Zoetic
Over the years, the Vortex has encouraged and enjoyed many groups which balance wit and joy with subtlety and complexity. Township Comets, the celebration of Dudu Pukwana led by Chris […]
A playlist for October
Here is a playlist of some of the music you can look forward to hearing in October. Go back and get the details on the upcoming events page of our […]
Krzystof Kobylinski, Jazz Cafe POSK, 1 October
I heard Krzystof a couple of times earlier this year, once with Erik Truffaz at Inntöne and once with a larger band in Kosice in Slovakia. A lyrical player, he […]
The Shape of Jazz To Come…
The Shape of Jazz to Come is curated by Kathianne Hingwan and Dave Holland The Producer for the series is Kathianne Hingwan The Lucumi Project (Supported by the PRSF […]
Union Division (City University, 11 September)
This is a new live ‘venture’, set up by Moss Freed. He is developing a means of creating group improvisation for a larger-scale line-up. Of course, large improvising ensembles exist, […]
Matt Carmichael Quartet (11 September)
I caught the second set of Matt Carmichael’s quartet. The energy that they generated as the set developed was immense. With two exceptional solos from Fergus McReadie on piano driving […]
Richard Fairhurst Trio (2 September), Steve Buckley (7 September)
Two reviews worth putting together, as both present musicians who have returned to the Vortex after a lengthy gap. Of course, I have to admit my own commitment to both […]
What’s coming up in September 2018 – a Spotify playlist
Here’s a Spotify playlist which can give you an idea of what is happening at the club in September. London African Music Festival is all the way through the last […]
Phaze Theory, 28 August 2018
Phaze Theory has already garnered interest from BBC Radio 3. The core trio (of Christopher Barratt, tuba, Tal Janes (electric guitar), Marco Quarantotto (drums)) was enhanced by Arthur Lea on […]
Kjetil Mulelid Trio, 22 August 2018
It’s exciting to have the new generations appearing from across Europe at the club, and, in this case, particularly Norway. Kjetil with his trio on 22 August came especially for […]
Jazz Connective – an EU supported project
We are happy that the Vortex has been awarded a Creative Europe grant of just under €200,000 as part of a project called Jazz Connective. The other partners are in […]
Aurelie Freoua live event, 3 August
Here is a painting by Aurelie Freoua of her Resonances event last November at the Vortex. The musicians, Albert Palau (piano), Liran Donin (bass) and Simon Roth (drums), improvise to […]
Jazzwerkstatt Peitz, 8-10 June 2018
Julie Sassoon- Willi Kellers (Photo: Paul G Smyth) Jazzwerkstatt 55, Peitz, Germany 8-10 June 2018 Oliver Weindling writes: Having had a wonderful 2 day festival from Jazzwerkstatt at the Vortex […]
Film: “John Jack – I improvised”
John Jack (1934-2017) was a great friend of the Vortex and the music that it promotes. He came several times a month until his death in September 2017. I interviewed […]
The July 2018 playlist
Here is a playlist from Spotify of some of the music at the Vortex during July. The energy at the club is as strong as ever, even with the hot […]
OLIVER’S LONDON JAZZ FESTIVAL DIARY 2017
Day 1 (11 November) The first day of the festival this year. It coincided with Day 316 of the Vortex’s own festival, a year round event. And indeed we were […]
Evan Parker, Mat Maneri, Lucian Ban (19 October) – REVIEW FROM FINANCIAL TIMES
Evan Parker, Mat Maneri and Lucian Ban in London — scrapes, scampers and ululations The trio performed an evening of through-improvised music at the Vortex Jazz Club (By Mike Hobart) […]
Jazzwerkstatt special 24, 25 November
At this special weekend, the Berlin label Jazzwerkstatt celebrates 6 of its line-ups, ranging from the younger (such as Stefan Schulze and Peter Ehwald) through to the more experienced, such […]
Peter Freeman’s October recommendations
After 8th, because we didn’t put it up earlier! 8 De Beren Gieren (Vortex) 9 Freedom (Vortex) 10 Loz Speyer (Ridley Road Market Bar) 10 Cynthia Monk (Capesto) 11 Leo […]
John Jack – ‘I improvised’ (and funeral details)
So sorry to hear about the death of John Jack, such a great supporter of the jazz scene – as manager, promoter, bouncer, record label and distributor. And covering the […]