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…
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…
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.
More info coming soon
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
There are regularly places where jazz and humour come together (or at least try to!). More successful instances are ‘Jazz Club’ on the Fast Show, Stewart Lee (passim). And most…
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.
Four improvisers dedicated to the whole history of Jazz come together to explore their original compositions and free playing.
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!
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).
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.
Another unmissable Mopomoso featuring: Paul Jolly (sax/clarinets), Mike Adcock (accordion/bits&pieces) & Sylvia Hallett (violin/saw etc) + John Butcher (sax) & Pascal Marzan (guitar) + MC3 – Matt Clark (guitar), James Edmunds (drums) & Charlotte Keeffe (trumpet & flugelhorn)
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.
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!
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.
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.
There is perennial discussion relating to jazz about funding for jazz. But even with inadequate resources, it survives and indeed thrives. …..Or does it? That’s the theme of this week’s…
James Allsopp, one of our most imaginative saxophonists, both technically and lyrically, has managed to get together for this one-off show two of our great jazz musicians, generally nowadays not…
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.