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.
Maydew/Wickham/Martin-Jones is a jazz trio that ventures into the rich worlds of European folk and classical music, reimagining them through the art of improvisation.
Into his 5th decade of playing regular gigs at the Vortex, Virtuoso Tuba player and inventor of the Orenophone, Oren Marshall brings together two of his favourite (and multiple award-winning) London musicians – saxophonist/composer Josephine Davies and drummer/composer Jay Davis.
Daniel Kemshell and Olly Chalk first met in Birmingham over ten years ago. Since then their friendship and musicianship has blossomed through frequent collaboration.
Rosie Turton, Isobella Burnham, Momoko Gill, Jan Halen and Bridget Walsh create and co-regulate in real time, exploring everything from wildfires to revolution, misogyny to mutual-aid, lullabies to Land Back. Special guest performance from Rosie Frater-Taylor.
High energy free improvisation from a quartet made up of four leading names from the UK and European jazz and improvised music scene.
Whispers of Rain is a bold collaboration between Alina Bzhezhinska and Tulshi, reimagining the harp through the lens of electronics and live sound design. For this special album launch, Alina is joined by the legendary Tony Kofi, whose powerful saxophone voice brings new colours to their soundscape & special guest Hyelim Kim.
Annie Whitehead 4tet & The Orchestra That Fell to Earth.
A very special double-header to celebrate the 70th birthday of world renowned trombonist Annie Whitehead.
“Vortex Lates” is a new series of events taking place in our downstairs bar from 10-1am every Friday or Saturday. A new late-night jazz hang for Dalston where you can grab a drink and listen to some of the best improvised musicians from around the city.
To top off it’s 33rd season at the Vortex, the London Jazz Orchestra celebrates the 75th birthday of phenomenal pianist and composer Pete Saberton, whose unique writing and playing style helped define the sound of the band.
A weekly session on Sunday evenings, the jams will be hosted by some of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson, guitarist Nick Costley-White, trumpeter Sean Gibbs and tenor saxophonists Harben Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan (+ sometimes a few guest leaders) each one hosting one session on rotation.
Gloria Yehilevsky’s G M?R is a trio+ whose identity expands beyond its London-based core of Yehilevsky on vibraphone/percussion, Aram Bahmaie on basses, Jason Yarde on saxophone and Sam Norris on alto sax/flute.
UFO (Unidentified Folk Outfit), led by Tom Ridout on the electric recorder, is a Rock/Folk power trio that reinvents traditional English folk music. The band combines innovative arrangements with a focus on improvisation, creating a unique and dynamic sound. Expect to hear well-known melodies, but with intriguing and unexpected twists.
Quicksilver improvisation from a quartet of dynamic voices from across the UK creative music spectrum
Known for ‘Nudging boundaries as she goes’ and ‘raw and striking vocals’ Italian singer and storyteller Germana Stella La Sorsa’s innovative style has found the perfect partner in internationally renowned British guitarist Tom Ollendorff, starting a collaboration envisioned as a celebration of the beauty of simplicity.
Lekan Babalola Known for his interpretation of ancient music through African Diaspora influences, Lekan Babalola and The Sacred Funk Quartet bring you an evening of “mesmerizing fusion, skillfully blending cosmopolitan nuances with mystical subtlety.”
Two leading lights of the UK contemporary jazz scene, well known as members of the award winning group Empirical, come together for this explosive duo show. Nathaniel Facey (alto saxophone) and Shaney Forbes (drums) will explore the material from John Coltrane’s classic record Interstellar Space.
A weekly session on Sunday evenings, the jams will be hosted by some of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson, guitarist Nick Costley-White, trumpeter Sean Gibbs and tenor saxophonists Harben Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan (+ sometimes a few guest leaders) 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.
Doors 7:45 PM, Music 8:30 PM – 2 set(s) of music About Queer Jazz exists to platform, nurture and celebrate the emerging queer jazz scene. Programmed by Tina Edwards…
London guitarist and composer Jakub Klimiuk brings his quintet to present music from the critically acclaimed album ‘(un)balanced’, described by The Guardian as “a rare mix of New York edginess and Scandinavian avant-jazz impressionism”, alongside completely new material.
ReWired is the new acoustic trio project from acclaimed composer, arranger and pianist, Janette Mason.
Album launch for “All It Was”, the new album by the Olie Brice Quartet. The Olie Brice Quartet – featuring Rachel Musson, Alexander Hawkins and Will Glaser – play Brice’s compositions
Described by the Guardian as “eclectic, eccentric and unobtrusively erudite”, Bruno Heinen joins forces with acclaimed ECM recording artist Tom Challenger to play arrangements of Abdullah Ibrahim, Dorothy Ashby and Leonard Bernstein alongside originals from the co-leaders with fiery young rhythm section of Kobe Heath and Will Cleasby.
This month featuring: Robin Foster (objects), Matthew Grigg (guitar/amplifier) & Tom Ward (saxophone/clarinet/flute) + John Butcher (saxophones), Phil Durrant (mandolin), Mark Wastell (perc) + Charlotte Keeffe (trumpet), N.O. Moore (guitar) & Peter Cusack (guitar, electronics)
A weekly session on Sunday evenings, the jams will be hosted by some of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson, guitarist Nick Costley-White, trumpeter Sean Gibbs and tenor saxophonists Harben Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan (+ sometimes a few guest leaders) each one hosting one session on rotation.
An evening of beautiful Eastern European and Gypsy Folk with some Klezmer. The first of a series of live, unplugged & audio inclusive gigs that we’ll be hosting throughout the year in association with Sownd Affects.
