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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 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 […]

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 […]

Income from two releases on Loz Speyer’s Spherical Records label will go directly to help musicians in Santiago de Cuba. https://spherical-records.bandcamp.com/album/roots-en-route-raices-en-viaje https://spherical-records.bandcamp.com/album/clave-sin-embargo This is because, as a result of the […]

Oliver Weindling writes: Charlie Watts was a jazz drummer at heart. Apparently, he only started as a drummer with R&B band The Rolling Stones to fill in only until something […]

Brian was a volunteer and a night manager at the Vortex for several years. Very thoughtful and always encouraging. We knew that he had taught at London Met and was […]

It was our good fortune at the Vortex, and mine too, to meet Sonia Slany, who died recently, initially through Paul Clarvis. A calming influence on the exuberant? Perhaps she […]

Oliver Weindling pays tribute to John Russell For more than a decade, John Russell’s Mopomoso have been stalwarts of the Vortex. Curated on shoestring (as he frequently reminded one), every […]