The EFG London Jazz Festival has landed! 16 days of carefully curated gigs, all worth attending. Indeed when Shabaka Hutchings was asked for recommendations on the official promotional video for the Festival, replied “Anything at the Vortex”.
It reflects what the Guardian this week described as “the open mindedness and freedom that has been powering London’s globally famous jazz scene for over a decade”.
So we have a snapshot of the best that the club puts on over the whole year. Opening tonight with National Youth Jazz Orchestra celebrating 60 years, there are some exciting gigs by London musicians, such as a new project, with amazing musicians, by Rick Simpson (15), Nikki Yeoh’s Infinitum (22) or Crow Culture with guitarists James Kitchman and Tara Cunningham (19). And by visiting musicians, such as two expatriates based in Amsterdam (Alice Leggett (16) and Sam Newbould (19)), a special gig from Poland (trio of Sunny Kim/Joanna Duda/Helen Svoboda) (16). Some of our regular nights/bands who play regularly at the Vortex, such as London Jazz Orchestra (15), Mopomoso (16) and Queer Jazz (19), are also featured.
For the next 10 days the London Jazz Festival coincides with days 318-328 of our own year-round festival. Our full programme is on https://www.vortexjazz.co.uk/series/efg-london-jazz-festival-2025/
So we look forward to seeing you
14 (Downstairs early) Dalston Song Club – Mari Green
Matthew Herd hosts our monthly session celebrating contemporary songwriting. Mari Green, from Glasgow, brings the inspiration of Nick Drake and John Martyn in a very personal, emotional and gripping approach.
14 (2 shows) EFG London Jazz Festival – NYJO featuring Axel Kayner-Lindstrom
We are excited that the 10 day period, when the Vortex’s own “year round festival” coincides with the EFG London Jazz Festival, opens with the best of our youth big bands, in a meeting with the musical director of Levitation Orchestra.
15 (Afternoon) London Jazz Orchestra – Festival Special
To celebrate their 35th anniversary, the LJO brings music by both current members, including Calum Gourlay and director Scott Stroman, along with former members such as Kenny Wheeler and Stan Sulzmann.
15 Rick Simpson’s “Future Myth”
Proud to host the bold new project from pianist Simpson, following on from his recent band re-working the music of Radiohead. It’s a thrilling 10 piece all-star band, including Tom Challenger, Nathaniel Facey and Charlotte Keeffe. We could be witnessing history in the making.
16 (Afternoon) Mopomoso Live
If you’re not used to this approach, a great chance to dip your toe in the water of free improvised music in chamber form. Today it’s a triple bill including Rachel Musson, Olie Brice and the 10 string microtonal guitar of Pascal Marzan.
16 (Evening) Sunny Kim/Joanna Duda/Helen Svoboda – The Great Reset
“These are all musicians who will be bringing something interesting and individual, and it’s going to be interesting to see their personalities interact. Joanna Duda always seeks new forms of an expression and is open for stylistic innovations and novelties. Helen Svoboda has a brilliant capacity to be both leader and sidewoman.” (Krzystof Komorek, Polish journalist)
17 Alex Leggett Quintet
Alice Leggett has just been spending a few years in Amsterdam. Now settled there, we welcome her back with some of her London friends including James Copus and Rick Simpson.
18 Celebrating Songwriters in Jazz featuring Michelle Willis & Fini Bearman + Support from Talkline
A very special night curated by Fini Bearman, one of the most exciting singers in London, celebrating songwriters working in the spaces between jazz, sould and pop-folk music. “Exceptional, unforgettable and profoundly beautiful.” (Jazzwise)
19 (Downstairs early) Crow Culture
Crossing the generations, this trio includes two guitarists, James Kitchman and Tara Cunningham, mediated by the special drumming of Will Glaser. An exciting amalgam of punk, jazz, country and more
19 Queer Jazz: B.H.A.M.with Abi Asisa
Our monthly platform to nurture and celebrate the emerging queer jazz scene. Tonight B.H.A.M. tells the story of forgotten freedom struggles. Abi Asisa is a young producer/cellist from Brighton, dissolving the musical barriers.
20 (Downstairs early) Costley-White/Barford/Ireland/Michel
A sensitive collaborative quartet led by guitarist Nick Costley-White, with award-winning saxophonist Tom Barford, bassist Ferg Ireland and drummer Marc Michel.
20 Sam Newbould Quintet
A fascinating project by this Amsterdam-based expat, based around his experiences with a pigeon nesting on his balcony! Gentle, heart-warming and enjoyable in equal measure. Played by a master saxophonist.
21 Gary Crosby’s Africa Space Programme
SOLD OUT
Inspired by the cosmic explorations of John Coltrane and Pharaoh Sanders.
22 Nikki Yeoh’s Infinitum
Always a pleasure to welcome this pianist who has been giving a special energy to the London scene across genres. With the amazing fraternal rhythm section of Mark and Mike Mondesir!
22 (Downstairs late) Hitchcock/Cohen/Heath-Ngugi/McCarthy
Alex Hitchcock splits his time between London and New York, making waves in each. Here he is joined by a high energy band including Rachael Cohen who will between them give us a wonderfully energetic late night.
23 Jam Session with Riley Stone-Lonergan
Possibly the best jam session in London is led by saxophonist Riley, who is also a genial host. Free for members and performing musicians.
