Howard Riley 1943-2025
We have been extraordinarily lucky, and thus privileged, to have had most of the influential pianists of the improvised scene in London play at the Vortex since it started in […]
The Vortex for the week ahead: 14-23 February 2025
To adapt TS Eliot: “February is the cruellest month.” This month is certainly living up – or is it down – to it. No Spring yet here, damp, grey, with […]
Vortex 2022-2023
This information gives a more formal flavour of how the club operated in 2022-2023. The more formal element is in our company accounts, with a link below. ———————————— The year […]
Vortex newsletter 31 January. What’s coming to club
An attraction of being in London and being able to come to a place like the Vortex is the special way that European, and especially British, musicians “bring their different […]
Review of Tony Kofi, 18 January 2025
From UK Jazz News (Dan Paton) Tony Kofi and The Organisation celebrate Lou Donaldson
What’s on: 24 January-2 February
Elliot Galvin’s newest album, “The Ruin” (on Gearbox Records) – his most personal to date – will be launched at the Vortex on 25 February. Elliot has been playing at […]
Our wish list!
We are always looking to upgrade, and clean up, things at the club. Here is a current list with approximate requirements. This list is not exhaustive and we’re happy to […]
The week ahead. 17-24 January
The Vortex has a reputation as perhaps the closest in London you can get to the real New York Downtown/Brooklyn vibe. You are physically close to the musicians and can […]
Martin France 1964-2024
Humble genius of the drums. Oliver Weindling writes: It was a privilege to have known Martin for nearly 40 years. Not just for his skill and imagination, but also as […]
New Whirlpool curators for 2024/25. 1st concert 24 October 2024
The Vortex is happy to announce the curators in the forthcoming year’s cohort for its Whirlpool series. The first concert will be on 24 October. The curators for the next […]
The Whirlpool Series
A monthly series of gigs for recent London jazz graduates at the Vortex. Newly graduated jazz musicians may be overwhelmed at how to take their first independent steps as professional […]
Martin Davidson
Oliver Weindling writes: Martin Davidson, who died just before Christmas aged 81, was a hero for this music. Perhaps not so famous as a name, but many who love improvised […]
Jon RB. A tribute and CD collection details
Oliver Weindling writes: Jon RB was a very special person for our jazz community. Jazz seemed to keep him going (as well as good beer). I first met him in […]
Gboyega Odubanjo and Katya Kan
Gboyega Odubanjo (1997-2023) and Katya Kan (1988-2023) Poet Gboyega Odubanjo tragically died in early September 2023. He was known to us at the Vortex, through his performances downstairs and […]
News and Grooves, 21 April
COMING UP AT THE VORTEX! FRIDAY 21 APRIL – THURSDAY 27 APRIL To enjoy jazz in general, and at the Vortex in particular, is an adventure. The musicians are like […]
News and Grooves, 14 April
FRIDAY 14 APRIL – THURSDAY 20 APRIL A good week at the Vortex is one where quality and imagination act as a glue between a great diversity of groups. And […]
Brian Blain (1929-2022)
Oliver Weindling writes: It’s very sad for all in the jazz world to hear about the death of Brian Blain. In reaching the venerable age of 92, he had been […]
Ray Carless RIP
Ray was a true genius and one of those performers whom we were so delighted to welcome to the Vortex. As a genius on the saxophone is indisputable. But also […]
Sound Engineer Training, February 2022
The Vortex Jazz Club is arranging an introductory course for six would-be sound engineers, starting in February. It would involve 4 days of instruction by our lead sound engineer Louis Huddle, as […]
Jazz for the planet
We are happy to show a concert recorded by Tällberg Foundation with a stellar line-up including Joe Lovano. Watch and enjoy. Jazz defies convention through adaptability and improvisation, generating that […]