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Wed 15 March 2023

Will Cleasby Trio

Jazz drummer Will Cleasby brings his trio to the Vortex feat. pianist Will Barry and bassist Will Sach.

Tue 14 March 2023

Sun 12 March 2023

Vortex Jam Session hosted by Rick Simpson

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.

London Jazz Orchestra

London’s longest jazz residency continues as superb tenor saxophonist Josephine Davies, member of the LJO for over 10 years, returns as featured composer and soloist. Vocalist Brigitte Beraha is also present to sing pieces by Davies, pianist Alcyona Mick, Tori Freestone (Davies’ successor), and director Scott Stroman.

Sat 11 March 2023

Dunajska Kapelye

A rip-roaring musical ride through Eastern Europe and beyond – from plaintive Gypsy ballads to tub-thumping Romanian dance tunes, with a smattering of tango, Hot Club and klezmer – all shot through with searing jazz improvisation.

Fri 10 March 2023

Marble Sun [LATE NIGHT]

Celebrating the launch of their debut EP ‘Thresholds,’ the duo are taking over the Vortex as we host a live electronic music set for the first time – join us for a special late night show that is not to be missed.

Thu 09 March 2023

Tara Cunningham

Tara’s performance tonight will be a celebration of free improvisation joined by esteemed fellow musicians Caius Williams (bass/electronics) and Will Glaser (drums).

Wed 08 March 2023

Rafe’s Dilemma

A contemporary take on classic Jazz quartet co-composed by Jamil Sheriff and Nel Begley. Find yourself immersed in synthesised soundscapes, electronic improvisation & spoken word, exploring themes of power, class and control with a humorously bold and energetic voice.

Tue 07 March 2023

Midweek Downstairs Jam

Welcoming and relaxed, come for a drink, sit back and enjoy the music, or bring your horns, sticks and strings to join in during the second set.

Vortex discussion 131: Making an impact

What does he need to do to make an impact with improvised music? Great technique, emotion or something else? And if the aim is to make it more ‘lasting’ what…

Sun 05 March 2023

Sat 04 March 2023

Matt/Stan Sulzmann Quintet

The first joint outing of British saxophonists Matthew and Stan Sulzmann, this new group was formed in 2022 to celebrate their musical bond. With a focus on creativity and virtuosic improvisation, the group explores some of the pair’s favourite music spanning original compositions and selections from the tradition.

A Standard Afternoon

Come down for a drink downstairs with performances from a rotating group of London-based singers and instrumentalists. Arrive early if you’d also like to join in for when the sets open to the floor – all welcome!

Fri 03 March 2023

Bruno Heinen Quartet [LATE NIGHT]

A new venture for award winning pianist Bruno Heinen, here playing vibraphone, and leading a quartet of some of London’s most exciting young musicians.

Thu 02 March 2023

Ferdinando Romano’s Totem feat. Freddie Gavita

Ferdinando Romano is a doublebass player, composer and improviser. His reputation has increasingly grown since he was awarded in the Top Jazz 2020 (Musica Jazz’s annual Critics Poll) as “Best Italian Rising Star”.

Wed 01 March 2023

Duncan Eagles Quartet

Duncan Eagles a London-based saxophonist who performs regularly at venues and festivals all over the world.
Described by BBC Radio as a “rising star of British Jazz” Duncan is attracting attention for his distinctive sound and virtuosic improvising.

Tue 28 February 2023

Vortex discussion 130 – hearing (about) the music

How do we hear about music nowadays? The famous quote, allegedly by Frank Zappa, is that ‘writing about music is like dancing to architecture’. With less attention to the written word,…

Sun 26 February 2023

Vortex Jam Session hosted by Riley Stone-Lonergan

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.

Mopomoso Live – February

This month’s Mopomoso we will be celebrating Art and Music! Feat. Gina Southgate & Charles Hayward (percussion) + Aurelie Freoua & Terry Day + Gwendolyn Kassenaar, Meg Morley (piano) & Hannah Marshall (cello)

Sat 25 February 2023

Pigfoot Play Ellington

An imaginative reworking of a range of Duke Ellington’s iconic compositions, from the early Cotton Club blues material to Swing hits and through to the exotica that was inspired by Ellington’s extensive travels.

Fri 24 February 2023

Barry Green / Brigitte Beraha / Alan Barnes

Brigitte Beraha and Barry Green have a musical relationship that stretches almost twenty years. Tonight they explore new music and standards with the great saxophonist Alan Barnes.

Thu 23 February 2023

Basil Hodge Quartet

Basil Hodge brings is popular quartet to The Vortex. The band will play Basil’s compositions from his critically acclaimed album ” A Point of Reference plus songs from his impressive back catalogue.

