A weekly session on Sunday evenings, hosted by four of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson and tenor saxophonists Helena Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan, each one hosting one session on rotation.
Over the past decade, Danish double bassist Jasper Høiby has become renowned the world over for his fearlessly expressive sound, charismatic stage presence, and distinct compositional prowess.
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!
Trumpeter Alexandra Ridout hosts the opening night of this year’s EFG London Jazz Festival at the Vortex with her trio featuring Freddie Jensen on bass and James Maddren on drums.
Saxophonist James Allsopp returns to the Vortex with frequent collaborator Dave Storey on drums, Olly Hayhurst on double bass and Chris Batchelor on trumpet.
The debut gig of ‘Baku Baku’, the latest project from pianist/composer Rick Simpson, featuring Simpson on synths and piano, Adam King on electric and synth bass and Jay Davis on drums
A new series of events at the Vortex Downstairs organised by Local & Live in Hackney, a small group of local musicians and artists. They organise gigs to support musicians, and their communities, across the rich traditions of Hackney and East London.
For the latest in our new monthly series of up-and-coming musicians of the scene here in London, we have a night programmed by guitarist Jakub Klimiuk. New music, new line-ups. What could be more exciting. Take the plunge and come along!
A weekly session on Sunday evenings, hosted by four of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson and tenor saxophonists Helena Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan, each one hosting one session on rotation.
MOJO Big Band and Catherine Lima return to the Vortex for another afternoon of exceptional jazz.
Collaborating with Tony Kofi, Alina Bzhezhinska brings a unique show that draws from diverse influences, from Dorothy Ashby’s ‘Afro-Harping’ to Alice Coltrane’s spiritual expressions, Joe Henderson’s free-form jazz, and the vibes of ’90s Acid Jazz and Trip Hop.
The first of many intimate nights of carefree dancing in the heart of Dalston — downstairs at the Vortex Jazz Club.
Only the second outing this year for this unique big band. Playing brand new music and music cultivated over the years in residency at The Vortex.
Guitarist Jean de Talhouët leads ONMO – bringing new original music which is dynamic, melodic, lyrical, contrasting, broad ranging, interweaving minimalist grooves, modal explorations, ethereal textures punctuated by playful, beat driven exclamations. Featuring an all-star cast of spirited and acclaimed musicians, we are excited to bring this relatively new project to The Vortex Jazz Club.
Performing material from Olie Brice’s recent album ‘Fire Hills’, the trio play melodic, swinging, explorative free jazz. The compositions include dedications to Eric Dolphy, Andrew Hill and Johnny Dyani.
Awen Ensemble are an alternative folk jazz collective featuring spoken word, shimmering instrumentation and a Celtic mystique, they bring a unique offering to the live performance table.
The Antidote features the formidable quintet of Alex Hitchcock on saxophone, Ant Law on guitar, Tom Hewson on piano, Marc Michel on drums, and of course Matt Ridley on bass. Tonight, they celebrate the release of their latest album “The Antidote: Live at the London Jazz Festival’
A weekly session on Sunday evenings, hosted by four of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson and tenor saxophonists Helena Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan, each one hosting one session on rotation.
An afternoon of standards, as well as a touch of French, South African and Latin sounds.
Led by pianist Nikki Iles – described as a “formidable UK jazz presence” by the Guardian – and starring Grammy-nominated vocalist Norma Winstone MBE alongside four of the UK’s most brilliant jazz instrumentalists, the band is fully deserving of its ‘supergroup’ reputation.
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!
Martin Speake celebrates the music of Ornette Coleman with this new “In All Languages” band featuring Alison Cawley (tenor sax), Calum Gourlay (double bass) & Ethan Sweeting (drums).
Tori Freestone & Alcyona Mick celebrate the release of ‘Make One Little Room an Everywhere’, the duo much anticipated second release. Joining them at the Vortex will be award winning vocalist Brigitte Beraha who’s featured on the new album.
Sheldon Agwu’s new project ‘The Pirate Sessions’ is an exploration of Free Improvisation, incorporating elements of Jazz, Avant Garde Hip-Hop, Electronica, and World Music.
The trio, featuring 3 leading voices in the international jazz scene: Will Vinson on sax & keys, Gilad Hekselman on guitar, and Nate Wood on drums & bass, will be celebrating the release of their new album ‘Urban Myth’ on Whirlwind Recordings.
The trio, featuring 3 leading voices in the international jazz scene: Will Vinson on sax & keys, Gilad Hekselman on guitar, and Nate Wood on drums & bass, will be celebrating the release of their new album ‘Urban Myth’ on Whirlwind Recordings.
