Brass Mask
A swarming mix of saxophones and brass sit on top of a churning rhythm section, leading to a heady brew of interlocking melodies and rhythms. Drawing influences from areas such as the blues, the music of New Orleans, free jazz and contemporary music, the ensemble sound veers from the simple to joyously chaotic. Brass Mask return to East London for the first time in 8 years!
Time: 7.45 - 10.30PM
Standard £17.50 / Vortex Members £15 / Students & UC beneficiaries £12.5
Emma Rawicz Quintet (2nd Show)
Multi-award winning young saxophonist & composer Emma Rawicz returns to the Vortex with a formidable quintet featuring: Ivo Neame (piano), Jim Hart (vibraphone), Kevin Glasgow (bass) and Marc Michel (drums).
Time: 9.30 - 11PM
Standard £18 / Vortex Members £16 / Students & UC beneficiaries £14
Emma Rawicz Quintet (1st Show)
Multi-award winning young saxophonist & composer Emma Rawicz returns to the Vortex with a formidable quintet featuring: Ivo Neame (piano), Jim Hart (vibraphone), Kevin Glasgow (bass) and Marc Michel (drums).
Time: 7.30 - 9PM
A few extra tickets just released!
Do Disturb (Catchpole/Wilkinson/Moore/Edwards/Prévost)
Blistering sounds from this quintet of veterans of the London free improvisation scene. Their first performance since the release of ‘Do Disturb’ on Matchless Recordings in 2023.
Time: 7.45 - 10.30PM
Standard £15 / Vortex Members £12.5 / Students & UC beneficiaries £10
Jakub Klimiuk Quintet featuring Mark Lockheart – ’(un)balanced’ Album Launch
A London-based guitarist Jakub Klimiuk celebrates the release of his quintet’s latest album ’(un)balanced’. The band, joined by the outstanding saxophonist Mark Lockheart as a special guest, will perform Jakub’s original compositions that blends melodic themes with experimental sonic escapades, merging scripted forms and improvised sections.
Time: 7.45 - 10.30PM
Standard £12.50 / Vortex Members £6.25 / Students & UC beneficiaries £5
Dom Pusey Trio
Dom Pusey Trio’s music unapologetically harks back to the classic organ trio sound, whilst pushing in a modern direction, equally influenced by soul, rock and the BAM tradition.
Time: 6.30 - 8.30PM
Standard, Vortex Members, Students & Unwaged £10
Tom Barford Quintet
Join this stellar line up of Tom Barford (Bill McHenry, Gerald Cleaver, Billy Cobham), James Copus (Jacob Collier, Orlando Le Flemming, Mingus Big Band), Ivo Neame (Hermeto Pascoal, Kenny Wheeler and Gilad Hekselman), Tim Giles (Kenny Wheeler, Norma Winstone, Bobby Wellins) and Dave Whitford (Marc Coplan, Bill Frisell, Dave Liebman, Chris Cheek) as they play an exciting set of Tom’s new original material.
Time: 7.45 - 10.30PM
Standard £15 / Vortex Members £12.5 / Students & UC beneficiaries £10
Vortex Jam Session with Ayo Vincent
A weekly session on Sunday evenings, the jams will be hosted by four of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson, tenor saxophonists Helena Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan (+ a few guests), each one hosting one session on rotation.
Time: 7.45 - 10.30PM
Standard £5 / Free entry for Vortex members & participating musicians
Future Standards & Downstairs Jam
Twice a month, join us on a journey to extend standard jazz repertoire for the 21st century.
Time: 2.30 - 7.30PM
Free Entry
Alice Zawadzki, Fred Thomas & Misha Mullov-Abbado
Inhabiting their own stylistic realm which encompasses Mediterranean folk song, chamber music, improvisation and the world of acoustic jazz, this trio comprises the award-winning singer, violinist and songwriter Alice Zawadzki; multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer Fred Thomas; and jazz bassist and composer Misha Mullov-Abbado.
Time: 7.45 - 10.30PM
Standard £17.50 / Vortex Members £15 / Students & UC beneficiaries £12.5
Laura Jurd Trio + James Kitchman
Playing a wide array of tunes from English Renaissance Melodies to American Spirituals, trumpet player Laura Jurd is joined by her regular trio of Ruth Goller – bass and Corrie Dick – drums, alongside special guest James Kitchman on guitar.
