“Christmas is coming.” So have you thought about Vortex merch? We have a great selection for you. T shirts, mugs and tote bags. All great value and every penny helps the club. https://www.vortexjazz.co.uk/2019/11/29/vortex-merchandise/
Or, of course, if you want to help on a more ongoing basis, do become a member. After all, we are a “club”. You get discounts, reserved seating and more. https://www.vortexjazz.co.uk/vortex-membership/
We are sorry if you can’t come to the “return” of Shabaka to the Vortex, a venue where he actually first played in 2007, because it’s sold out. But it is a week where we welcome back another of our truly great saxophonists, Paul Dunmall (4), with incredible New York trombonist Steve Swell. Paul nowadays visits London from Birmingham only rarely, and then almost solely to play at the Vortex.
We have a particularly intriguing range of younger musicians making their mark such as vocalist Rebecka Edlund (7), Lukas Derungs from Germany (6), immediately preceded downstairs by the first of our series with the new cohort of Whirlpool, each of the seven musicians personally chosen by the heads of the London jazz courses. And it’ll be particularly exciting to welcome a youth big band from Freiburg in Germany, in a double bill with London Jazz Orchestra (2).
31 October Shabaka Hutchings & Pat Thomas
SOLD OUT An exciting new pairing play from their latest duo album recorded at the Vortex.
1 November (Downstairs afternoon) Junior Jazz Workshop with Nick Costley-White
An afternoon aimed at keen and advancing jazz students aged 12-19, with free admission. Run by guitarist and educator Nick Costley-White, with Tom Farmer and Josh Morrison. Open to all with at least an intermediate ability.
1 November Larry Bartley/Bruno Heinen/Winston Clifford
Larry Bartley brings his supergroup to the club, in an all-too-rare visit as leader. Originals by all band members, it’s a trio that can move from ska through rock steady to straight ahead jazz.
2 (Afternoon) The London Jazz Orchestra with Jazzhaus Jugendochester and Josephine Davis
The LJO Is delighted to welcome, for its first visit to the UK this brilliant youth big band from Freiburg, Germany, directed by Will Bartlett with guest soloist Josephine Davies. Together with a set from LJO, this will be an afternoon to remember.
2 (Evening) Vortex Jam Session with Nick Costley-White
Nick Costley-White returns to lead what is probably the best jam session in London. A top band for the first set and then the chance for instrumentalists to join in. Free for members!
3 Pierrot – London Show
Two significant pieces from the early 20th century. Arnold Schönberg’s Pierrot Lunaire and Hanns Eisler’s Fourteen Ways to Describe the Rain show how close this music is to contemporary jazz. Presented by Commission for Old and New Art and Riot Ensemble, with musicians also drawn from Halle Orchestra.
4 Paul Dunmall Invites Steve Swell
Tenor sax icon Dunmall has reconvened a quartet including former Braxton, Cecil Taylor and Tim Berne collaborator Swell. Trombonist – and poet – Swell has been included in the Downbeat Critics Poll every year since 2010!
5 Anemone Quartet
Pianist/vocalist Laura Cole, bassist Olie Brice, drummer Johnny Hunter and saxophonist Faye MacCalman come together with compositions from each musician. Bay also drawing on photographs, poetry and spoken word, such a gig will lead the audience on an extraordinary aural adventure!
6 (Downstairs early) Whirlpool 3 – Opening Concert
The first gig by our new Whirlpool cohort for 25/26. A chance to hear some of the best young musicians of the future in the first of a monthly series.
6 Lukas Derungs Quintet
Pianist Derungs returns with a band including German and London-based musicians (Karim Saber and Immy Churchill). “An emerging artist with plenty to say, a supremely accomplished pianist.” (The Jazz Mann)
7 (Downstairs early) Rebecka Edlund & Tom Step’s Van-Ventures
Two of the most intriguing musicians bring us the best anecdotes and songs written while living in a van, Vanyah, for the past six months.
8 (Downstairs afternoon) Junior Jazz Workshop with Nick Costley-White
An afternoon aimed at keen and advancing jazz students aged 12-19, with free admission. Run by guitarist and educator Nick Costley-White, with Tom Farmer and Josh Morrison. Open to all with at least an intermediate ability.
9 Calum Gourlay Big Band
Developed during a monthly residency at the club, it has now evolved with new compositions over the past year by bassist Calum himself.