A weekly session on Sunday evenings, hosted by four of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson and tenor saxophonists Helena Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan, each one hosting one session on rotation.
Come & join us for another wonderful Mopomoso afternoon featuring: Geoff Eales (piano), Paul Jolly (reeds), Ray “Roughler” Jones (spoken words) & Maria Sappho (piano) + Harry Gilonis (voice) & Eddie Prevost (percussion) + Jackson Burton (voice) & Ash Reid (clarinet, voice etc)
Rory Ingham brings together the best jazz trombonists in the business to play a night of brand new music, featuring fresh works by prolific writer and world-famous trombonist Mark Nightingale.
This is a new project which sees the original quartet of like-minded friends, Family Band, expanded to a seven piece band. The band takes as its starting point the music of those musicians who, back in the 1960s, were at the forefront of the free jazz revolution, but whose opening up of jazz’s constraints is now recognised as not a break from the past but an integral part of the music’s development.
24-year-old, London based trumpeter & composer Grifton Forbes-Amos brings his quintet to the Vortex for the very first time to perform some original compositions.
Maddalena Ghezzi and Maria Chiara Argirò will present Emerald, a sci-fi feminist EP by Maddalena and part of her series “Minerals” with live sound manipulation by Anything Pointless.
Join us for a very special evening featuring three of London’s finest musicians in trio together for the first time.
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.
A weekly session on Sunday evenings, hosted by four of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson and tenor saxophonists Helena Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan, each one hosting one session on rotation.
Lulu Pierre is a startling new arrival on the London jazz vocal scene, who has proved herself to be a classic Torch Song stylist in the tradition of Julie London.
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!
The return of the mistressful Carol Grimes, one of our favourite vocalists, with a band featuring Deirdre Cartwright (guitar), Alison Rayner (bass) & Steve Lodder (piano).
Alongside his internationally acclaimed jazz flute playing Eddie is a superlative pianist and keyboard player (“my Dad started me on piano when I was 4”, he says), and the band is also a vehicle for this hitherto largely unknown side.
Francisco Garcia de Paredes is a jazz guitarist and composer from North London and a graduate of the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and Tomorrow’s Warriors jazz programme. Drawing inspiration from a diverse array of artists including Gretchen Parlato, Aaron Parks, Jim Hall, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Francisco strives to weave these influences into his music, shaping his unique compositional voice.
Jay Davis’s BadTrad features four of the most exciting improvising voices from the UK Jazz scene. Compositions include pieces using melodies overheard being hummed by strangers in the street, a robotic construction from a laptop and a three year olds’ piano improvisation.
This October, guitarist Tom Ollendorff is touring with his quartet featuring the legendary saxophonist Tim Garland to celebrate the release of his critically acclaimed latest album ‘Open House’.
A weekly session on Sunday evenings, hosted by four of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson and tenor saxophonists Helena Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan, each one hosting one session on rotation.
During his 10-year tenure with the LJO, Stuart Hall produced a wealth of great (and witty) compositions and arrangements for the band, often featuring singer Brigitte Beraha – they return for a joyous celebration of his music alongside great new music written by the band’s members.
Acclaimed trumpeter / composer Laura Jurd paves the way for the spirited improvisations of UK free jazz icon, Paul Dunmall and his quartet – fuelled by a dream-team, brass quintet.
Olli Soikkeli was born in Nurmes, Finland in 1991. He started playing guitar at age of 12. After a few years of playing Olli was introduced to the music of the great Django Reinhardt and Gypsy Jazz has been Ollis main focus ever since. Soon Olli was playing in jazz clubs and festivals all around Finland with the top musicians from Finland. After touring all around Europe with musicians such as Paulus Schäfer and Arnoud Van Den Berg Olli decided to move to New York City in 2014.
Shrike Records are pleased to host a special double-header at the Vortex, showcasing some of London’s finest improvising musicians, and presenting two recent releases from this new label.
Guitarist Joseph Leighton has been hailed as one of Ireland’s brightest new jazz talents. This new trio features two legends of the UK jazz scene Oli Hayhurst (Pharoah Sanders, Kirk Lightsey) and Jay Davis (Alex Hitchcock & ‘BadTrad’).
This is the first of the new Whirlpool series, encouraging new music from the newest cohort of London musicians. Six curators, recent graduates, will programme the nights to encourage the creation of new connections, both professional and musical. Each gig will involve musicians from across graduates of the three main London colleges: Royal Academy Of Music, Guildhall School of Music And Drama & Trinity Laban.
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.