The Vortex is proud to have been chosen by Downbeat magazine, possibly the most prestigious jazz magazine, as ONE OF THE WORLD’S GREAT JAZZ VENUES 2025. Outside the USA, there are only a handful, so it’s a real accolade.
We believe that we have received this because it is the glorious variety of jazz, interpreted in the broadest way, that we have, always with a commitment to quality. However, this alone is inadequate to fill the club every night. We don’t just pander to booking the hyped names and certainly try to avoid the gimmicky. We provide the opportunity for many of the new kids on the block, giving them the chance to open up to an audience, and get experience of interactions under what could be more stressful conditions! There’s no skimping on the imaginative nature of what they’ll perform and we give them full rein them. Of course, for potential audiences it may seem difficult to know how good they are in advance. Our reply is simple: “Trust us!” Why not make it a resolution to come to a gig by a group of which you haven’t heard? You yourself will probably leave feeling invigorated, both by the music and also that you have discovered someone new. Musicians are always keen to play to new people.
This week is no exception. Some regulars who have become some of our jazz trailblazers, such as Fini Bearman (tonight), Paul Dunmall (20) as well as bassist Huw V Williams and guitarist Hannes Riepler doing late gigs on 15 and 22 respectively. And of course, some newcomers, such as
And looking ahead:
4 April Soft Machine celebrates John Etheridge’s 50 year membership of the band
6 April Trio Grande (with Gilad Hekselman, Will Vinson, Nate Wood)
9 April Iain Ballamy/Gareth Williams – Green in Blue
18 April Emma Rawicz with String Quartet featuring Elliot Galvin
3 May James Brandon Lewis Trio
14 Fini Bearman – Last Night of The World. Album launch
Fini is one of our most joyous singers, who harnesses her thrilling voice and compositions to express experiences of motherhood and new beginnings, of love and loss and of a new-found sense of meaning (or sometimes an existential lack thereof!).
14 (Downstairs late) Dalston Song Club with Reid Jenkins
Tonight Matthew Herd is joined by Reid Jenkins, on a rare visit from New York. In addition to his solo work, he is the co-founder of indie-folk-pop band Morningsiders and avant-folk trio Bold Forbes. The Vortex is exceptional in having some of the few late weekend live gigs in London, and a bargain at just £6 (£5 for members). And don’t worry! All night transport connections at weekends are great from Dalston.
15 Alex Hitchcock Quartet
Ivor Novello-nominated and with memorable compositions, Alex brings this to his audience with such an imaginative musical technique which grabs us all. We are so pleased that he still regards the Vortex as a spiritual home.
15 Vortex Lates with Huw V Williams (Downstairs late)
Huw is now a true trailblazer for the bass, bringing together melody and harmony. His music is also totally memorable, with perhaps subtle hints of this Welsh background.
16 (Afternoon) Mopomoso Matriarchal March
Mopomoso is our free improv equivalent of bite sized sharing plates! This month, we have Noisy Women, proving the diversity of this style of music.
16 (Evening) Vortex Jam Session with Nick Costley-White
Our exciting jam session is this week hosted by sensual guitarist Costley-White, who starts the evening with a set by the house band. The best quality and best value jam session in London. Free for musicians and members. Just £6 for others.
17, 18 Guildhall Jazz Showcases
For two days, we host an intense couple of days of gigs by different ensembles from Guildhall School. Bands from afternoon to evening, both upstairs and downstairs. Hear our stars of the future!
19 Queer Jazz: Jessica Lauren + Efti’s Project
Nominated for a JazzFM Award, Queer Jazz exists to platform, nurture and celebrate the emerging queer jazz scene. Jessica Lauren has been one of the grooviest players here for many years, playing with the likes of Jess Carne.
20 (Downstairs early) Kourosh Kanani and Matt Davies
Guitarist Kanani and drummer Davies show that the intricate filigree of music from the region including Iran, Armenia and Azerbaijan fits in well with the contemporary jazz idiom. Complex harmonies and rhythms come alive.
20 (Upstairs) Bonney/Dunmall/Sanders
Masters at work! Visits to London from Paul Dunmall are limited nowadays. But essential. Here he works together with Alex Bonney on trumpet and electronics, a collaboration started with their mutual love of Albert Ayler. “An absolute treat” – Corey Mwamba (BBC)
21 Allan ft Anatole Muster, Tom Ford, Stan Woodward, and King David Ike-Elechi
Allan Holdsworth is one of the innovative guitar heroes from the 70s onwards, playing with the likes of Soft Machine, Bruford and Tony Williams’ Lifetime. Young master accordionist Muster shows how his music continues to reverberate in 2025!
22 Ed Jones Quartet
Ed Jones returns to his club of choice with his format of choice, including Rebecca Nash, Riaan Vosloo and Tim Giles. But he is also known as the saxophonist of the hit Canteloupe with US3 and of the iconic Killer Shrimp.
22 (Late) Hannes Riepler Trio
Hannes has established himself as one of our most influential performers and educators for guitar. “This is not complacent music at all, everything bleeds.” (Stephen Graham, Marlbank)