Time: 7.45 - 10.30PM
Standard £15 / Vortex Members £12.5 / Students & UC beneficiaries £10
Lauren Kinsella/Liam Noble/Julian Siegel TRIO
Join us for a very memorable evening bringing together three of London’s finest jazz artists celebrating the art of the ballad!
Time: 7.45 - 10.30PM
Standard £12.50 / Vortex Members £6.25 / Students & UC beneficiaries £5
In the name of Ra
An up-and-coming quartet hailing from around the UK and beyond, RA are coming to the Vortex! Taking influence from jazz, world and free music we provide an eclectic, vibrant sound fusing strong, driven rhythms with broad and expansive melodies.
Time: 6.30 - 8.30PM
Standard £10 / Vortex Members £10 / Students & Unwaged £10
Swing You Sinners
Swing You Sinners is inspired by the collectivism heard in the early jazz recordings of Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet and Cab Calloway, and how these tunes can be brought kicking and screaming into the 21st century by a group of forward-thinking improvisers: Andrew Woodhead, George Crowley, Sam Wooster, Nick Jurd & Jeff Williams.
Time: 7.45 - 10.30PM
Standard £12.50 / Vortex Members £6.25 / Students & UC beneficiaries £5
Jesse Doniach Trio
Hailing from Hackney, East London, pianist Jesse Doniach is quickly emerging as one of the bright young talents in London’s vibrant jazz scene. Graduating from Trinity Laban conservatoire in 2021, he has since accumulated a breadth of performance experience.
Time: 6.30 - 8.30PM
SOLD-OUT
Royal Academy of Music Free Improv Group
Come and hear the great improvisers of the future share their talent in a programme led by Moss Freed and Academy alumnus Chris Williams. This programme represents the culmination of workshops with this special group of Royal Academy of Music students.
Time: 7.45 - 10.30PM
Free Entry
Vortex Jam Session with Helena Kay
A weekly session on Sunday evenings, the jams will be hosted by four of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson, tenor saxophonists Helena Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan (+ a few guests), each one hosting one session on rotation.
Time: 7.45 - 10.30PM
Standard £5 / Free entry for Vortex members & participating musicians
Mopomoso / April
Come & join us for another magical Mopomoso featuring this month: John Butcher (sax), Phil Durrant (mandolin/electronics) & Mark Wastell (percussion) + N.O.Moore (guitar), Dom Lash (bass) & Roger Turner (percussion) + Mike Adcock (accordion/piano) & Stuart Wilding (percussion)
Time: 2 - 5PM
Standard £12 / Vortex Members & Concession £8
Francesca Mondi w/ special guest saxophonist Josh Kemp (stepping in for Lulu Pierre Quartet)
Unfortunately, due to illness, Lulu Pierre is no longer able to perform at the Vortex this coming Saturday.
However, pianist/MD Alex Webb has programmed the excellent Anglo-Italian vocalist Francesca Mondi for an evening of classic songs, Brazilian flavours and touching ballads.
Time: 7.45 - 10.30PM
Standard £17.50 / Vortex Members £15 / Students & UC beneficiaries £12.5
Gareth Lockrane Quintet feat. Nick Costley-White, Ivo Neame, Oli Hayhurst and Gene Calderazzo
Gareth Lockrane is a flautist, pianist, composer/arranger and educator and has had a richly diverse life as musician since studying jazz at the Royal Academy of Music in the 1990s (and also a masters in film scoring at the National Film & Television School), working in many different collaborations and projects.
Time: 7.45 - 10.30PM
Standard £17.50 / Vortex Members £15 / Students & UC beneficiaries £12.5
Di-Cysgodion
Di-Cysgodion, led by Welsh bass player/composer Huw V Williams features Mike De Souza and Billy Marrows both on electric guitar, Jay Davis on drums and Huw V Williams completing the line up on electric bass.
Time: 7.45 - 10.30PM
Standard £12.50 / Vortex Members £6.25 / Students & UC beneficiaries £5
Ronan Guilfoyle’s Bemusement Arcade
Ronan Guilfoyle who has been a major figure in Irish jazz for more than thirty years, presents Bemusement Arcade, his innovative new quartet devoted to expanding the rhythmic language of jazz via the tradition of blues, swing and standards.
Time: 6.30 - 8.30PM
Standard £12 / Vortex Members £12 / Students & UC beneficiaries £12
Shirley Smart Sextet
Acknowledged as one of the UK’s most versatile and creative cellists, trailblazing cellist and composer Shirley Smart’s sextet features a heady blend of North African and Middle Eastern grooves and jazz.
