KAIYO 3 explore the interactive potential of the jazz piano trio, taking inspiration from some of the great facilitators of group improvisation, Bill Evans, Jimmy Guiffre and Miles Davis.

The band features some of the most distinctive improvisers on the London Jazz scene including Alec Harper (Sax), Rupert Cox (Keys), Huw V Williams (Bass) and Jay Davis (Drums).

A weekly session on Sunday evenings, hosted by four of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson and tenor saxophonists Helena Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan, each one hosting one session on rotation.

Tom joins forces with a heavyweight rhythm section Joe Lee (electric bass) and Jay Davis (drums) to perform Steve Swallow’s hard swinging suite of trio music from his 2003 live album ‘Damaged in Transit’ for a unique one-off concert.

Saxophonist and composer Tineke Postma returns to the Vortex with a special project with her drummer Tristan Renfrow alongside guitarist Ant Law and bassist Andrea Di Biase.

Brand new music from bassist and composer Calum Gourlay. Featuring a band of longtime collaborators meeting for the first time.

Comprising leading figures from the UK’s improvised music scene, Union Division celebrate the launch of their debut release Micromotives on Discus Music: a daring and anarchic approach to spontaneous music-making from ensemble leader Moss Freed.

Tom Challenger (Saxophone) joins with Hans Koller (Piano) exploring recently written materials for Quartet which also features exciting talents Kobe Heath Ngugi (Bass) and Adam Merrell (Drums).

This week’s online discussions wonders if the balance between recordings and live music is changing. Recordings are vital to musicians. But remuneration is worse than ever. So are we seeing…

A weekly session on Sunday evenings, hosted by four of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson and tenor saxophonists Helena Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan, each one hosting one session on rotation.

Warm, reflective, open-hearted and lyrical jazz. A Hologram Maze is led by pianist/composer David Austin Grey. The band features five of the UK’s finest improvisers, all close friends, who bring a deep sense of understanding and common purpose to each composition.

A rare opportunity to witness the musical alchemy of these world class musicians for the very first time at the Vortex.

A rare opportunity to witness the musical alchemy of these world class musicians for the very first time at the Vortex.

For this gig the Billy Marrows Band will be expanded to a sextet featuring three special-guest horn players. They will be playing a selection of Billy’s compositions and favourite tunes arranged specially for this line-up, including music from Billy’s upcoming debut release and some new music.

The Alex Wilson Trio are a London-based contemporary jazz group, featuring three of most exciting improvisers on the UK scene. The group’s music written by Alex Wilson draws on contemporary jazz composers from the European and American jazz scenes, including Kit Downes, Gerald Clayton, Craig Taborn, and others, while also touching on classical music, folk song, and contemporary electronic music.

A weekly session on Sunday evenings, hosted by four of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson and tenor saxophonists Helena Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan, each one hosting one session on rotation.

Hailed by the New York Times as “a tenor saxophonist with an enigmatic, elegant and hard-driving style,” J.D. Allen is one of the most thoughtful jazz saxophonists on the scene today.

A quintet led by trumpet player and composer Miguel Gorodi featuring: Nathaniel Facey (alto sax), Alcyona Mick (piano), Calum Gourlay (bass) and James Maddren (drums).

Luís Vicente, Olie Brice, Mark Sanders, three resourceful and strong-minded improvisers play their own version of free-fiery music with an impressive organic interplay, with a natural flow and quiet authority, generous degrees of trust, respect empathy, compassion and a strong poetic sense.

Internationally acclaimed jazz vocalist Marta Gornitzka embraces both her Eastern European heritage and her love for the Great American Songbook, blending and bending the branches of jazz.

How can we make 2023 a positive year for creativity and improvised music in particular? It doesn’t look like a good year for public money. But maybe we can survive…

The London Jazz Orchestra returns to its Vortex home to continue London’s longest jazz residency.

Cathy Jordan, Liam Noble & Paul Clarvis joined forces to create a new big sound from small resources for a lockdown commission…

Trumpeter, Composer & Arranger Duncan Fraser brings his Septet back to the Vortex featuring some acclaimed young players on the London scene.

The Sam Norris Quartet brings together some of the most creative and distinctive young musicians on the London jazz scene- pianist Jay Verma, double bassist Harry Pearce and drummer Adam Merrell- to perform Sam’s original compositions.

Myra Brownbridge is a new face on the London Jazz Scene, having recently recorded her debut album, you’ll be one of the first to hear these songs. She enjoys a busy career playing double bass, composing and teaching jazz across the UK.

Back after a 2-year enforced break, bring in 2023 in good company with divine Gypsy and Swing Jazz, blues, tangos and a few jazz standards. 

Always great in these intimate gigs, Britain’s finest jazz vocalist, producer and songsmith, Ian Shaw hosts an exuberant party with a set of appropriately festive songs.

Two cellist/jazz singers join forces to express their take on the world of standards, Latin, originals plus more. So sit back and enjoy this cellicious ride from bebop to the blues and Bach again!

Legendary English guitarist John Etheridge returns to the Vortex with sensational vocalist Vimala Rowe for another evening of passion and soul.

Rising star drummer Phelan Burgoyne brings together some of London’s finest improvising musicians for a set of brand new original compositions.

Rising star drummer Phelan Burgoyne brings together some of London’s finest improvising musicians for a set of brand new original compositions.

A 13-piece ensemble exploring and celebrating musical ideas and imagined movements of Charlie Parker and George Russell

A 13-piece ensemble exploring and celebrating musical ideas and imagined movements of Charlie Parker and George Russell

Featuring musicians from such projects as Yussef Dayes, Loyle Carner and Kokoroko, drummer Harry Ling solo project Mackwood blurs the lines between explorative songwriting, powerful Jazz improv, and progressive synthesis and sound design.

from the mind of pianist/composer olly chalk, comes ‘to smithereens!’ an assembly of five of the most unique emerging voices from within the london improvised music scene: olly chalk, ruta sipola, daniel kemshell, hugo piper & corrie dick – drums

Tonight, saxophonist Mark Lockheart & pianist Huw Warren play as a duo, mixing original material, featuring compositions by the English master John Taylor and some reworkings of folk and jazz standards. Nothing forced or overstated, but precisely the kind of creative conversation you might expect from two old friends and musical partners in crime.

We welcome back the World Music Big Band lead by Ian Bumstead on Tenor sax and featuring Alison Rayner on Bass and Mark Huggett on drums.

The John Bennett Band (15 piece jazz ensemble) returns to the Vortex for their first gig since the pandemic.