Two leading lights of the UK contemporary jazz scene, well known as members of the award winning group Empirical, come together for this explosive duo show. Nathaniel Facey (alto saxophone) and Shaney Forbes (drums) will explore the material from John Coltrane’s classic record Interstellar Space.
A weekly session on Sunday evenings, the jams will be hosted by some of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson, guitarist Nick Costley-White, trumpeter Sean Gibbs and tenor saxophonists Harben Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan (+ sometimes a few guest leaders) each one hosting one session on rotation.
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.
Doors 7:45 PM, Music 8:30 PM – 2 set(s) of music About Queer Jazz exists to platform, nurture and celebrate the emerging queer jazz scene. Programmed by Tina Edwards…
London guitarist and composer Jakub Klimiuk brings his quintet to present music from the critically acclaimed album ‘(un)balanced’, described by The Guardian as “a rare mix of New York edginess and Scandinavian avant-jazz impressionism”, alongside completely new material.
ReWired is the new acoustic trio project from acclaimed composer, arranger and pianist, Janette Mason.
Album launch for “All It Was”, the new album by the Olie Brice Quartet. The Olie Brice Quartet – featuring Rachel Musson, Alexander Hawkins and Will Glaser – play Brice’s compositions
Reimagining jazz repertoire for the 21st century.
Described by the Guardian as “eclectic, eccentric and unobtrusively erudite”, Bruno Heinen joins forces with acclaimed ECM recording artist Tom Challenger to play arrangements of Abdullah Ibrahim, Dorothy Ashby and Leonard Bernstein alongside originals from the co-leaders with fiery young rhythm section of Kobe Heath and Will Cleasby.
This month featuring: Robin Foster (objects), Matthew Grigg (guitar/amplifier) & Tom Ward (saxophone/clarinet/flute) + John Butcher (saxophones), Phil Durrant (mandolin), Mark Wastell (perc) + Charlotte Keeffe (trumpet), N.O. Moore (guitar) & Peter Cusack (guitar, electronics)
A weekly session on Sunday evenings, the jams will be hosted by some of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson, guitarist Nick Costley-White, trumpeter Sean Gibbs and tenor saxophonists Harben Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan (+ sometimes a few guest leaders) each one hosting one session on rotation.
An evening of beautiful Eastern European and Gypsy Folk with some Klezmer. The first of a series of live, unplugged & audio inclusive gigs that we’ll be hosting throughout the year in association with Sownd Affects.
Loz Speyer’s Inner Space takes on the music of Outer Space, as composed by the mighty intergalactic bandleader Sun Ra – and arranged from the original piano scores for a new collaboration with two very special guests, Jason Yarde and Marcina Arnold.
Doors 6:45 PM, Music 7:30 PM – 1 set(s) of music Line-up: Ayman Sinada – Drums Grifton Forbes-Amos – Trumpet Kavi Maraj – Bass Guitar Laurie Milton – Piano…
A brand new collaboration between Laura Jurd, James Allsopp and Dave Storey featuring Norwegian special guest Magne Thormodsæter on double bass.
Guitarist and composer Karim Saber performs music from his upcoming sophomore album alongside his longstanding band of collaborators.
Niklas Lukassen (GER) unites protagonists of the scenes of Amsterdam, London, Paris and Berlin with Ben Van Gelder (NL), Ivo Neame (UK) and Francesco Ciniglio (IT) in his quartet.
Niklas Lukassen (GER) unites protagonists of the scenes of Amsterdam, London, Paris and Berlin with Ben Van Gelder (NL), Ivo Neame (UK) and Francesco Ciniglio (IT) in his quartet.
A weekly session on Sunday evenings, the jams will be hosted by some of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson, guitarist Nick Costley-White, trumpeter Sean Gibbs and tenor saxophonists Harben Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan (+ sometimes a few guest leaders) each one hosting one session on rotation.
We are delighted to celebrate the release of a new Ogun production:
Larry Stabbins/Keith Tippett/Louis Moholo-Moholo – Live in Foggia
Launching their new album ‘It’s about time’ tonight, this electric/acoustic guitar duo play distinctive arrangements of Stevie Wonder, Thelonious Monk & Brazilian classics augmented by Paul Clarvis on drums/percussion.
