A new series of monthly Whirlpool concerts begins at the Vortex, with a new cohort of imaginative musicians. They are all recent graduates of the main London music conservatoires and have been selected for their imaginative and creative approaches.
The seven curators are: Ashley Bonfante (saxophones), Jonah Evans (drums), Jacob Gryn (bass), Tom O’Brien (piano, keyboards), Rik van der Made (saxophone), Jemima Whyte (saxophone), Julian Woods (guitar, bass guitar).
The first concert will be based on new pieces curated by each of the musicians. A introduction for audiences to the musicians and to get a flavour of some of the likely directions that the series might evolve over coming months, where each concert will be curated by one or two of the musicians.
The first series of Whirlpool attracted a great group of musicians and increasing interest from press and others alike.
It was created in 2023, in order to help musicians embark on their musical careers, as it helps fill the gap for them in which they find themselves immediately after they graduate. It is named after the album of pianist John Taylor, who was a regular at the Vortex for many years, and indeed was the first person to use our current piano! The scheme consists of a monthly series of gigs, where each of the curators gets to perform original music, and looks to make contacts with musicians who had been on other jazz courses.
Writing about last year’s opener, Sebastian Scotney of UK Jazz News wrote:
“The first night of the new ‘Whirlpool Series’ showed above all the levels of collective and collaborative musicianship and ‘instant composing’ being reached by four of the graduates who have just emerged from the London conservatoires. Their ability to co-operate and dovetail with each other to create something new – particularly considering the four had never met before – and the way they were able to create flow and to tell a story together was nothing short of astonishing.”
The next one will, we are certain, be equally imaginative.
The gigs will be taking place downstairs, starting at 7.30 p.m. extending over two sets. This is in such a way that the audience is able to hear the first set of Whirlpool before going to the show upstairs.
