The Vortex discussion this week focuses on how we can make sure that our music is heard and supported. With long-term funding at risk, with Brexit and the pandemic potentially…

A quartet featuring some of Birmingham and the UK’s finest improvisors: David Austin Grey (piano), Xhosa Cole (tenor sax / flute), Shivraj Singh (double bass) and Nathan Jones (drums)

A quartet featuring some of Birmingham and the UK’s finest improvisors: David Austin Grey (piano), Xhosa Cole (tenor sax / flute), Shivraj Singh (double bass) and Nathan Jones (drums)

The Jon Onabowu Trio presents an eclectic night of jazz/fusion with drummer Jon Onabowu (Kamaal Williams), bassist Jon Moko (Kokoroko) and keyboardist David Mrakpor (Blue Lab Beats).

The Jon Onabowu Trio presents an eclectic night of jazz/fusion with drummer Jon Onabowu (Kamaal Williams), bassist Jon Moko (Kokoroko) and keyboardist David Mrakpor (Blue Lab Beats).

Line-up: Becca Wilkins – Vocals Christos Stylianides – Trumpet, Electronics Olly Chalk – Piano, Synths Daisy George – Bass Jack Robson – Drums About Becca Wilkins is a young, innovative…

Becca Wilkins is a young, innovative vocalist, and her latest project, Gestalt, aims to break the mould of vocal-led jazz ensembles. Becca’s unique sense of style combines poignant lyricism with textural vocalisation in a soundscape combining electronics, FX and improvisation.

This three-piece – Jamie Stockbridge (alto sax), Mike Parr-Burman (guitar) and Adam Stapleford (drums) – are an explosive live band, veering from taut metronomic precision into intentionally turbulent, unchartered territory.

This three-piece – Jamie Stockbridge (alto sax), Mike Parr-Burman (guitar) and Adam Stapleford (drums) – are an explosive live band, veering from taut metronomic precision into intentionally turbulent, unchartered territory.

Collaboration is crucial for evolution of the music and its momentum.  Have the moves to localism and remote work been positive or will we just revert? Personal contact may be…

Straight from being nominated for Lockdown innovation award at this year’s parliamentary jazz awards, Liam Noble brings his live stream solo shows to the Vortex. Songs drawn from the eighties, the…

Straight from being nominated for Lockdown innovation award at this year’s parliamentary jazz awards, Liam Noble brings his live stream solo shows to the Vortex. Songs drawn from the eighties, the…

Violinist Dominic Ingham’s quartet features Jonny Mansfield on vibraphone, Will Sach on Bass and Dave Hamblett on drums. Together, they explore new musical spaces through this unusual line up as well as performing “modern day lullabies”.

Violinist Dominic Ingham’s quartet features Jonny Mansfield on vibraphone, Will Sach on Bass and Dave Hamblett on drums. Together, they explore new musical spaces through this unusual line up as well as performing “modern day lullabies”.

Line-up: Alexander Hawkins – Piano Neil Charles – Bass Jon Scott – Drums Alexander Hawkins is a composer, pianist, organist, and bandleader who is ‘unlike anything else in modern creative…

Line-up: Alexander Hawkins – Piano Neil Charles – Bass Jon Scott – Drums Alexander Hawkins is a composer, pianist, organist, and bandleader who is ‘unlike anything else in modern creative…

Featuring the irrepressible musicality of saxophonist Josephine Davies, drummer Will Glaser, and bassist Dave Whitford, Satori is an ever-evolving ensemble that defies the categorization of either avant-garde or mainstream jazz, instead shifting deftly and dynamically through various imaginative soundscapes according to where their shared inspiration takes them.

Featuring the irrepressible musicality of saxophonist Josephine Davies, drummer Will Glaser, and bassist Dave Whitford, Satori is an ever-evolving ensemble that defies the categorization of either avant-garde or mainstream jazz, instead shifting deftly and dynamically through various imaginative soundscapes according to where their shared inspiration takes them.

Celebrating his 80th birthday at the Vortex, legendary British trumpet player Henry Lowther presents his band ‘Still Waters’ feat. Pete Hurt (tenor saxophone), Alcyona Mick (piano), Dave Green (double bass) and Paul Clarvis (drums).

