Kefaya
We’re very excited to welcome this band back to The Vortex, with their fantastic energy and kaleidoscopic musical influences, every show they do is absolutely spellbinding. Kefaya is a musical…
Fri 15 August 2014
Thu 14 August 2014
Heidi Vogel
The Cinematic Orchestra vocalist, Heidi Vogel has worked with Isaac Hayes, F-ire Big Band, The Brand New Heavies, Cleveland Watkiss, Eska and others. Tonight performs material from her debut solo album, ‘Turn…
Wed 13 August 2014
Mechanical Moon + Olivia’s Owls
Mechanical Moon Mechanical Moon present an eclectic song cycle based on poems by the great American poet Elizabeth Bishop, combining elements of jazz, folk and storytelling. This project, the first…
Tue 12 August 2014
Susanna + Matt Stevens
For her Vortex concert tonight Susanna plays with her trio: Susanna on vocals and piano Helge Sten (Supersilent/Deathprod) on guitar Fredrik Wallumrød (former Span, El Caco) on drums and vocals.…
Mon 11 August 2014
F-IRE Collective present Fumi Okiji / Ben Davis / Fred Thomas / Zac Gvirtzman + guests
Performing music from the forthcoming album “Living Standards”, this dynamic group, part of the innovative F-IRE Collective explores the edges of jazz territory, re-imagining the poetry of the standard, its rich…
Week 2: Vocal Song Writing and Interpretation
Tutors: Yvette Riby-Williams and Bruno Heinen Led by the world renowned ‘Boxettes’ singer Yvette Riby-Williams and critically acclaimed pianist and composer Bruno Heinen, this week will be a fun, friendly…
Sun 10 August 2014
Death Shanties + Dan Haywood + Joanne Robertson
A night of free jazz and folk out-sounds as Death Shanties launch their brand new LP “Crabs” out on Fuse records. DEATH SHANTIES Death Shanties is a new mixed media…
Sat 09 August 2014
DJ Night
Ska from Retro Dom
Barb Jungr: Hard Rain – the songs of Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen
Barb Jungr: Hard Rain – the songs of Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen “a four star show built around her enthralling collection of songs by Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen.”…
Day 2: Saturday 9th August: Improvisation taster day
Tutors: Bruno Heinen & Kristian Borring In this fun crash course in improvisation we will be learning a few songs by ear written by the greats of jazz and blues.…
Fri 08 August 2014
DJ Night
Siriusonic night playing minimal tech, hip hop, breakbeat and jazz
Shirley Smart Trio
Shirley Smart Trio featuring Bruno Heinen on piano with special guests to be announced. Seriously jazzy Eastern-flavoured music! Shirley Smart After 10 years living in Jerusalem, Shirley Smart now lives in…
Thu 07 August 2014
Dreamtime
Over the years Dreamtime has existed in three different forms, a quintet, a sextet and a ten piece. This is the most recent incarnation of this long standing band. This…
Wed 06 August 2014
Woven Entity
Woven Entity are a unique proposition. Built round the percussive talents of Patrick Dawes, Lascelle Gordon and Paul May (whose credits range from Groove Armada to Beth Orton to The…
Tue 05 August 2014
Bruno Heinen / Kristian Borring / Alex Davis / Pat Davey
Bruno Heinen, piano Kristian Borring, guitar Alex Davis, bass Pat Davey, drums Bruno Heinen is a London based contemporary pianist, composer and bandleader. His recent endeavours include collaborations with Julian…
Mon 04 August 2014
Week 1: Introduction to Improvisation
Test Led by critically acclaimed pianist Bruno Heinen, and guitarist Kristian Borring, this course is aimed at musicians who would like to learn more about how to improvise in a…
Sun 03 August 2014
Overground Collective & Madwort’s Menagerie
Madwort’s Menagerie After a momentary glimpse in a misfiring big band rehearsal, Tom Ward has been bugged by an overheard snippet of a weird quartet comprising bass clarinet, flute, trumpet…
Day 1: Big & Small
Tutor: Tara Franks A cross-generational jam where together we devise a new piece of music from scratch using instruments you bring along, your voice and/or percussion. Come and have fun making music…
Sat 02 August 2014
Dj Night
Awet plays ska, reggae and rock
Riepler / Speake / Thornton / Draper
This is a one-off meeting, featuring original music from each of the musicians, whose paths have crossed many times on the London scene, be it at Ronnie Scott’s or on…
Fri 01 August 2014
DJ Night
Jimmy Nelson’s breaks and beats and bits & pieces. Although originally a deep/tech house DJ, Jimmy’s selection has long since matured to include blissful beats, nu-jazz, intelligent drum & bass…
Maurizio Minardi
An electrifying quartet led by pianist/accordionist Maurizio Minardi with the stunning cello of Shirley Smart (from Vortex favourites Melange), Michele Montolli on double bass and Jason Reeve on drums. Weaving…
Thu 31 July 2014
Funmi Olawumi NIGHT TWO
Nigerian singer Funmi Olawumi, the leader and founder of the glorious Yoruba Women’s Choir, performs two very special intimate shows – her only London shows of 2014. Across the two…
Wed 30 July 2014
Funmi Olawumi NIGHT ONE
Nigerian singer Funmi Olawumi, the leader and founder of the glorious Yoruba Women’s Choir, performs two very special intimate shows – her only London shows of 2014. Across the two…
Tue 29 July 2014
Shiver + Matthew Bourne Synthesizer Show
Chris Sharkey’s Shiver Chris Sharkey is ‘one of the most exciting guitarists on the UK scene’ (Jazzwise) and has spent the last decade performing in some of the UK’s most…
Mon 28 July 2014
Elliot Galvin Trio + The Lydian Tree
The Chaos Collective present another genre-pushing evening of live music. The Elliot Galvin Trio was formed in 2012 and sees the meeting of three like- minded creatives. Exploring the possibilities…
Sun 27 July 2014
Anton Hunter: Article 11
Commissioned by Manchester Jazz Festival & never before performed in London, Article 11 is an hour-long suite for a specially put-together international 11-piece band, composed by guitarist Anton Hunter. Article…
London Jazz Meetup
A social mixer and vinyl jazz jam. This is a group for people who love jazz in all its varied forms: from swing to be-bop, acid jazz to jazz-rock. More here
Sat 26 July 2014
DJ Night
Slauka and Dubratz play dub, deep dubstep, bass, hip hop, jungle
Kit Downes & Tom Challenger: Wedding Music + Dan Nicholls
A very special opportunity to experience Wedding Music; the stunning collaboration between Tom Challenger (Saxophone) and Kit Downes (Church Organ). Plus the remarkable keyboard player Dan Nicholls plays a solo…
Fri 25 July 2014
DJ Night
Hard Roots with DJs Rico Casazza and Nicson playing deep house, funk & rare grooves.