7 November
Comedian and music lover Stewart Lee has described the Vortex as an “upstairs basement”. And it certainly brings together the welcoming intimacy of the traditional basement club with the allied creativity of the musicians.
This will be particularly shown during the EFG London Jazz Festival which starts for 10 days on 14 November. As UK Jazz News described the club recently: “the bedrock of our scene and courageously puts on jazz all year-round”.
Our schedule generally is indeed about setting up gigs where the musicians communicate with audiences in an imaginative manner! So, coming out to gigs are a vital part of this balance of venue, musician and audience. And we feel that our own programme of 16 gigs in the festival are as good as anywhere else. We look forward to seeing you soon.
But we mustn’t forget that there’s a full schedule of 9 gigs this coming week ahead of the Festival, which equally show the club’s range and quality. Such as superstar saxophonist James Allsopp’s album launch tonight (Friday), or Calum Gourlay’s big band (8). From the free improv scene, we welcome Canadian Mike Gennaro who will be playing with the world class Londoners, bassist John Edwards and clarinettist Alex Ward (12 early). While upstairs we also welcome guitarist Dave Preston’s newest project (12), and the joyful optimism of altoist Rachael Cohen (13). Both crowd pleasers but also of uncompromising quality.
7 (Downstairs early) Rebecka Edlund & Tom Step’s Van-Ventures
Two of the most intriguing young musicians bring us the best anecdotes and songs written while living in a van, Vanyah, for the past six months.
7 James Allsopp “Stars and Sand” Album Launch
Tenor saxophonist James Allsopp’s projects, and especially his album launches, are to be celebrated. Joyous and life-affirming, including the special trumpet sound of Chris Batchelor it has an intriguing two drum line up, reminiscent of his own band Fraud but also, more recently, Shabaka’s Sons of Kemet.
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, this band has now evolved with new compositions over the past year by bassist Calum himself.
10 Vortex Jam Session with Olly Chalk
Tonight’s jam session is led by pianist Olly Chalk, described in Jazzwise as “versatile and disciplined” – exactly what is required to lead what is arguably the best jam session in town. Free for musicians but also for members, as one of the many perks that they get.
11 (Downstairs) Midweek Downstairs Jam
Welcoming and relaxed, either for a drink, to enjoy the music, or to bring your instrument to join in the second set.
12 (Downstairs early) John Edwards/Mike Gennaro/Alex Ward
UK premiere for this trio of leading improvisers which itself dates back to 2023. John Edwards and Alex Ward are titans of bass and clarinet respectively, while Gennaro is a Canadian who has played with many acclaimed musicians including John Butcher, Mats Gustafsson and Veryan Weston.
12 (Upstairs) David Preston Mu featuring Tom Cawley, Robin Mullarkey and Jeremy Stacey
Guitarist Preston, described by The Guardian as “virtuosic”, brings together a very special band. His own experience includes working with Lianne La Havas and Goldie with two recently acclaimed albums including Sebastian Rochford and Kit Downes. Meanwhile he has a band with a vast array of experience, from Acoustic Ladyland through to Oasis and Jacob Collier.
13 Rachael Cohen
The charismatic Rachael always brings a tremendous band. Jazz with individuality, bite and joy. Tonight she leads a trio with just bass (Mirko Scarcia) and drums (Shane Forbes) which really gives a chance for us to appreciate her skill.
14 (Downstairs early) Dalston Song Club – Mari Green
Matthew Herd hosts our monthly session celebrating contemporary songwriting. Mari Green, from Glasgow, brings the inspiration of Nick Drake and John Martyn in a very personal, emotional and gripping approach.
14 EFG London Jazz Festival – NYJO featuring Axel Kayner-Lindstrom
We are excited that the 10 day period, when the Vortex’s own “year round festival” coincides with the EFG London Jazz Festival, opens with the best of our youth big bands, in a meeting with the musical director of Levitation Orchestra.
Our full programme is on https://www.vortexjazz.co.uk/series/efg-london-jazz-festival-2025/
15 (Afternoon) London Jazz Orchestra – Festival Special
To celebrate their 35th anniversary, the LJO brings music by both current members, including Calum Gourlay and director Scott Stroman, along with former members such as Kenny Wheeler and Stan Sulzmann.
16 Rick Simpson’s “Future Myth”
Proud to host the bold new project from pianist Simpson, following on from his recent band re-working the music of Radiohead. It’s a thrilling 10 piece all-star band, including Tom Challenger, Nathaniel Facey and Charlotte Keeffe. We could be witnessing history in the making.
17 (Afternoon) Mopomoso Live
If you’re not used to this approach, a great chance to dip your toe in the water of free improvised music in chamber form. Today it’s a triple bill including Rachel Musson, Olie Brice and the 10 string microtonal guitar of Pascal Marzan.
17 (Evening) Sunny Kim/Joanna Duda/Helen Svoboda – The Great Reset
“These are all musicians who will be bringing something interesting and individual, and it’s going to be interesting to see their personalities interact. Joanna Duda always seeks new forms of an expression and is open for stylistic innovations and novelties. Helen Svoboda has a brilliant capacity to be both leader and sidewoman.” (Krzystof Komorek, Polish journalist)