The Vortex Jazz Club, 11 Gillett Square, London N16 8JH | Bookings 020 7254 4097 | Enquiries 020 7993 3643 | Email Info at Vortex

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The story of The Vortex Jazz Club

The Vortex Galleries

The Vortex Jazz Club started life as an art gallery and cafe with occasional live music in North London's Chruch Street - in the heart of Stoke Newington.

In 1984, David Mossman (London cabbie and entrepreneur), and his business partner Irving Kinnersley, opened the Vortex Galleries on the first floor of the building in Church Street. On the ground floor they ran a second-hand book shop, cafe and art materials shop.

This off the beaten track gallery neither attracted wealthy customers nor the critics it needed for commercial success so the partners turned their attention to new ways of running the business and hit on the idea of promoting live jazz - either an extremely courageous or naively foolhardy decision. In 1987 The Vortex Jazz Bar was launched.

London's 'listening jazz club'

From the beginning the music was progressive and the Vortex quickly established a reputation for innovative programming. Within two years the club was known as 'London's listening jazz club' attracting both top international musicians as well as up-and-coming British talent.

During the recession, like many small businesses, the club suffered badly, but while many other small jazz venues had to close down, the Vortex managed to survive through ingenuity and sheer will power - helped enormously by the very positive support of musicians who were willing to play for door money only.

Jazz Rumours, Jazz Umbrella, Blow the Fuse
Pirate Jenny's

It was at this time that David Mossman, now operating as sole manager, invited several other thriving local clubs to make their home at the Vortex. By bringing these independently organised clubs together under one roof, the Vortex catered for different audiences with a diverse range of music. In this way, rewarding associations began with Jazz Rumours, Jazz Umbrella , Blow the Fuse and Pirate Jenny's.

During the 1990s the Vortex went from strength to strength - gigs were broadcast on national radio and the club was reviewed regularly in the national press. By the end of the decade David Mossman had been managing the Vortex seven days a week for seven years – programming music, managing the restaurant, bar and shops. It was a constant struggle financially and physically to keep it all going and he felt that the time had come when he wanted to give up most of the daily grind.

But the music was too important to lose and by now the Vortex had become the heart and soul of the local music-loving community as well as having built up a national and international reputation.

Ocean

It seemed fortuitous when Ocean, a new music trust developing a project in Hackney's Mare Street, approached the Vortex with the idea of hosting the club in the new venue.

With the lease on the building in Church Street due for renewal in March 2002, Arrangements went ahead for the Vortex to move home. However, despite early optimism plans never came to fruition, the Vortex remained in Stoke Newington and Ocean has now closed.

The future of the club remained uncertain. The building was rented and the lease was coming up for renewal. It became more and more difficult to meet the stringent requirements of the entertainment licening laws and, worryingly, a considerable amount of money was needed to upgrade the building to meet them.

Vortex Jazz Foundation

In April 2001 a group of supporters got together and formed the Vortex Jazz Foundation. Its purpose was to upgrade the building, eventually with a view to buying it from the landlord, and to expand the activities of the club to include educational services in jazz and related music.

But David Mossman's negotiations to renew the lease, which expired at the end of March 2002, were not completed and, without his knowledge, the premises were sold to a new landlord.

David Mossman negotiated a short lease with the new landlord that expired at the end of May 2004. It quickly transpired that the new owner had plans to redevelop the site and over the next few months an acrimonious relationship developed and it became apparent that the club could not stay where it was. As a result he focus of the campaign changed to finding a new home for the club.

The Dalston Culture House

Fortuitously The Vortex was able to move to The Dalston Culture House in May 2005 where the new landlord is Hackney Co-operative Developments.

The Vortex now occupies the ground and first floors of the building. Il Bacio has opened on the ground floor, leaving the first floor free for daytime and evening music programming.

In May 2006 the Vortex celebrated it's first year 'anniversary' in the new premises with John Dankworth and Cleo Laine headlining a special programme.

2007 sees the club marking it's 20th anniversary year. Despite enormous financial difficulties The Vortex still survives as a world class jazz venue and will continue to play a key role in the development of jazz in the 21st century.

If you would like to support the Vortex please visit the support page for ways you can help.

Vortex archive

The Vortex brings jazz renaissance to East End

The Vortex party 14 March 2000

Paul Bradley's presentation speech

Letter to The Vortex May 2004

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