30 & 10.00pm |
Book online 7.30 (£12) | Book online 10.00 (£10)

Hairy Bones

As Tuesday.

*Please note that this gig is not eligible for members' complimentary tickets.

Thursday 25 | 8.30pm | £8 | Book online

Evan Parker invites Brand / Graewe / Sanders

Saxophonist Evan Parker's monthly free improvisation residency with guests
Gail Brand (trombone), Georg Graewe (piano) and Mark Sanders (drums).

Georg Graewe has worked with some of the best performers in avant-garde jazz, contemporary, and improvised music from around the world. Gail Brand, described by Time Out as, '..one of the most passionate and dynamic musicians alive' has developed a close musical rapport with Mark Sanders, one of the UK's finest drummers.

Friday 26 | 8.30pm | £12 | Book online

The first night of a new monthly residency of the LOOP Collective at the Vortex, showcasing LOOP members, new ventures and associates of the collective.

Outhouse

Already well-known to the club, the Quartet – dubbed by Jazzwise as 'one of the best young bands on the current London Jazz scene – blur the line between composed and improvised music. Robin Fincker (tenor sax & clarinet), Tom Challenger (tenor sax), Johnny Brierley (bass) and Dave Smith (drums).

Mister Cinoc

The UK premiere of the trio, saxophonist Robin Fincker and leading figures of the contemporary jazz / improv scene in France – Phillippe Gelda (organ) and Fred Cavallin (drums).

Saturday 27 | 7.30pm & 10.00pm*
7.30pm Book online (£15) | 10.00pm (£15) Book online

Dave Liebman with the Jiannis Pavlidis Trio

Playing two performances tonight (each approx 70 mins), guitarist Jiannis Pavlidis and the great American saxophonist David Liebman first collaborated in 2005 when they recorded and toured the UK.

A ‘renaissance man’ in contemporary music, Dave Liebman has played with Miles Davis, Elvin Jones, John McLaughlin, McCoy Tyner and others and has been performing worldwide for over thirty-five years.

Tonight’s sets will include both reharmonized standards and original compositions approached from an ‘open improvisation’ angle. With Jamil Sheriff (Fender Rhodes) and Eddie Hick (drums). ‘(Pavlidis)...astonishing virtuosity combined with wonderful compositions’ (Leeds Guide).

Sunday 28 | 8.30pm | £8 | Book online

Mik Artistik's Ego Trip

What a joysome noise! Three chaps on stage; the oldest charging around in a tie dye jacket singing, spouting, spitting, grabbing ideas from the air. Guitar, bass, vocals...it's not rocket science, but Faust, Johnny Vegas and the Stereophonics love 'em....what's goin' on?

Matt Bourne & Christophe de Bézenac

Pianist Matthew Bourne and saxophonist Christophe de Bézenac (Trio VD) have been playing together since 2003. They have caused controversy and are banned from playing at The Sage ever again.

This duo is a powerful, intense and often frightening mix of interlocking textures, speed, vocals and near-telepathic empathy. Don't miss this rare opportunity to see them together in this intimate setting.

Monday 29 | 8.30pm | £8 | Book online

Tom Pilling Trio

Led by pianist Tom Pilling, the trio plays contemporary jazz, drawing on its members’ diverse backgrounds. In addition to original compositions the group takes the standard repertoire in new directions and champions work by contemporary jazz composers. As Tom says himself, '...not brow-furrowed-1000-yard-stare music – although I love that too.'

The trio first met while backing Lillian Boutte, New Orleans' 'Official Jazz Ambassador, as part of the Denny Ilett Jr. Quartet, supporting this wonderful performer both in the UK and internationally.

With Andy Crowdy (bass) and Daisy Palmer (drums).

Tuesday 30 | 8.30pm | £9 | Book online

Koby Israelite Band

Hard to pin down, Koby Israelite music is beautiful, heady, rousing and affecting, incorporating Middle Eastern, Balkan and Gypsy with metal overtones. Imagine a lyrical rock band led by an accordion. If you have never heard Koby Israelite's accordion playing – don't miss this opportunity.

With Yaron Stavi (upright and el. bass), Oded Kafri (drums), Rob Terry (keys), Eran Kendler (guitar) and Lucy Randall (vocals).

Wednesday 31 | 8.30pm | £10 | Book online

East European Gypsy Jazz Night

Paprika Reloaded

We are very happy to welcome back the wonderful Paprika Reloaded (formerly Paprika Balkanicus).

With a new line-up, including Zivorad Nikolic (accordion), Vladimir Strkalj (guitar), James Opstad (bass) and Rastko Rasic (percussion) – but playing the same high-octane brand of Gypsy and Balkan melodies, the band is led by the exuberant Romanian violinist Bogdan Vacarescu. Expect an evening of humour, charm and truly extraordinary musicianship.