Annie Whitehead’s World Music Workshop
Back for their annual Vortex Workshop. An exciting blend of music from twenty horns, featuring jazz, african and latin grooves, under the leadership of trombone virtuoso Annie Whitehead and supported…
Thu 24 July 2014
Evan Parker / John Edwards / Steve Noble
Monthly Vortex residency with the master of free improvisation. Evan Parker A major force in European improvising, Parker has collaborated with everyone from Cecil Taylor, Paul Bley & Anthony Braxton,…
Wed 23 July 2014
Trio Manouche
Trio Manouche are one of the UK’s leading gypsy swing ensembles, performing inspired re-worked classics of Django Reinhardt in addition to highly acclaimed original material penned by their band leader…
Tue 22 July 2014
What is Beauty
Mediorite and Poached Creatives present Art Exhibition ‘what is Beauty’ showcasing outsider art, film, poetry and painting from young people and adults who have experienced mental health issues and those…
Mon 21 July 2014
Mopomoso presents Quaqua Anglo Austria NIGHT TWO
We present a two night festival of improvised music, linking up some of the most exiting British and Austrian improvisers around. Each night will have a different programme of smaller combinations…
Sun 20 July 2014
Mopomoso presents Quaqua Anglo Austria NIGHT ONE
We present a two night festival of improvised music, linking up some of the most exiting British and Austrian improvisers around. Each night will have a different programme of smaller combinations…
Sat 19 July 2014
Dance Nations Dalston
For the fifth year running, in partnership with the Barbican, we present a day of music and dance in Gillett Square and the Vortex. So grab your glad rags and…
Dance Nations Dalston
For the fifth year running, head to Dalston’s hippest square for a packed day of live music and dance workshops. For all ages and abilities, this annual event unites some…
Fri 18 July 2014
DJ Night
Electronic dub funk with Minimal Sound
Bitch ‘n’ Monk + Laura Moody
Bitch ‘n’ Monk ‘Beatboxing soprano’ & guitarist Heidi Heidelberg and experimental flute-player Mauricio Velasierra first met in a tent in Taunton, fought over melodies in Paris, and are now gaining…
Thu 17 July 2014
David Thomas Broughton + Woodpigeon SOLD OUT
“Arguably the most staggering live musician in the country.” – SONNY BAKER, MOJO David Thomas Broughton occupies a contentious position, divides opinion, unsettles, is self-consciously clumsy, hilarious, beautiful but above…
Wed 16 July 2014
Twelves
Twelves is a longstanding collaborative project based on the exploratory and the improvised. Twelves create a sound-world taking in elements of swing, odd-time signatures, free improv and alt-country in addition…
Tots Tunes
For parents and babies/toddlers (0-5s) Created and led by Tara Franks. This joy-filled class offers the opportunity for parents to sing, dance and shake along to songs from around the…
Tue 15 July 2014
Adriano Adewale
Adriano Adewale is a mesmerizing multi-dimensional percussionist who follows in the footsteps of fellow Brasilian Nana Vasconcelos. His Raizes ensemble features Kora player virtuoso Kadialy Kouyate and Marcelo Andrade on…
Vegan Pop Up Restaurant
The Vortex Downstairs holds its second vegan popup night with a delicious three-course set meal for £15. Chef Emily Stephenson has previously worked at the Wild Food Café in Covent…
Mon 14 July 2014
Audrey Lauro / Olie Brice / Mark Sanders plus Lauren Kinsella / Hannah Marshall / Nick Malcolm
Audrey Lauro, saxophone Olie Brice, double bass Mark Sanders, drums AUDREY LAURO Audrey Lauro is an alto saxophonist with a wealth of experience in the Belgian experimental music scene, having…
Sun 13 July 2014
The Kenny Wheeler Collective
The Kenny Wheeler Collective was recently formed to celebrate the great man’s music and consists of some of his closest musical colleagues performing compositions from Kenny’s vast repertoire. John Taylor piano…
Guildhall Jazz Band
Emerging young stars, led by Scott Stroman, take the stage as the big-band flagship of the Guildhall’s renowned jazz programme round off their season with a special concert featuring compositions…