Over his career, saxophonist and composer Vaughan Hawthorne-Nelson has crafted an unmistakable sound that is deeply communicative. Tonight he returns to the Vortex for a rare concert from one of most compelling bands on the scene.
“Elchin Shirinov has developed a sound and approach all his own. His writing and piano playing echo another time, yet resonate with a striking modernity. He truly draws a unique sound from the piano, unlocking a full palette of sonic color. This is music worth exploring deeply.” – Larry Grenadier
Noah Stoneman returns to the Vortex with his UK trio to premier brand new music written over the last year in New York. Suprising, dynamic and direct compositions and improvising from these long-time collaborators.
A weekly session on Sunday evenings, the jams will be hosted by some of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson, guitarist Nick Costley-White, trumpeter Sean Gibbs and tenor saxophonists Harben Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan (+ sometimes a few guest leaders) each one hosting one session on rotation.
The trio of John Butcher, Mark Wastell, and Luigi Marino first met in 2022 at the chapel of St. Margaret’s House in Bethnal Green, London. Wastell and Marino had begun collaborating in 2018—initially within Mark’s large ensemble The Seen, and later as a parallel duo—focusing on the resonances of metal instruments and a shared sense of time.
Ashley Bonfante brings his fun new project to the Vortex for the first time. This exciting group, full of wonderfully creative improvisers at the forefront of the London scene, will be exploring the music of the great Ornette Coleman with some Booker Little, Eric Dolphy, and original compositions thrown in for good measure.
Joe Herbert is a London-based jazz guitarist whose music channels raw spirit, compositional clarity, and unfiltered energy into a sound that’s both deeply personal and explosively alive. In a trio that listens as intently as it plays, Joe finds space to challenge expectations and stretch the language of modern jazz into something raw, honest, and alive.
As soon as Korhan Futacı presses his lips to the saxophone’s mouthpiece, the ritual begins. During his London debut at Vortex as a new resident, the prominent figure of Turkey’s alternative music scene will guide us from the chaos of Istanbul to an uncharted realm. A place filled with vitality but also darkness; fusing traditional Turkish music with free improvisations.
The most intimate version of Billy Marrows’ acclaimed 12-piece chamber-jazz ensemble, the Grande Família Quartet features an unusual line-up of some of London’s finest young jazz musicians.
Two leading lights of the UK contemporary jazz scene, well known as members of the award winning group Empirical, come together for this explosive duo show. Nathaniel Facey (alto saxophone) and Shaney Forbes (drums) will explore the material from John Coltrane’s classic record Interstellar Space.
Our monthly late night series brings together some of the most prominent voices in contemporary songwriting, hosted by Matthew Herd. This month we’re hugely excited to welcome an acoustic set from The Howl & The Hum.
Lekan Babalola Known for his interpretation of ancient music through African Diaspora influences, Lekan Babalola and The Sacred Funk Quartet bring you an evening of “mesmerizing fusion, skillfully blending cosmopolitan nuances with mystical subtlety.”
Known for ‘Nudging boundaries as she goes’ and ‘raw and striking vocals’ Italian singer and storyteller Germana Stella La Sorsa’s innovative style has found the perfect partner in internationally renowned British guitarist Tom Ollendorff, starting a collaboration envisioned as a celebration of the beauty of simplicity.
Quicksilver improvisation from a quartet of dynamic voices from across the UK creative music spectrum
UFO (Unidentified Folk Outfit), led by Tom Ridout on the electric recorder, is a Rock/Folk power trio that reinvents traditional English folk music. The band combines innovative arrangements with a focus on improvisation, creating a unique and dynamic sound. Expect to hear well-known melodies, but with intriguing and unexpected twists.
Gloria Yehilevsky’s G M?R is a trio+ whose identity expands beyond its London-based core of Yehilevsky on vibraphone/percussion, Aram Bahmaie on basses, Jason Yarde on saxophone and Sam Norris on alto sax/flute.
A weekly session on Sunday evenings, the jams will be hosted by some of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson, guitarist Nick Costley-White, trumpeter Sean Gibbs and tenor saxophonists Harben Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan (+ sometimes a few guest leaders) each one hosting one session on rotation.
