Michael League of Snarky Puppy calls jazz musicians “human algorithms”. While there is so much music being uploaded to the streaming services every day, a jazz club like the Vortex is an important stepping stone to help the live jazz scene to grow, survive and thrive. This is still a scene where AI can’t take over. So you should all come and see and hear music created in the moment by the musicians’ collaborations.
As well as the dynamic young bands performing this week, the third annual Whirlpool series continues this week with a gig constructed by bassist Oli FitzGerald (29). Each year, a handpicked cohort of musicians picked from the graduates of the three main conservatoires are each month curating gigs at the club. They are premiering new music and a great chance to hear many of our new generation, who are just getting known. Other dynamic young musicians in this week include EMRYS (28), George Johnson (28) and guitarist Karim Saber (29), launching his widely anticipated new album.
But the gigs at the Vortex always balance the young Turks with the pathbreaking “elder statesmen”. For example, this week we have drummer Spike Wells with the QOW Trio (30) and trumpeter Henry Lowther’s Still Waters including Dave Green (31), all with careers going back to the Sixties.
23 Emma Rawicz Quartet (2 shows)
Emma is one of the most dynamic young saxophonists in Europe today, who honed a lot of her early experience at the Vortex. “A thrilling, multi-coloured, chromium-plated rollercoaster of a ride.” (Eddie Myer, Jazzwise)
24 Corrie Dick Impossible Things
Celebrating 10 years since the original release, drummer Corrie Dick, at the heart of so many of the best young bands around, reunites this lineup, a supergroup including Alice Zawadzki, Laura Jurd and Calum Gourlay.
24 (Afternoon) Preview Screening: Nathaniel Dye: Against The Odds
An invitation only screening of this film by Cath Longbottom who did a glorious film about Howard Riley.
24 (Evening) Jam Session with Rick Simpson
Our jam session is possibly the best in London. This week it is led by the irrepressible pianist Rick Simpson
26 Jeff Williams Featuring Charlie Rees: An Early Salute to John Coltrane 100
Drummer Jeff Williams makes a special return to London, where he made his home for over a dozen years. An alumnus of bands of some of the true greats, such as Dave Liebman, Stan Getz and Paul Bley. Charlie Rees is a young saxophonist whom Jeff has taken under his wing.
27 Midweek Downstairs Jam
Welcoming and relaxed, come for a drink, enjoy the music, or bring your horn or instrument to join in during the second set.
28 (Downstairs early) EMRYS
Ahead of a tour of walking and performing nightly in the Lake District inspired by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, this young dynamic trio will warm up at the Vortex, playing their own music.
28 (Upstairs) George Johnson Quartet
Music composed by the leader, the exciting up and coming saxophonist George Johnson, balancing a strong influence of the dynamic New York Blue Note scene with London’s dynamic scene.
29 (Downstairs early) Whirlpool: Oli Fitzgerald
Our Whirlpool series brings together a group of new graduate musicians. It continues with a gig of original music by the bassist member of the cohort. A series described in UK Jazz News as “nothing short of astonishing”.
29 (Upstairs) Karim Saber – “Sundance” Album Launch
Following on from his debut album, guitarist Karim Saber blends the dynamism of London with experience at Berklee in the USA. “One of the rising stars of UK jazz’ (the Jazz Mann)
31 QOW Trio
Balancing three generations of musicians from Eddie Myer on bass, the relatively youthful Riley Stone-Lonergan on saxophone and ever youthful drummer Spike Wells, now a celebrating his 65th year as a professional drummer. “A simply phenomenal live band.” (Jazzwise)
31 Henry Lowther’s Still Waters
Trumpeter Henry Lowther and bassist Dave Green have been playing together for over 40 years. The band includes drummer Paul Clarvis, pianist Barry Green and saxophonist Pete Hurt. “Still Waters are like listening to a chilled conversation between the best of friends.” (Jazzwise)