Celebrating his 80th birthday at the Vortex, legendary British trumpet player Henry Lowther presents his band ‘Still Waters’ feat. Pete Hurt (tenor saxophone), Alcyona Mick (piano), Dave Green (double bass) and Paul Clarvis (drums).

Pianist Sam Leak presents “The Liberation Suite” – a composition paying tribute to Charlie Haden’s “Liberation Music Orchestra.” He will be joined by George Crowley on tenor saxophone/clarinet, James Copus on trumpet, Simon Read on double bass, and Jon Scott on the drums.

Pianist Sam Leak presents “The Liberation Suite” – a composition paying tribute to Charlie Haden’s “Liberation Music Orchestra.” He will be joined by George Crowley on tenor saxophone/clarinet, James Copus on trumpet, Simon Read on double bass, and Jon Scott on the drums.

A trio of fantastic improvisers – Liam Noble (piano), Mark Sanders (drums) & Harrison Smith (saxophones / bass clarinet)

A trio of fantastic improvisers – Liam Noble (piano), Mark Sanders (drums) & Harrison Smith (saxophones / bass clarinet)

This week’s discussion focuses again on how the music and performers and can earn money. Especially after the year of the pandemic. With not enough gigs where to sell music,…

Singer-songwriter & multi-instrumentalist Fini Bearman comes together with Tom Cawley (piano), James Maddren (drums) and Conor Chaplin (bass) to perform the songs from this record, in the wonderfully intimate setting of the Vortex.

Singer-songwriter & multi-instrumentalist Fini Bearman comes together with Tom Cawley (piano), James Maddren (drums) and Conor Chaplin (bass) to perform the songs from this record, in the wonderfully intimate setting of the Vortex.

Glasshopper are delighted to finally celebrate the release of their debut ‘Fortune Rules’ at the Vortex. Released in October 2020 with Norwegian Label AMP Music & Records, the record is an abstract tale that plunges into deep electric landscapes and raises into territory that suspends in the air. The evening will be a unique opportunity for the trio to invite album guests Sylvia Schmidt and Ed Begley to perform.

Glasshopper are delighted to finally celebrate the release of their debut ‘Fortune Rules’ at the Vortex. Released in October 2020 with Norwegian Label AMP Music & Records, the record is an abstract tale that plunges into deep electric landscapes and raises into territory that suspends in the air. The evening will be a unique opportunity for the trio to invite album guests Sylvia Schmidt and Ed Begley to perform.

Bassist John Williamson’s new quartet combines the freedom of the chordless format with a diversity of influences, anchored by emotional honesty and a strong melodic instinct.

Bassist John Williamson’s new quartet combines the freedom of the chordless format with a diversity of influences, anchored by emotional honesty and a strong melodic instinct.

The 21st of July 2021 will see the long-awaited return of London-based contemporary jazz quintet Planck Walker’s to the Vortex. Founded in early 2019 and performing their debut concert at Ronnie Scott’s in the spring of that year, this boundary-pushing ensemble is made up of some of the capital’s brightest up-and-coming improvisers and composers.

The 21st of July 2021 will see the long-awaited return of London-based contemporary jazz quintet Planck Walker’s to the Vortex. Founded in early 2019 and performing their debut concert at Ronnie Scott’s in the spring of that year, this boundary-pushing ensemble is made up of some of the capital’s brightest up-and-coming improvisers and composers.

With a long association spanning more than 30yrs, these two stalwarts of the UK Jazz scene , both bandleaders and still at the top of their game: Jonathan Gee (piano / keys) & Cleveland Watkiss (voice / electronics) reconnect for summer 2021 launching at the Vortex on Saturday 17th July.

With a long association spanning more than 30yrs, these two stalwarts of the UK Jazz scene , both bandleaders and still at the top of their game: Jonathan Gee (piano / keys) & Cleveland Watkiss (voice / electronics) reconnect for summer 2021 launching at the Vortex on Saturday 17th July.

Rob has led his own trio since 2012 with drummer Josh Morrison and bassist Jeremy Brown. Performing regularly at Ronnie Scott’s jazz club, they have performed opposite The Louis Hayes Quartet, The Kenny Barron Trio and Cecile McLorin Salvant. Tonight the trio will feature material from albums as well as brand new compositions and arrangements composed during lockdown!