We are enormously proud of our strong links to the community of London jazz musicians. They so often come to help us out when necessary. This week is a great example. Due to circumstances, we have found a replacement gig for tonight at just three days notice!
And with a top quality band. For example, guitarist Tom Ollendorff’s last two shows with Aaron Parks were sell outs. That just demonstrates how he is himself able to create a popularity to go with his his technical skills. The rest of the band is equally top notch. Such as Downbeat poll-nominated Conor Chaplin on bass and Riley Stone-Lonergan on tenor. It’ll be exciting to see how this group develops as we share a night with friends. Come along on Friday to support them (and the club). They will really appreciate it.
We’d like to extend our thanks to all the other musicians who make the club and its atmosphere what it is. But especially these four guys on Friday. Musicians are aware of the importance to the community of a venue such as the Vortex, which is why we’ve been able to work with them to sort this out.
The rest of the weekend ends August and summer with a bang. Rebecka Edlund and Immy Churchill with anonther of their “Downstairs Living Room” gigs immediately following and then, on Saturday, the feted altoist Tom Smith. Nick Costley-White leading our jam session on Sunday.
The rest of the week is, as ever, busy but rewarding for listenters. There’s a late As we enter September, there are a couple of nights of contemporary mainstream jazz of the highest order, We have the young Turks with the elder statesmen, for example Andrea Rinciari with Alex Garnett. As well as an elder statesman leading the young: Bassist Simon Woolf brings in Donovan Haffner (before he goes off for studies in New York) and Mike Soper. The week ends with a bang. There’s the LVDF EP launch on 29, featuring Alex Hitchcock and Maria Chiara Argiró (on keyboards), followed on Saturday 30 by the phenomenal tenor player Jean Toussaint,
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22 Ollendorff/Stone-Lonergan/Chaplin/Giles
CHANGE OF PROGRAMME. Due to unavoidable circumstances, we have been forced to change our programme tonight. But are lucky to have this quartet jointly led by guitarist Tom Ollendorff and saxophonist Riley-Stone Lonergan. New arrangements drawn from the modern jazz tradition, with close interplay and fresh perspectives.
22 (Downstairs late) Downstairs Living Room – Rebecka Edlund and Immy Churchill present 11.02077
This month’s Downstairs Living Room, compèred by two of our dynamic young singers, hosts ‘11.02077’, a project by the London-based, American songwriter and musician Nina Erickson. Late night transport to and from The Vortex is easy, with many late buses and all night trains from Dalston Junction.
23 Tom Smith
Altoist Tom Smith is recognised for his innovative projects and dynamic compositions. And he has a stellar band to help, including ECM recording artist Misha Mullov-Abbado on double bass and Tom Cawley on piano.
24 Vortex Jam Session with Nick Costley-White
This week’s Sunday jam session – possibly the best in London – features guitarist Nick Costley-White, one of the most imaginative today, both hosting and also doing the first set with his band. The best value gig at just £6 for the public, or free for musicians.
27 Andrea Rinciari presents Soho Sessions
With a style rooted in the bebop and straightahead lineage, guitarist has “a unique and personal voice” (Camden New Journal) and brings a great band including Alex Garnett on saxophone.
28 Simon Woolf’s New Masters Quintet
Bassist Simon Woolf is a father firgute of the London scene. Here he brings some of the best younger musicians whom he has met over the past few years, including saxophonist Donovan Haffner and trumpeter Mike Soper.
29 LVDF – EP Release Show
Including some of our most forward-looking musicians from UK, Italy and New Zealand, and described as “virtuoso” by The Guardian, and all leaders in their own right, such as Alex Hitchcock and Maria Chiara Argiró.
29 (Downstairs late) Vortex Lates: Bone Folder + Welkin
Our late night weekend gigs extend the envelope of what might be considered “jazz”, being extended to include Cambridge-based heavy improv trio Welkin, with members Dominic Lash and NO Moore on guitars and Dave Fowler on drums and the sustained textural sounds of Bone Folder.
30 Jean Toussaint JT5
One of the true greats of the tenor sax and alumnus of Art Blakey’ Jazz Messengers and JazzFM Musician of the Year, each note of this band brings the history of the music well and truly into 2025 in a way that is imaginative but accessible.