Queer Jazz exists to platform, nurture and celebrate the emerging queer jazz scene. Programmed by Tina Edwards and Arowah, they have put together an exciting monthly programme of innovative LGBTQI+ artists at The Vortex Jazz Club, supported by Arts Council England.

John Etheridge’s reputation in the jazz world cannot be overstated. A genuinely virtuosic fusion guitarist, Etheridge is one of a handful of players who can claim to have helped shape the character of modern jazz guitar.

Frost and Marrows come together with a brilliant rhythm section of Huw V Williams on double bass and Ollie Peszynski on drums in this co-led band to perform a selection of their own compositions as well as some their favourite music from celebrated jazz musicians/composers including Paul Motian, Keith Jarrett and Joe Zawinul.

The trio present a buoyant and elusive jazz, driven by referential investigation and an unorthodox approach to the warp and phase of rhythm.

Rick Simpson presents his first Piano Trio project. This is a trio that thrives on freedom and interaction. Original tunes and inventive arrangements become launching points for improvisation, with the band slipping effortlessly from one piece into another.

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 London Jazz Orchestra, one of London’s musical treasures, opens its 35th season at the Vortex featuring the music of one of the great jazz writers, tenor saxophonist Pete Hurt.  A long-serving members of the band, Pete is an outstanding soloist and composer of numerous pieces for the LJO.

Pianist/composer Hans Koller joins forces with double bassist Calum Gourlay, fellow founder member of the Monk repertoire band Thelonious, and with the unique saxophone virtuoso Tony Kofi, plus the amazing young drummer Noah Ojumu in a celebration of the music of Thelonious Monk.

With the Julian Siegel Quartet, the BBC Jazz Award winning saxophonist and composer Julian Siegel can be heard alongside some of this generation’s most distinctive voices, creating an in-demand Quartet on the UK and European Jazz scene.

Award winning vibraphonist and composer Jonny Mansfield brings his quartet for a special show at the Vortex featuring the incredible Emmanuel Michael.

Billy Pod is an award-winning Greek drummer/musician based in London. His debut album “Drums to Heal Society” that was released in 2019 has not just given Vasileios Podaras (aka Billy Pod) a prominent position among the new generation of drummers internationally but also demonstrated his compelling skills as a composer and music ensemble director.

Featuring: dj angel wings b2b with aloisius, who will leave a kiss upon every petals forehead on the wing of your heart Cajm, who will leave a kiss on the wind Damsel Elysium, who will leave a kiss by the door and on the window + the sweet voices of: Coby Sey, Imvn, Camelia, Shauwdii 

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.

Saxophonist Jean Toussaint presents a special edition of his quintet JT5.
Since Jean Toussaint Left Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, he hasn’t looked back. Nor has he spent a career trying to repeat the past.

The “New Masters” quintet brings together a group of outstanding younger musicians who I met in the main on London’s thriving jam session scene after the Covid curtain lifted in 2021.

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.

Tom Smith is an award-winning saxophonist, composer, and arranger, firmly established within London’s vibrant jazz scene.

Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, this performance had to be postponed. We hope to announce a new date soon.
New gig confirmed: Ollendorff/Stone-Lonergan/Chaplin/Giles

Four of London’s most in-demand musicians come to The Vortex on Friday 22nd August to present a set of inventive arrangements drawn from the modern jazz tradition. Expect an evening of close interplay and fresh perspectives on well-loved material.

For this appearance, London-based saxophonist and Dankworth Prize-winning composer Matt Anderson will be joined by some of his favourite musicians from the new generation of the London jazz scene, pianist Scottie Thompson and drummer Kai MacRae, alongside his long-time collaborator bassist Will Harris, who is a regular member of the Matt
Anderson Quartet.

New York tap dancer Liberty Styles joins forces with saxophonist Rachael Cohen for a performance bursting with creativity, tradition and spontaneity. An exciting meeting of two artists at the height of their craft.

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.

Heidi Vogel vocalist with The Cinematic Orchestra has performed around the world from The Sydney Opera House to Fuji Rock and Headlining Montreux Jazz festival with Quincy Jones in attendance.

This evening at the Vortex Joy will be performing music from all three of her albums on voice and piano alongside her quartet. She will also be previewing new music from an upcoming release.

Award winning virtuoso jazz guitarist, composer and bandleader Miles Mindlin returns to the Vortex with a group featuring Mejedi Owusu (trumpet), Kai MacRae (drums) and Tom Sheen (double bass).

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.

Since returning to the UK Zoe has recorded and toured 4 albums with her partner, multi-award winning guitarist Jim Mullen. The most recent “Somewhere in the Night”.

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.

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.