Wed 22 February 2023

Tori Freestone/Alcyona Mick Duo + Tori Freestone Trio [Double Bill]

Tonight will feature the music from Tori’s recent trio release with Dave Manington & Tim Giles as well as fresh compositions composed during the lockdown for the upcoming co led duo with Alcyona Mick.

Tue 21 February 2023

Midweek Downstairs Jam

Welcoming and relaxed, come for a drink, sit back and enjoy the music, or bring your horns, sticks and strings to join in during the second set.

Sun 19 February 2023

Vortex Jam Session hosted by Jas Kayser

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.

Sat 18 February 2023

Jean Toussaint – JT4

Saxophonist Jean Toussaint presents a special edition of his quartet JT4 feat. Emile Hinton (piano), Mutale Chashi, (bass) & Ben Brown (drums).

A Standard Afternoon

Come down for a drink downstairs with performances from a rotating group of London-based singers and instrumentalists. Arrive early if you’d also like to join in for when the sets open to the floor – all welcome!

Fri 17 February 2023

Joy Ellis Trio, Peaceful Place – UK Tour

Joy Ellis is a jazz pianist, singer and composer based in London and an alumni of Guildhall School of Music & Drama.

Thu 16 February 2023

Richard Fairhurst Trio

Steinway Artist and BBC Jazz Award winner Richard Fairhurst brings his trio to the Vortex featuring the propulsive bass work of Dave Whitford and brilliant drummer Tim Giles. Their music combines both cerebral and lyrical improvisation full of emotion with high-energy grooves.

Wed 15 February 2023

The Aidan Pope Trio

As part of their UK tour, the Aidan Pope Trio comes to The Vortex to play their new record ‘Standard State’. Expect a mixture of originals, jazz standards and favourite tunes of the young guitarist who aims to alter the state of these pieces, finding new material within.

Tue 14 February 2023

Vortex discussion 128 – originality

There’s nothing new under the sun. How necessary is originality for a person to be heard and be creative? Indeed, with AI now mimicking everything, maybe it’s becoming an impossible…

Sun 12 February 2023

Kevin Hays and Lily Lyons

Grammy Award-winning jazz pianist, composer, and singer/songwriter Kevin Hays’s many recordings have received critical acclaim from The New York Times, Downbeat Magazine and Jazz Times, as well as the “Coup de Coeur” award from the Académie Charles Cros (France). Lily Lyons is a singer and songwriter based in London brought up on Latin American music, big band, soul and folk.

London Jazz Orchestra

More info coming soon

Sat 11 February 2023

Sanders/Musson/Brice

Three of the most exciting improvisers in the country, in an ongoing trio that ranges from fiery, propulsive free jazz to the most detailed explorations of sound and texture.

Fri 10 February 2023

Rachael Cohen Quartet

From the Shetland Islands, via the ‘City of Edinburgh Music School’ and Birmingham Conservatoire, Rachael Cohen now finds herself amongst the top players on London’s vibrant Jazz scene and one the leading voices of her generation.

Thu 09 February 2023

Mark Lockheart’s ‘Another Big Idea’

This special concert is a rare insight into the very first stages of an ambitious new 12-piece musical project by Mark. Featuring Nathaniel Facey, James Allsopp, George Crowley, Rowland Sutherland, Laura Jurd, John Parricelli, Tom Herbert, Dave Smith, Jim Rattigan, Mike Soper, Harry Maund and Anna Drysdale.

Wed 08 February 2023

Kristian Borring Quartet

Kristian Borring, Danish jazz guitarist and composer, has been praised for his sense of tasteful melody and colorful harmony delivered in a cool playground of rhythm.

Tue 07 February 2023

Midweek Downstairs Jam

Welcoming and relaxed, come for a drink, sit back and enjoy the music, or bring your horns, sticks and strings to join in during the second set.

Sun 05 February 2023

Vortex Jam Session hosted by Riley Stone-Lonergan

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.

Sat 04 February 2023

A Standard Afternoon

Come down for a drink downstairs with performances from a rotating group of London-based singers and instrumentalists. Arrive early if you’d also like to join in for when the sets open to the floor – all welcome!

Fri 03 February 2023

Ron Magril Quartet – Until Now Album Launch

A celebration of Ron Magril’s debut album, Until Now, released on Ubuntu Music. Feat. Ron Magril (electric guitar), Yonatan Riklis (piano), Oren Hardy (double bass) and Yonatan Rosen (drums). 

Thu 02 February 2023

KAIYO 3

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.

Wed 01 February 2023

Mike De Souza’s Chrysalis Group

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).

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