eavesdropping returns to East London for another four-day festival, curated by Juliet Fraser, which includes four evening double-bill events (at Cafe OTO) and a weekend-long forum of provocations exploring ‘Experiments in Magic’ (at Vortex).

Singer/visual artist Paula Rae Gibson presents her latest album, “The Roles We Play To Disappear”, an immersive work that mixes experimental songs, ambient electronica and avant-jazz produced/performed with electronic musician and trumpeter Alex Bonney and pianist Matthew Bourne.

Soft Machine, from their earliest performances as a psychedelic band who were contemporaries of, and shared stages with, Syd Barrett’s Pink Floyd and the Jimi Hendrix Experience, all the way to being one of Europe’s best known ‘fusion’ groups, has influenced several generations of bands, and continues to be name-checked by today’s hip experimentalists.

Rob Luft is undeniably one of the most exciting jazz guitarists in Europe of his generation. Hailing from London, this award-winning virtuoso has garnered comparisons to legends such as John McLaughlin, Al Di Meola & Pat Metheny. Don’t miss him returning to the Vortex with a quartet featuring: Joe Wright (tenor sax),Tom McCredie (bass guitar) & Corrie Dick (drums).

John Taylor, one of jazz’s greatest pianists and a founder member of the LJO, died 10 years ago. The band honours his memory with his Quatorze Suite, alongside music he inspired from his successors on piano, Pete Saberton and Alcyona Mick, and from director Scott Stroman with his homage to JT, JT23.

A collaborative multi-national trio featuring 3 leading voices in the international jazz scene: Will Vinson on sax & keys, Gilad Hekselman on guitar, and Nate Wood on drums & bass.

A collaborative multi-national trio featuring 3 leading voices in the international jazz scene: Will Vinson on sax & keys, Gilad Hekselman on guitar, and Nate Wood on drums & bass.

Green in Blue, this stunning duo of two world class musicians, saxophonist Iain Ballamy and pianist Gareth Williams will literally dazzle listeners with their original compositions and harmonically sophisticated new takes on jazz standards.

Acclaimed as composers as well as instrumentalists, sharing multiple awards and seven albums as leaders between them, saxophonist Alex Hitchcock and guitarist Ant Law have created a startlingly vivid new soundworld in their trailblazing group ‘Same Moon in the Same World’.

A brand new electric based project from composer and band leader Calum Gourlay. Brand new music and compositions by Thelonious Monk and Ornette Coleman.

After three months touring and recording in Brazil, London-based singer-songwriter Noga Ritter returns for a special night at the Vortex Jazz Club, bringing new, unreleased music alongside songs from her critically acclaimed album Ima.

Queer Jazz exists to platform, nurture and celebrate the emerging queer jazz scene. Programmed by Tina Edwards and Arowah, they have put together an exciting monthly programme of innovative LGBTQI+ artists at The Vortex Jazz Club, supported by Arts Council England.

One of Emma’s newest line-ups come to the Vortex fresh from recording at Maida Vale Studios and broadcasts on BBC Radio. Having already demonstrated her prowess as a writer for her Jazz Orchestra and quartet, Emma has turned her attention to writing for string quartet and piano and is relishing the challenge!

One of Emma’s newest line-ups come to the Vortex fresh from recording at Maida Vale Studios and broadcasts on BBC Radio. Having already demonstrated her prowess as a writer for her Jazz Orchestra and quartet, Emma has turned her attention to writing for string quartet and piano and is relishing the challenge!

Guitarist Hannes Riepler returns to the Vortex with a quartet featuring George Crowley Haffner (sax), Freddie Jensen (double bass) & James Maddren (drums).

The Day After are an improvising trio – Pat Thomas ; piano, Gary Willcox ; drums, Olie Brice ; double bass – of great dynamic range & depth.

Jazz Africa is Basil Hodge’s exciting new project. This five-piece band will perform a range of music from Africa so you will hear Jazz fused with a mixture of Afrobeat, Township and Funk rhythms. Expect breath taking musicianship including djembe and percussion skills from these excellent players.

Ivo Neame’s “Dodeka” is a special, new band formed in 2022 performing original music written by Neame.

Ivo Neame’s “Dodeka” is a special, new band formed in 2022 performing original music written by Neame.

London based guitarist and composer David Preston returns to the Vortex with a quartet featuring: Jonny Mansfield (vibraphone), Conor Chaplin (double bass) and Marc Michel (drums).

A lauded master on the European Jazz scene, Paul Dunmall celebrates his 72nd birthday with this specially invited Sextet. Multi generational and drawing from a wide variety of inspirations this particular ensemble is well suited to Dunmall’s program for this concert.

“A saxophonist who embodies and transcends tradition” (The New York Times), James Brandon Lewis has become, in just over a decade, one of the most celebrated young artists in jazz. Tonight, his live trio featuring electric bassist Josh Werner and drummer Gerald Cleaver celebrates the release of his new album “Apple Cores”.

“A saxophonist who embodies and transcends tradition” (The New York Times), James Brandon Lewis has become, in just over a decade, one of the most celebrated young artists in jazz. Tonight, his live trio featuring electric bassist Josh Werner and drummer Gerald Cleaver celebrates the release of his new album “Apple Cores”.

Vasilis Xenopoulos and Paul Edis began playing together 20 years ago, when they had both relocated to West London to study. Originally from Greece, Vasilis had just finished studying at Berklee College in the US, whilst Paul had moved South from the Northeast of England.

Doors 7:45 PM, Music 8:30 PM – 2 set(s) of music   Line-up: Filomena Campus – Vocals & Effects Steve Lodder – Piano Charlie Pyne – Double Bass   About…