Midweek Downstairs Jam
Welcoming and relaxed, come for a drink, sit back and enjoy the music, or bring your horns, sticks and strings to join in during the second set.
Welcoming and relaxed, come for a drink, sit back and enjoy the music, or bring your horns, sticks and strings to join in during the second set.
Deschanel Gordon, the 2020 BBC Young Jazz Musician winner, showcases a remarkable blend of originality and versatility in his performances. His music embodies swing, groove and his Jamaican heritage. Gordon’s ability to navigate various styles and collaborate seamlessly makes him a standout figure in the contemporary UK jazz scene.
Trumpeter/composer Sean Gibbs leads a big band featuring some of the UK’s most prominent jazz musicians. They will be performing new material alongside music from their critically acclaimed album Confluence, which was nominated for Best Album at the 2023 Scottish Jazz Awards.
We welcome back the World Music Big Band lead by Ian Bumstead on Tenor sax and featuring Alison Rayner on bass and Mark Huggett on drums.
From the rising star Immy Churchill to internationally renowned musicians Percy Pursglove, Jim Hart, Ivo Neame and the legendary veteran Christy Doran; five illustrious British musicians contributing to drummer Florian Arbenz’s newest project.
Come down for a drink downstairs with performances from a rotating group of London-based singers and instrumentalists. Arrive early if you’d also like to join in for when the sets open to the floor – all welcome!
A weekly session on Sunday evenings, the jams will be hosted by four of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson, tenor saxophonists Helena Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan (+ a few guests), each one hosting one session on rotation.
Originally hailing from the Highlands, 24-year- old bass player Ali Watson has recently been making waves with his new quartet comprising an all-star band of Glasgow musicians – Matt Carmichael, Alan Benzie and Greg Irons.
Rebecka Edlund is a Swedish singer, lyricist & composer whose music is a concoction of jazz and Scandinavian folk music, herding calls, bird whistles and other peculiar sounds. Fellow explorers and esteemed improvisers Laura Jurd, Elliot Galvin and Caius Williams will join Rebecka as they venture into unknown terrains, taking the listener with them.
The Sun-Mi Hong Quintet is an emerging addition to the European scene of improvised and contemporary jazz music. The Quintet walks the line between elaborate composition and the great void that is improvised music.
Two singer songwriters join Matthew Herd to perform in the round as part of our intimate, late night series. This month features Immy Churchill and Arun Thavasothy.
Multi-award-winning jazz vocalist, lyricist and producer, Georgia Mancio, is a supreme storyteller, creating work of authenticity, adventure, beauty and bite. Whether interpreting her own luminous originals or standards, Georgia’s evoking performances connect deeply with her audiences and linger long in the mind.
A weekly session on Sunday evenings, the jams will be hosted by four of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson, tenor saxophonists Helena Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan (+ a few guests), each one hosting one session on rotation.
Welcoming and relaxed, come for a drink, sit back and enjoy the music, or bring your horns, sticks and strings to join in during the second set.
Taking their name, and not much else, from a late Victorian circus act involving the catching of turnips on a fork wedged between his front facing incisors, Noble and Simkins wind and swoop their way around melodies from classic standards to 80s pop.
Together Montague and Morcaldi blend electric guitar, classical guitar and sonic exploration within a broad repertoire from Joni Mitchell and The Beatles, Bill Frisell and Ralph Towner, to original compositions and improvisations.
Join longstanding Vortex favourites Dunajska Kapelye for a night of authentic Balkan and East European folk, Klezmer, Hotclub jazz and the odd standard.
Album launch for the whispery, noir-ish, avant-garde singer Paula Rae Gibson with avant Memorymoog synth innovator pianist and improviser Matthew Bourne will deliver a night of extreme intimacy and bravery, with special guest Alex Bonney.
A special performance with Mark’s new all-star 13 piece group.
A special performance with Mark’s new all-star 13 piece group.
A weekly session on Sunday evenings, the jams will be hosted by four of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson, tenor saxophonists Helena Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan (+ a few guests), each one hosting one session on rotation.
Join us to celebrate Jazz In Britain latest publication, ‘Talking the Groove – jazz words from the Morning Star’, a compendium of Chris Searle’s reviews and interviews from the last few years. Featuring a performance by a quartet of musicians, all of whom feature regularly throughout the book: John Edwards, Mark Sanders, Trevor Watts & Veryan Weston.
Welcoming and relaxed, come for a drink, sit back and enjoy the music, or bring your horns, sticks and strings to join in during the second set.
This month it’s the turn of vocalist Marta to lead our Whirlpool collective.
Vibraphonist Joel Ross comes to the Vortex with his longtime band “Good Vibes” featuring Jeremy Corren on piano, Kanoa Mendenhall on bass and Jeremy Dutton on drums, as part of a European tour celebrating the release of their latest album “nublues”.
