Vortex Outdoors

Sunday 28 September 2008 – 1pm to 7pm

Gillett Square N16

The Vortex, in partnership with Lifeforce Muzic, BrazenBunch and Hackney Cooperative Developments, presents a free outdoor event on Sunday 28th September 2008 as part of the launch of the UK’s Cultural Olympiad.

Vortex Outdoors marks the start of a new initiative to widen access to the diversity and quality of music being performed in the Vortex Jazz Club in Dalston.

Throughout September and October selected music students from BSIX 6th Form College in Hackney will participate in workshops led by Lifeforce Muzic and BrazenBunch at The Vortex Jazz Club.

Forming an integral part of the Vortex Outdoors event, these young musicians will give an open rehearsal together with the Lifeforce Band and a number of headlining acts on Sunday 28 September.

BSIX students will give their final performance, supported by local emerging artists at The Vortex Jazz Club on Monday 13 October.

This Vortex Outdoors will act as the launch event for a number of off-shoot collaborative performances, at The Vortex Jazz Club and Gillett Square, throughout 08/ 09.

This event has gratefully received confirmed support from Open Rehearsal, Arts Council England, PRS Foundation and HBOS Foundation.

Featured artists include:

Imaani

A featured lead vocalist for Incognito, Reel People and Copyright and can be heard alongside Amp Fiddler and Chaka Khan as part of the Hope Collective charity single. Imaani has performed at the world's largest festivals and live to a staggering 100 million people with her contribution to the Eurovision Song Contest.

Zena Edwards

is a spoken word artist and singer fusing a unique blend of hip-hop, jazz rhythms and traditional instruments to create soundtracks for her captivating words and stories. Zena has performed at many festivals worldwide and featured on many collaborations with artistis such as Jamie Woon and Positive Flow.

Andreya Triana

Performed in front of 20,000 people at Live8 with her then band Bootis and has already made substantial waves with her solo career. Performing emotive songs this new artist will be performing at many festivals in 2008 including the Big Chill.

Abdul Shyllon

From the East side of London, this original singer/songwriter featured on Mark de Clive-Lowe's album and on tracks by Sinbad and Supersonic Revelation. Abdul sings with strong emotion evoking the classic soul crooners Marvin Gaye and Sam Cooke.

Tawiah

Critically acclaimed with her own dynamic brand of ’twisted soul’ - expect smooth vocals and gutsy lyrics. Currently promoting Jodi's Bedroom (2008), her introductory six-track EP featuring "Watch Out". Tawiah is currently touring with Mark Ronson.

Ayanna Witter-Johnson

A unique, talented young composer, songwriter, vocalist, cellist and pianist who has developed musically from a diverse background of mixed cultures. Currently an Emerging Artist in Residence at the Southbank Centre, she widely performs her own material and has worked with other artists including, Soul II Soul, Jason Yarde, Nitin Sawhney and Courtney Pine.

Baby Sol

A singer/songwriter with captivating vocals fusing jazz and soul over acoustic songs as well as full productions which have delighted audiences. She has also worked with Groove Armada and UK rapper TY among many others.

JNay

JNay’s music delivers a fresh take on retro and new wave soul sounds wrapped up in electrifying live stage performances. His self-penned track "Soul Glo" won him a Mobo Award in 2003 for Best Unsigned Act. He has recently appeared on 'Britain's Next Top Model', which was filmed at the launch of his first CD and is currently working with the SEB Collective.

Jonathan Geyevu

A highly acclaimed pianist whose band Sojourner features some truly gifted young musicians. Jonathan's distinctly melodic, sensitive and spacious playing can also be heard on the work of other artists as this talented young player becomes more and more in demand.

BSIX 6th Form College

Forming an integral part of the Vortex Outdoors is a performance by students from the BSIX college in Hackney who have participated in music workshops arranged by BrazenBunch.

Including last years graduates Fololo, Rute and Yaneise, and featuring some of the new students, this could prove to be a launch pad for UK performers of the future.

DJ Misbehaviour

Divides her time between New York, Antigua and London and has spun for Prince, Taylor McFerrin, Meshell Ndegeocello and the Back II Life reunion for Soul II Soul. She is also one of the main DJ's for the world famous roller-skating disco in Central Park.

+ more to be announced

Food will be available from...

Mama Vic's African and Caribbean (Jerk Chicken, Moi-Moi, Egusi Soup and fresh juices)

Ochre Works (situated below The Vortex on Gillett Square) will be open for brunch, dinner and everything in between – with fresh bread baked from the Spence bakery and a selection of fairly traded coffees.

Free bottle of wine offer at Ochre Works

On 28th September Ochre Works Bistro and Bar will not only be offering a prime location from which to enjoy Vortex Outdoors but also a free bottle of wine exclusively to Evening Standard Eros card holders when purchasing a two-course meal for two. (NB: starter + main or main + pudding).

Terms and conditions

No booking is necessary, but to guarantee a table phone 0207 923 9532

The offer is open to anyone who has a valid Eros card with them – this must be shown when ordering.

One free bottle of wine for every two people who buy a two-course meal each. This has to be starter + main or main + pudding (not two starters.)

NB. Only one of the two people need to have an Eros card ie If there are four people and only one person has an Eros card they will only get one bottle of wine between them, if two people have an Eros card they will get two bottles of wine with their two courses etc

Offer valid on all orders made before 10pm on Sunday 28th September

NB: Gillett Square is an alcohol free zone

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