13 Feb
Is live music a luxury or necessity? From the way that it sometimes gets dismissed nowadays, such as being starved of government resources, one might think that it’s something to be left to the elites! Of course, that’s not the case. We ourselves have a great diversity. Honest top quality music which appeals right across society, and needs support. So support us. Through coming to gigs, especially as we keep prices reasonable in contrast, say, to places like Ronnie Scott’s. If you want to do more to help, you can become a volunteer or member. And what is more, coming to a venue like the Vortex is very welcoming even for those who aren’t “experts”. Musicians respond accordingly and audiences react.
20 Feb
Perhaps the most famous jazz raconteur was Ronnie Scott, founder of the club. Jazz musicians show that they can laugh at themselves. “What’s the difference between a pizza and a jazz musician? A pizza can feed a family of four!” It has a resonance in that it’s difficult for musicians to survive on gig income alone especially when the fee has to split with quite a large group. And grants to cover any shortfalls are harder and harder to get.
But a jazz gig, for the musicians, is more than the money. Jazz musicians often have a story to tell. Sometimes intimate, sometime playful. Jazz musicians perform to communicate with their audiences, so the audiences are almost certainly guaranteed a fascinating experience. And we keep our prices reasonable, so that we really love to see you at the club, voted by All About Jazz website as number seven worldwide. But we need audiences! They are the best sponsors.
27 Feb
One of the exciting elements of jazz is its ability to mix musical influences in ways unique to each musician. Such is the case this week (4), when we have a great band led by drummer Florian Arbenz, with New York monster saxophonist Greg Osby. That he’s from Switzerland is itself not relevant. It’s the openness as he creates an intriguing mix. And this reflects a curiosity which surely sets an example to us all. Similarly, the duo of Alina Bzezhinska, a harpist originally from Ukraine, and British saxophonist Tony Kofi works because they are looking for cross-inspirational elements – and succeeding. (7)
Another thrilling musician, who will be showing us New York at its finest, will be trumpeter Adam O’Farrill with Elephant tonight (27). It will be fascinating to compare and contrast with two other trumpeters playing at the club: Henry Spencer tomorrow (28) and Nick Malcolm who’s coming up from Bristol (4).
Jazz is also exceedingly good at looking to its past to create a sound for today without being excessively reverential. This will be demonstrated by Tom Ollendorff and Brandon Allen who take three great guitarists of recent years as inspiration (6).
6 March
Spring has sprung. That should be enough to give us additional buoyancy. Daffodils, camellias, jasmine, magnolias. Wonderful! And it is reflected in 12 gigs this week. Something for everyone.
But with tensions worldwide having risen so much over recent days, with the American-Israeli attack on Iran and ramifications for the Middle East and beyond, music has an important role in keeping us sane and removing ourselves from the direct news overload. We need to focus and rethink.
Our concert for International Women’s Day on Sunday has an additional resonance. We had already planned to have a concert to focus on the role of women in the resistance to the autocratic regime of the Ayatollahs. With the terrible suffering of the population from the battles waged all around them, it has an added strong meaning.
13 March
“Where words fail, music speaks.” This quote by Hans Christian Andersen is as relevant as ever. In the uncertain times in which we live, to hear music, and especially live, is not just an escape or indulgence but a chance to rebuild oneself and strengthen resolve. And the gigs that we put on here are certainly the type to suck you in and inspire energy, because the musicians all have passion and commitment themselves which they communicate.
20 March
The next run of concerts at the Vortex Jazz Club highlights the club’s unique mix of international stars, emerging artists and community energy. Grammy-winning pianist Kris Davis returns with her Massive Threads Trio, blending jazz with Korean musical traditions. The Eavesdropping Festival explores courage and creativity, followed by bassist Gary Crosby leading an inspiring quintet inspired by Miles Davis Second Great Quintet. Highlights also include album launches from Emile Hinton, a band led by BBC Young Jazz Award winner Deschanel Gordon, and two special sets from saxophonist Jean Toussaint. Jam sessions and new-talent showcases complete a vibrant celebration of contemporary jazz.
27 March
Liam Noble recently wrote, in UK Jazz News, “For those of us still interested in tone, style, language and character AI rings like a cardboard bell.” Which is why coming to a real gig will always be such a thrill and should not be forgotten about, as we are bombarded with ideas put forward by the Big 7 tech companies. There’s nothing to beat it. But do bear in mind musicians also have to travel and with the economic and political developments at present this isn’t getting cheaper especially if you add that the additional travel costs and potential disruptions. Especially as musicians really respond to a live audience.
We’re a not for profit venue, ploughing back all we earn into the jazz scene. So it’s essential for both our own self esteem as listeners and musicians’ survival that you continue to come to gigs. And with 17 gigs this week we’re doing you’ll find something that attracts.
3 April
The clocks have moved and the evenings seem longer. But this doesn’t mean that we slow down at the Vortex. With 15 gigs this week, there’s always something worth coming to, ranging from our three singers’ gigs, all performed with intimacy and imagination, to steel pans of Leon Foster-Thomas. And we pride ourselves on keeping prices reasonable, with extra reductions for students and members, in part due to our doughty team of volunteers, whom we can never thank enough!
10 April
The original 18th century Enlightenment challenged tradition and reshaping society in a positive manner. Something similar could be happening in jazz today, as musicians, like Enlightenment thinkers, are encouraged to have no preconceptions and be ready to develop thought-provoking new ideas through improvisation, experimentation and individual expression.
We see that throughout our programme at the Vortex, this week with such a diversity in our 15 gigs. Including late night reggae, two jam sessions, an investigation of the music of Cole Porter, and more.
17 April
Next week our gigs overlap with the main jazz trade fair in Bremen, Jazzahead. So it’s always interesting to assess where the economics and more of the jazz scene currently is. There are perhaps more recordings than ever, as we so often see at the Vortex when the musicians celebrate their album launches. But it’s expensive to record an album, yet the purchase price of the CD is similar to what it was 30 years ago, when costs of recording were much lower. So do support musicians and buy their albums!
24 April
A new report commissioned by the Culture Media and Sport Committee of the House Of Commons is a fan-led review of live and electronic music. It asserts that “we should embrace live music not just for money-making but as a public good”. That’s certainly a major rationale for our significant programme at the Vortex. We work hard, through our strong awareness of the quality in all styles of jazz, to be part of a community and to make the music thought-provoking and non-intimidatory! Especially by welcoming musicians and having a marvellous group of volunteers. We encourage all ages to attend and perform.