Vibraphonist Joel Ross comes to the Vortex with his longtime band “Good Vibes” featuring Jeremy Corren on piano, Kanoa Mendenhall on bass and Jeremy Dutton on drums, as part of a European tour celebrating the release of their latest album “nublues”.
Pianist & composer Nikki Yeoh returns to the Vortex for an unmissable night with an incredible line-up featuring Olie Brice (bass), Paul Dunmall (saxophone) & Mark Sanders (drums).
Come down for a drink downstairs with performances from a rotating group of London-based singers and instrumentalists. Arrive early if you’d also like to join in for when the sets open to the floor – all welcome!
A weekly session on Sunday evenings, the jams will be hosted by four of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson, tenor saxophonists Helena Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan (+ a few guests), each one hosting one session on rotation.
At just 22 years old, Swiss London-based producer and accordion phenomenon Anatole Muster is already making waves in the internatonal music scene! With his fresh take on modern jazz, he’s garnered praise from the likes of Jamie Cullum and collaborated with heavyweights like Tennyson, Kiefer, and Louis Cole!
American saxophonist James Brandon Lewis returns to the Vortex for an exclusive UK date, introducing his new quartet record “Transfiguration” (Feb 16th on Intakt Records).
American saxophonist James Brandon Lewis returns to the Vortex for an exclusive UK date, introducing his new quartet record “Transfiguration” (Feb 16th on Intakt Records).
Bruno Heinen joins forces with ECM recording artist Tom Challenger to play arrangements of Horace Silver, Bobby Hutcherson and Dorothy Ashby alongside originals from the co-leaders with a fiery young rhythm section of Kobe Heath and Will Cleasby.
Acknowledged as one of the UK’s most versatile and creative cellists, trailblazing cellist and composer Shirley Smart’s sextet features a heady blend of North African and Middle Eastern grooves and jazz.
Ronan Guilfoyle who has been a major figure in Irish jazz for more than thirty years, presents Bemusement Arcade, his innovative new quartet devoted to expanding the rhythmic language of jazz via the tradition of blues, swing and standards.
Di-Cysgodion, led by Welsh bass player/composer Huw V Williams features Mike De Souza and Billy Marrows both on electric guitar, Jay Davis on drums and Huw V Williams completing the line up on electric bass.
Tickets and info coming soon!
A weekly session on Sunday evenings, the jams will be hosted by four of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson, tenor saxophonists Helena Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan (+ a few guests), each one hosting one session on rotation.
Come and hear the great improvisers of the future share their talent in a programme led by Moss Freed and Academy alumnus Chris Williams. This programme represents the culmination of workshops with this special group of Royal Academy of Music students.
Swing You Sinners is inspired by the collectivism heard in the early jazz recordings of Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet and Cab Calloway, and how these tunes can be brought kicking and screaming into the 21st century by a group of forward-thinking improvisers: Andrew Woodhead, George Crowley, Sam Wooster, Nick Jurd & Jeff Williams.
Come down for a drink downstairs with performances from a rotating group of London-based singers and instrumentalists. Arrive early if you’d also like to join in for when the sets open to the floor – all welcome!
A weekly session on Sunday evenings, the jams will be hosted by four of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson, tenor saxophonists Helena Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan (+ a few guests), each one hosting one session on rotation.
A London-based guitarist Jakub Klimiuk celebrates the release of his quintet’s latest album ’(un)balanced’. The band, joined by the outstanding saxophonist Mark Lockheart as a special guest, will perform Jakub’s original compositions that blends melodic themes with experimental sonic escapades, merging scripted forms and improvised sections.
Blistering sounds from this quintet of veterans of the London free improvisation scene. Their first performance since the release of ‘Do Disturb’ on Matchless Recordings in 2023.
Multi-award winning young saxophonist & composer Emma Rawicz returns to the Vortex with a formidable quintet featuring: Ivo Neame (piano), Jim Hart (vibraphone), Kevin Glasgow (bass) and Marc Michel (drums).
Multi-award winning young saxophonist & composer Emma Rawicz returns to the Vortex with a formidable quintet featuring: Ivo Neame (piano), Jim Hart (vibraphone), Kevin Glasgow (bass) and Marc Michel (drums).
A weekly session on Sunday evenings, the jams will be hosted by four of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson, tenor saxophonists Helena Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan (+ a few guests), each one hosting one session on rotation.
A very special double bill featuring Mark Holub’s trio Blueblut, emerging from Vienna’s thriving underground music scene + a duo between drummer Seb Rochford & Pamelia Stickney on theremin who first played together at the suggestion of Brighton’s Loop Festival, and subsequently recorded an album.
The Gypsy Jazz Festival of London, curated by violinist and producer Tobie Medland, is a showcase of some of the worlds finest cutting-edge musicians specialising in the style affectionately known as ‘Gypsy Jazz’. The festival has become one of the world’s most prestigious showcases of the distinctly European jazz style.
Come down for a drink downstairs with performances from a rotating group of London-based singers and instrumentalists. Arrive early if you’d also like to join in for when the sets open to the floor – all welcome!