To top off it’s 33rd season at the Vortex, the London Jazz Orchestra celebrates the 75th birthday of phenomenal pianist and composer Pete Saberton, whose unique writing and playing style helped define the sound of the band.
“Vortex Lates” is a new series of events taking place in our downstairs bar from 10-1am every Friday or Saturday. A new late-night jazz hang for Dalston where you can grab a drink and listen to some of the best improvised musicians from around the city.
Annie Whitehead 4tet & The Orchestra That Fell to Earth.
A very special double-header to celebrate the 70th birthday of world renowned trombonist Annie Whitehead.
Whispers of Rain is a bold collaboration between Alina Bzhezhinska and Tulshi, reimagining the harp through the lens of electronics and live sound design. For this special album launch, Alina is joined by the legendary Tony Kofi, whose powerful saxophone voice brings new colours to their soundscape & special guest Hyelim Kim.
High energy free improvisation from a quartet made up of four leading names from the UK and European jazz and improvised music scene.
Rosie Turton, Isobella Burnham, Momoko Gill, Jan Halen and Bridget Walsh create and co-regulate in real time, exploring everything from wildfires to revolution, misogyny to mutual-aid, lullabies to Land Back. Special guest performance from Rosie Frater-Taylor.
Daniel Kemshell and Olly Chalk first met in Birmingham over ten years ago. Since then their friendship and musicianship has blossomed through frequent collaboration.
Into his 5th decade of playing regular gigs at the Vortex, Virtuoso Tuba player and inventor of the Orenophone, Oren Marshall brings together two of his favourite (and multiple award-winning) London musicians – saxophonist/composer Josephine Davies and drummer/composer Jay Davis.
Maydew/Wickham/Martin-Jones is a jazz trio that ventures into the rich worlds of European folk and classical music, reimagining them through the art of improvisation.
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.
A weekly session on Sunday evenings, the jams will be hosted by some of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson, guitarist Nick Costley-White, trumpeter Sean Gibbs and tenor saxophonists Harben Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan (+ sometimes a few guest leaders) each one hosting one session on rotation.
Join us for an evocative evening of traditional and cross-cultural melodies with Suna Alan, a Kurdish Alevi singer whose voice carries the spirit of her ancestral heritage and the cosmopolitan soul of her upbringing.
Singer songwriter and vocalist Immy Churchill welcomes you to the Downstairs Living Room as she releases her debut single “Give Me Time To Breathe”. This intimate solo gig will be a sharing of her original songs, both old and new, in celebration of her long-awaited release as a solo artist.
Lockheart/Williams/Davis is a new trio that shifts moment to moment, gracefully and spontaneously stitching together original compositions along with a few well-chosen known songs.
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, connected by a keen interest in delving deeper into individual expression and exploring collaborative forms of real-time music-making.
The final concert of this year’s series. A celebration of new music by Ashley Bonfante, Julian Woods, Jem Whyte, Tom O’Brien, Jonah Evans and special guests and friends. It’ll be quite a celebration!
Steven Nichols is a London-based trumpeter and composer/arranger. After graduating from the Royal Academy of Music in 2024, he signed with Ubuntu Music to release his debut album ’From Dust’. Tonight his quintet will be performing his ‘From Dust’ project live for the first time since 2022, joined by the same musicians as featured on the album.
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.
The Austrian Cultural Forum London is delighted to invite you to this year’s edition of the concert series JazzExchange which aims to spotlight cutting edge Austrian groups and UK based ensembles curated by Guido Spannocchi
A weekly session on Sunday evenings, the jams will be hosted by some of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson, guitarist Nick Costley-White, trumpeter Sean Gibbs and tenor saxophonists Harben Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan (+ sometimes a few guest leaders) each one hosting one session on rotation.
Pianist and composer Zoe Rahman’s world class trio will be performing music from her latest album ‘Colour of Sound‘ alongside brand-new compositions.
‘Poncha’ is Nick Costley-White’s highly-anticipated third album; a deeply personal collection of seven original compositions named after the Portuguese drink ‘punch’. Using a heady brew of cultural influences, his music skilfully blends dance rhythms and playful melodies from Brazil and Cuba with the harmony and swing of American jazz.