Time: 7.45 - 10.30PM
Standard £12.50 / Vortex Members £6.25 / Students & UC beneficiaries £5
Heinen / Challenger / Heath / Cleasby
Bruno Heinen joins forces with ECM recording artist Tom Challenger to play arrangements of Horace Silver, Bobby Hutcherson and Dorothy Ashby alongside originals from the co-leaders with a fiery young rhythm section of Kobe Heath and Will Cleasby.
Time: 6.30 - 8.30PM
Standard £12.50 / Vortex Members £10 / Students & UC beneficiaries £8
James Brandon Lewis Quartet – Transfiguration (2nd show)
American saxophonist James Brandon Lewis returns to the Vortex for an exclusive UK date, introducing his new quartet record “Transfiguration” (Feb 16th on Intakt Records).
Time: 9.30 - 11PM
Standard £25 / Vortex Members £22 / Students & UC beneficiaries £22
James Brandon Lewis Quartet – Transfiguration (1st show)
American saxophonist James Brandon Lewis returns to the Vortex for an exclusive UK date, introducing his new quartet record “Transfiguration” (Feb 16th on Intakt Records).
Time: 7.30 - 9PM
Last tickets available
Standard £25 / Vortex Members £22 / Students & UC beneficiaries £22
Rakvere Funkfest presents: Anatole Muster (2 shows)
At just 22 years old, Swiss London-based producer and accordion phenomenon Anatole Muster is already making waves in the internatonal music scene! With his fresh take on modern jazz, he’s garnered praise from the likes of Jamie Cullum and collaborated with heavyweights like Tennyson, Kiefer, and Louis Cole!
Time: 7.45 - 11.30PM
Standard £17.50 / Vortex Members & Students £12.50
Vortex Jam Session with Conor Murray
A weekly session on Sunday evenings, the jams will be hosted by four of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson, tenor saxophonists Helena Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan (+ a few guests), each one hosting one session on rotation.
Time: 7.45 - 10.30PM
Standard £5 / Free entry for Vortex members & participating musicians
Future Standards & Downstairs Jam
Twice a month, join us on a journey to extend standard jazz repertoire for the 21st century.
Time: 2.30 - 7.30PM
Free Entry
Brice, Dunmall, Sanders & Yeoh
Pianist & composer Nikki Yeoh returns to the Vortex for an unmissable night with an incredible line-up featuring Olie Brice (bass), Paul Dunmall (saxophone) & Mark Sanders (drums).
Time: 7.30 - 10PM
Standard £20 / Vortex Members £17.5 / Students & UC beneficiaries £15
Hannes Riepler Quartet
Guitarist Hannes Riepler returns to the Vortex with a quartet featuring Tom Barford (sax), Oli Hayhurst (double bass) & Joel Barford (drums).
Time: 7.45 - 10.30PM
Standard £17.50 / Vortex Members £15 / Students & UC beneficiaries £12.50
Joel Ross ‘Good Vibes’ (2nd Show)
Vibraphonist Joel Ross comes to the Vortex with his longtime band “Good Vibes” featuring Jeremy Corren on piano, Kanoa Mendenhall on bass and Jeremy Dutton on drums, as part of a European tour celebrating the release of their latest album “nublues”.
Time: 9.30 - 11.30PM
Standard £25 / Vortex Members £22 / Students & UC beneficiaries £22
Joel Ross ‘Good Vibes’ (1st Show)
Vibraphonist Joel Ross comes to the Vortex with his longtime band “Good Vibes” featuring Jeremy Corren on piano, Kanoa Mendenhall on bass and Jeremy Dutton on drums, as part of a European tour celebrating the release of their latest album “nublues”.
Loz Speyer’s Tumbatareco + Aurelie Freoua + Alex Ward
Join us for this triple bill featuring performances from Loz Speyer (trumpet), Marcio Mattos (double bass), Dave Fowler (drums) & Alex Ward (electric guitar) with live painting from artist Aurelie Freoua
Time: 7.45 - 10.30PM
Standard £12.50 / Vortex Members £6.25 / Students & UC beneficiaries £5
Whirlpool 7: Marta Gornitzka
This month it’s the turn of vocalist Marta to lead our Whirlpool collective.
