“While Rainey’s evocative, time-morphing and occasionally implosive drumming plays a central role in the musical materiality here, his trio is very much an integrated ensemble. The commanding component parts are…

Calum Gourlay’s Big Band kicks off the start of its fourth year in residence at The Vortex. Featuring some of London’s leading musicians and improvisers and new music written specially…

Trumpeter, Composer & Arranger Duncan Fraser brings his new project, The Duncan Fraser Septet, to the Vortex, featuring some acclaimed young players on the London scene. Previous to this ensemble,…

We are delighted to start our 30th anniversary year with a programme reflecting the breadth of influences to be found in the free improvising world. Line up Caroline Kraabel (sax)…

Jean Toussaint has been at the forefront of the British Jazz Scene since his arrival from the US in the late eighties. A former member of the legendary Art Blakey’s…

For the very first Grass Roots of 2020, discover Ħoss Project – a fresh, contemporary and experimental jazz quartet whose raison d’être is improvisation and on-the-spot creative collaboration.   The band line…

Kasai Masai’s music reflects their journey from the rural to urban, performing music which has been passed on from generation to generation combined with their own contemporary style. Written in…

London-based saxophonist and award-winning composer mixes contemporary jazz sounds with rural North Yorkshire

A well balanced and highly democratic unit who bring a contemporary slant to the jazz organ combo.. joyous, invigorating.. fluent and absorbing – [www.thejazzmann.com] With the release of their second…

Steve Fishwick – trumpet, Sam Braysher – alto sax, James Alsopp – tenor sax, Owen Dawson – trombone, Mick Foster – bass clarinet, Nick Costley-White – guitar, Alcyona Mick – piano, Oli Hayhurst – bass, Tim Giles – drums, John Warren – director

The core team consists of Orphy Robinson, Cleveland Watkiss, Tori Handsley and Paul Bradshaw who are joined by an array of guests. You never know who’s going to drop in. In essence the team strive to…

Kenny Wheeler, a founder member of the London Jazz Orchestra, would have been 90 years old on January 14. A uniquely gifted soloist, he was one of the greatest composers…

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Vimala Rowe is unfortunately no longer able to perform on Saturday 11th January. John Etheridge will now be joined by Pete Whittaker (organ) & Nic France (drums).

PENNY RIMBAUD & EVE LIBERTINE  present  ‘JUST ANOTHER JERUSALEM’ – POEMS OF LANDSCAPE, LOVE AND LOSS – with LIAM NOBLE/piano, KATE SHORTT Shortt/cello, ED JONES/saxes. + Eve Libertine performs works…

Sean Payne is a London Based Saxophonist and Composer. Growing up in a musical family, Sean started learning the saxophone at the age of 8, and starting seriously learning Jazz…

Tonight, Ewan Moore joins forces with some of the UK’s finest talents to showcase his project Pitchfork. With a nod to the work of Elvin Jones’ Drum Machine and Tony…

The Olie Brice Quintet plays melodic, fiery, emotional free jazz drawing on Jewish liturgical music and the jazz tradition. “One of the most interesting and satisfying bands on the current UK scene.” Richard Williams

Will Cleasby is a jazz drummer originally from Lincolnshire and now based in south east London after gaining a first class degree in Jazz Performance at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of…

An exciting all-star group to get the New Year going. Scott Stroman gets together the likes of Jason Rebello, Sting’s pianist for many years, and the legendary Steve Williamson, anchored by the dependable dynamism of Calum Gourlay and Winston Clifford

An exciting all-star group to get the New Year going. Scott Stroman gets together the likes of Jason Rebello, Sting’s pianist for many years, and the legendary Steve Williamson, anchored by the dependable dynamism of Calum Gourlay and Winston Clifford

Seeds Of Creation offer a distinctive take on jazz, drawing on Arabic and Afro-blues influences. The five-piece create an absorbing, compulsively danceable sound, drawing on the Algerian roots of founder…

The Procrastinators’ New Year’s Eve Party has become something of a tradition at The Vortex. It’s the New Year’s Eve Party with no pressure. You don’t even have to enjoy…

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. Whether it’s his radical…

Estelle Kokot Piano and vocals Mick Hutton Bass Kate Shortt Cello and vocals Paul Robinson Drums ‘And the blowback is your Plato without any even numbers Freedom is your biggest…

Gilad Atzmon and The Orient house Ensemble return to the Vortex with a new retrospective program. Two decades of intensive musical creativity  are squeezed into a two hours journey: from…

Ray Carless & Club Skaaville Allstars – Windrush Celebration Jazz Party Back in 2018 Jamaican born saxophonist and band leader Ray Carless recruited the cream of musicians well versed in…

Gilad Atzmon and The Orient house Ensemble return to the Vortex with a new retrospective program. Two decades of intensive musical creativity  are squeezed into a two hours journey: from…

As at home with standards or singing Brazilian songs, she appears on the Cinematic Orchestra’s album “Live at The Royal Albert Hall” and has toured extensively with the band over…

After the success of OK Computer and Kid A, in 2007 Radiohead turned out what is regarded as their third masterpiece – In Rainbows. This evening will feature a live…

The last Grass Roots session of 2019 greets the return, by popular demand, of TimeBurn.  Fronted and directed by dexterous drummer Justin ‘Time’ Pickett, this fiery fusion quintet also features Kenny…

A new suite of original compositions from Loose Tubes flautist and keys player Eddie Parker is always an exciting event. Eddie’s is a unique voice, both intelligent and accessible. His…

This month’s line up: Evan Parker (sax) John Edwards (bass) Mark Sanders (drums) Tom Challenger (sax)   The spectrum of music played by Evan Parker ranges from “free jazz” to…

Will Vinson Originally from London, Alto Saxophonist/Composer Will Vinson moved to New York City in 1999 and has remained there ever since. Since his arrival, he has appeared and/or recorded…

Nye Banfield is an ambitious jazz saxophonist, composer and bandleader based in South East London and recently graduated from Trinity Laban. His biggest influences are Wayne Shorter, Miles Davis, Kendrick…

Join the 17-piece Mo Jazz Orchestra for a festive evening of eclectic Big Band tunes. Joined by special guest singer Giulia Marelli, their dynamic repertoire will include Tower of Power,…

MOPOMOSO CHRISTMAS SHOW: Every year Mopomoso hosts a cross section of players from the improvising music community in an end of year Christmas show. Around thirty or so musicians take…

Our monthly residency continues for a big band initiated by bassist Calum Gourlay, known for his great work with Thelonious, an award-winning solo album and more. “I want it to…

The last in the Blow the Fuse Resistance season which celebrated 30 years of BTF 1989 – 2019.   Deirdre Cartwright guitar Annie Whitehead trombone Alison Rayner double bass Winston Clifford drums …

Twice as Nice celebrates the art of the duo. All through Jazz there have been pairings of masterful musicians – from Bill Evans/Jim Hall, Duke Ellington/John Coltrane, Don Cherry/Ed Blackwell…

The core team consists of Orphy Robinson, Cleveland Watkiss, Tori Handsley and Paul Bradshaw who are joined by an array of guests. You never know who’s going to drop in.…

In its long history the LJO’s piano chair has been filled by some of the greatest names in jazz, beginning with the magnificent John Taylor. December’s session features Taylor’s Quatorze…

“After last year’s joyful ‘Christ-Mess Extravaganza’ the Andrew Linham Jazz Orchestra are welcomed back to the Vortex this festive season with original big band music composed by enigmatic leader and…