We are lucky that the Vortex has so many musicians continue to come back and play the club, even when they can also play bigger venues. Clearly smitten by our great acoustic and atmosphere! Such venues, where the quality is not compromised by the commercial exigencies, are rare in the jazz world. Over the course of its 38 year history, it has remained true to keeping the music fresh, bringing in new stars of the future to balance with great musicians who return again and again.
It’s rather exciting that this week we are able to balance the great music produced by some of our legendary musicians with their new generation successors. Jazz musicians always seem to learn from each other without disrespect or enthusiasm. The respectfulness from which the young musicians have for their peers, balanced by the excitement brought by the newer scene who look at the music of their forebears and build on it in new and exciting ways.
For example, tonight’s celebration of Soft Machine’s guitarist John Etheridge, a musician who has played at the club so regularly over the years, is followed tomorrow by the delicacy and prowess of Rob Luft, recently returned from touring with saxophonist John Surman.
Iain Ballamy, in duo with Gareth Williams on 9th, will be a celebration of the intimacy of chamber jazz with true counterpoint and interplay. That’s followed by Alice Leggett (10), returning with a new band from Amsterdam.
The excitement of Trio Grande (6), where the guitarist and saxophonist Gilad Hekselman and Will Vinson interact with exceptional prowess, should be compared with the “new kids on the block”, Ant Law and Alex Hitchcock (11)
We are delighted to learn that Nikki Iles has deservedly been appointed Principal Conductor of the NDR Big Band, based in Hamburg. It’s one of the most prestigious bands going! Nikki of course has been playing at the Vortex for many years in her own name but also with the likes of Norma Winstone, and one of the great jazz educators here. It was a particular thrill that she made a quantum leap with the first gig of her own big band at the Vortex in 2019 which then returned triumphantly in 2024.
Some future concerts to book for now, before they sell out!
18 April Emma Rawicz with String Quartet ft. Elliot Galvin
26 April Ivo Neame Dodeka (Live recording)
3 May James Brandon Lewis
10 May Tony Kofi Tentet plays Monk
6 June Tom Ollendorff Quartet featuring Aaron Parks
4 Soft Machine (Sold out)
50 years ago, John Etheridge had joined this legendary band on the personal recommendation of his predecessor, Allan Holdsworth. Don’t worry if you can’t make it, John will be back at the club in his own right soon.
4 (Downstairs Late) Herbie Hopkins
Herbie is a songwriter, whose new album, produced by Chris Sharkey in Leeds, is about anatomy, nocturnal landscapes and personal catharsis.
5 Rob Luft Quartet
Rob Luft is one of the most exciting guitarists to have emerged in recent years. A former BBC New Generation Artist, he already stands in a pantheon of guitarists such as John McLaughlin and Pat Metheny. “Remarkable originality, strong compositions”. (Allaboutjazz.com)
6 (Afternoon) London Jazz Orchestra – John Taylor Special
The unique composition ability, balancing great melodic hooks on which to take advantage of the big band sound, was such a talent of John Taylor. He was an original member of the LJO. “He had a way of making the music universal, about something.” (Liam Noble, UK Jazz News)
6 Trio Grande (2 shows)
It’s a great joy to welcome back one of the supergroups of the new New York generation: Will Vinson on sax and keys, Gilad Hekselman on guitar and Nate Wood on drums. “A confident demonstration of modern soundscapes blended with catchy hooks.” (Jazziz) Tickets for both shows selling fast. Only UK date on their European tour!
8 Midweek Downstairs Jam
Our relaxed jam session. Relax, buy a drink, or bring your instrument to join in.
9 (Downstairs early) Creations – Free Improvisation Evening with Steve Beresford + Jam Session
Our regular improv session this month features a set by one of the piano greats, Steve Beresford, now celebrating his 75th birthday.
9 Iain Ballamy + Gareth Williams
”Green in Blue” celebrates the music of Bill Evans and beyond, with two of our greatest musicians. Iain Ballamy, “one of the world’s great voices”, according to the Guardian, has recorded 5 albums for ECM alone, as well as being a seminal musician in Loose Tubes and Bill Bruford’s Earthworks. He’s currently planning a major new release.
10 Alice Leggett – “Birdsong” Album Tour
Saxophonist Alice Leggett, currently resident in Amsterdam, brings a band including the best of the young musicians in that city, including Chaeran Im and Alistair Payne whom we have heard with Sun Mi Hong.
11 Law/Hitchcock/Lukassen/Brandão
A trailblazing band with music by guitarist Ant Law and saxophonist Alex Hitchcock. Stunning music from a stunning group of musicians.
12 Calum Gourlay Quintet
Calum Gourlay, here on bass guitar, rather than upright, for which we know him best, leads a new group playing new music and composition by Thelonious Monk and Ornette Coleman. The band includes Alcyona Mick on piano, Mike Chillingworth on alto and Nick Costley-White on guitar.