Time: 7.45 - 10.30PM
Standard £10 / Vortex Members £5 / Students & UC Beneficiaries £5
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.
Time: 7 - 10.30PM
Free Entry
[POSTPONED] TALKING THE GROOVE – BOOK LAUNCH and PERFORMANCE
Unfortunately, due to the ASLEF drivers strike scheduled on Monday 8th April, some of the performers are unable to travel to London for this book launch. The event has now been postponed and we hope to announce a new date shortly. Tickets purchased will remain valid for the new date.
Time: 7.30 - 10.30PM
A new date will be announced as soon as possible.
Vortex Jam Session with Rick Simpson
A weekly session on Sunday evenings, the jams will be hosted by four of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson, tenor saxophonists Helena Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan (+ a few guests), each one hosting one session on rotation.
Time: 7.45 - 10.30PM
Standard £5 / Free entry for Vortex members & participating musicians
London Jazz Orchestra Mid-Season Highlights
The band’s 32nd season at the Vortex has featured a rush of new music, with great new pieces arriving at every gig. This month the band takes stock, pulling them together (with some LJO favourites) into a special set for the Easter season.
Time: 2.30 - 4.30PM
Standard £12.50 / Vortex Members £10 / Students & UC Beneficiaries £8
MARK LOCKHEART’S ‘SMILING’ ALBUM LAUNCH (2nd SHOW)
A special performance with Mark’s new all-star 13 piece group.
Time: 9 - 10.30PM
SOLD-OUT
Mark Lockheart’s ‘Smiling’ album launch (1st Show)
A special performance with Mark’s new all-star 13 piece group.
Paula Rae Gibson – Loving in Real Time – Album Launch
Album launch for the whispery, noir-ish, avant-garde singer Paula Rae Gibson with avant Memorymoog synth innovator pianist and improviser Matthew Bourne will deliver a night of extreme intimacy and bravery, with special guest Alex Bonney.
Time: 7.45 - 10.30PM
Standard £15 / Vortex Members £12.5 / Students & UC beneficiaries £10
Dunajska Kapelye
Join longstanding Vortex favourites Dunajska Kapelye for a night of authentic Balkan and East European folk, Klezmer, Hotclub jazz and the odd standard.
Time: 7.45 - 10.30PM
Standard £12.50 / Vortex Members £6.25 / Students & UC beneficiaries £5
Chris Montague / Ted Morcaldi Guitar Duo
Together Montague and Morcaldi blend electric guitar, classical guitar and sonic exploration within a broad repertoire from Joni Mitchell and The Beatles, Bill Frisell and Ralph Towner, to original compositions and improvisations.
Time: 6.30 - 8.30PM
Standard £10 / Vortex Members £10 / Students & UC beneficiaries £10
Liam Noble & Geoff Simkins
Taking their name, and not much else, from a late Victorian circus act involving the catching of turnips on a fork wedged between his front facing incisors, Noble and Simkins wind and swoop their way around melodies from classic standards to 80s pop.
Time: 7.45 - 10.30PM
Standard £12.50 / Vortex Members £6.25 / Students & UC beneficiaries £5
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.
Time: 7 - 10.30PM
Free Entry
Vortex Jam Session with Helena Kay
A weekly session on Sunday evenings, the jams will be hosted by four of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson, tenor saxophonists Helena Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan (+ a few guests), each one hosting one session on rotation.
Time: 7.45 - 10.30PM
Standard £5 / Free entry for Vortex members & participating musicians
Georgia Mancio Quartet
Multi-award-winning jazz vocalist, lyricist and producer, Georgia Mancio, is a supreme storyteller, creating work of authenticity, adventure, beauty and bite. Whether interpreting her own luminous originals or standards, Georgia’s evoking performances connect deeply with her audiences and linger long in the mind.
Time: 7.45 - 10.30PM
Standard £17.50 / Vortex Members £15 / Students & UC beneficiaries £12.50
Dalston Song Club
Two singer songwriters join Matthew Herd to perform in the round as part of our intimate, late night series. This month features Immy Churchill and Arun Thavasothy.
Time: 10 - 2AM
Standard £10 / Vortex Members, Students & UC Beneficiaries £8
Sun-Mi Hong Quintet
The Sun-Mi Hong Quintet is an emerging addition to the European scene of improvised and contemporary jazz music. The Quintet walks the line between elaborate composition and the great void that is improvised music.
Time: 7.45 - 10.30PM
SOLD-OUT