Loz Speyer’s Inner Space takes on the music of Outer Space, as composed by the mighty intergalactic bandleader Sun Ra – and arranged from the original piano scores for a new collaboration with two very special guests, Jason Yarde and Marcina Arnold.
Doors 6:45 PM, Music 7:30 PM – 1 set(s) of music Line-up: Ayman Sinada – Drums Grifton Forbes-Amos – Trumpet Kavi Maraj – Bass Guitar Laurie Milton – Piano…
A brand new collaboration between Laura Jurd, James Allsopp and Dave Storey featuring Norwegian special guest Magne Thormodsæter on double bass.
Guitarist and composer Karim Saber performs music from his upcoming sophomore album alongside his longstanding band of collaborators.
Niklas Lukassen (GER) unites protagonists of the scenes of Amsterdam, London, Paris and Berlin with Ben Van Gelder (NL), Ivo Neame (UK) and Francesco Ciniglio (IT) in his quartet.
Niklas Lukassen (GER) unites protagonists of the scenes of Amsterdam, London, Paris and Berlin with Ben Van Gelder (NL), Ivo Neame (UK) and Francesco Ciniglio (IT) in his quartet.
A weekly session on Sunday evenings, the jams will be hosted by some of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson, guitarist Nick Costley-White, trumpeter Sean Gibbs and tenor saxophonists Harben Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan (+ sometimes a few guest leaders) each one hosting one session on rotation.
Launching their new album ‘It’s about time’ tonight, this electric/acoustic guitar duo play distinctive arrangements of Stevie Wonder, Thelonious Monk & Brazilian classics augmented by Paul Clarvis on drums/percussion.
Over his career, saxophonist and composer Vaughan Hawthorne-Nelson has crafted an unmistakable sound that is deeply communicative. Tonight he returns to the Vortex for a rare concert from one of most compelling bands on the scene.
“Elchin Shirinov has developed a sound and approach all his own. His writing and piano playing echo another time, yet resonate with a striking modernity. He truly draws a unique sound from the piano, unlocking a full palette of sonic color. This is music worth exploring deeply.” – Larry Grenadier
A weekly session on Sunday evenings, the jams will be hosted by some of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson, guitarist Nick Costley-White, trumpeter Sean Gibbs and tenor saxophonists Harben Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan (+ sometimes a few guest leaders) each one hosting one session on rotation.
The trio of John Butcher, Mark Wastell, and Luigi Marino first met in 2022 at the chapel of St. Margaret’s House in Bethnal Green, London. Wastell and Marino had begun collaborating in 2018—initially within Mark’s large ensemble The Seen, and later as a parallel duo—focusing on the resonances of metal instruments and a shared sense of time.
Ashley Bonfante brings his fun new project to the Vortex for the first time. This exciting group, full of wonderfully creative improvisers, will be exploring the music of the great Ornette Coleman with some Booker Little, and Eric Dolphy thrown in for good measure.
As soon as Korhan Futacı presses his lips to the saxophone’s mouthpiece, the ritual begins. During his London debut at Vortex as a new resident, the prominent figure of Turkey’s alternative music scene will guide us from the chaos of Istanbul to an uncharted realm. A place filled with vitality but also darkness; fusing traditional Turkish music with free improvisations.
The most intimate version of Billy Marrows’ acclaimed 12-piece chamber-jazz ensemble, the Grande Família Quartet features an unusual line-up of some of London’s finest young jazz musicians.
A weekly session on Sunday evenings, the jams will be hosted by some of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson, guitarist Nick Costley-White, trumpeter Sean Gibbs and tenor saxophonists Harben Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan (+ sometimes a few guest leaders) each one hosting one session on rotation.
Quentin Collins Quintet features an All-Star line up of contemporary straight-ahead musicians on the London scene. Featuring regular front line partner and renowned tenor sax tyro Leo Richardson, expect new and old QC originals as well as choice arrangements from the contemporary bop canon, always focusing on tight ensemble playing and swinging grooves.
A weekly session on Sunday evenings, the jams will be hosted by some of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson, guitarist Nick Costley-White, trumpeter Sean Gibbs and tenor saxophonists Harben Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan (+ sometimes a few guest leaders) each one hosting one session on rotation.
Two of the most exciting guitarists to emerge for the UK in recent years, Chris Montague and Ant Law have formed a quartet with brand new material written together. Ant and Chris have huge mutual respect for each other’s playing and writing and decided to compose a set of material together, it will also feature the incredible Conor Chaplin on bass and Mark Mondesir on drums.
A weekly session on Sunday evenings, the jams will be hosted by some of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson, guitarist Nick Costley-White, trumpeter Sean Gibbs and tenor saxophonists Harben Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan (+ sometimes a few guest leaders) each one hosting one session on rotation.
LVDF is the new Italy / UK / New Zealand cross cultural collaboration between four artists at the forefront of their respective boundary-pushing jazz scenes, and are excited to celebrate the launch of their debut EP at the Vortex Jazz Club!
A weekly session on Sunday evenings, the jams will be hosted by some of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson, guitarist Nick Costley-White, trumpeter Sean Gibbs and tenor saxophonists Harben Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan (+ sometimes a few guest leaders) each one hosting one session on rotation.
A weekly session on Sunday evenings, the jams will be hosted by some of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson, guitarist Nick Costley-White, trumpeter Sean Gibbs and tenor saxophonists Harben Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan (+ sometimes a few guest leaders) each one hosting one session on rotation.