2017 Downbeat Rising Star Gilad Hekselman appears with his trio ZuperOctave, featuring pianist Aaron Parks and drummer Kendrick Scott. This bass-less band is exploring electronics with the goal of still keeping the music organic and flexible.
Featuring an exciting mix of Norwegian and UK jazz musicians this band preforms original music that effortlessly combines pretty melodies and complicated chord changes.
Our monthly residency continues for a big band initiated by bassist Calum Gourlay, known for his great work with Thelonious, an award-winning solo album and more. “I want it to…
Comprising four long-term collaborators and friends (thus the ‘family’ tag), the band takes as its starting point the freewheeling music of the 1960s free jazz revolution; moments of fierce intensity, introspection and the blues all combining into an emotionally complex and often cathartic whole.
The LJO continues to set the standard in modern jazz, with great ensemble playing, cutting edge writing, and exciting soloing from the finest players on the scene.
James Brandon Lewis – tenor sax, Luke Stewart – bass Warren Crudup III – drums Anthony Pirog – guitar The James Brandon Lewis Trio, with the addition of guitarist…
“She’s got an extraordinary voice….an incredible range and such a texture….keep an eye out for Heidi Vogel.”
– JAMIE CULLUM BBC RADIO 2
Words & Jazz SPECIAL!! Join us in the cosy downstairs bar for a night to remember – award winning poets and musicians!
Noel Langley has been at the forefront of the British music scene for nearly thirty years, enjoying a multi-faceted career as a performer, composer, arranger, arranger, producer and bandleader. Here he brings his critically acclaimed project EDENTIDE to the Vortex.
A collaborative big band pairing outward thinking with in-house compositions.
Formed in early 2016, SEED Ensemble is a ten-piece band led by alto saxophonist and composer Cassie Kinoshi.
Vula Viel & Velvet Revolution, both with their unusual line-up, make strong musical statements: the sound is vibrant and at the same time intricate; with a fine sense for subtle nuances and yet delivered with verve, occasionally even with force.
Emilia Martensson (Vocalist of the year- Parliamentary Jazz Awards 2016) with Swedish harmonica sensation Filip Jers. Launching a new project together with Music Centrum Öst, EFG London Jazz Festival and The Vortex Jazz Club.
Some of the finest from the world of free improvisation led by guitarist John Russell
An adventurous jazz group formed by four of the most distinctive jazz musicians and composers in the UK.
‘If you don’t like this you don’t deserve ears.’ VOX
The first of two Saturday afternoon sessions showcasing the future stars of jazz, this time featuring NYJO London.
A special late night offering featuring Anthony Pinciotti (drums), Luca Boscagin (guitar) Andrea Di Biase (double Bass). Jazz Travellers start their journey on Wednesday 16 November from New York City with…
To open our fantastic EFG LJF programme, Nikki Iles presents for the first time a brand new large ensemble project featuring a handpicked line-up of old friends and new, to perform works by inspirational female composers.
Evan Parker and John Edwards will be joined by legendary Chicago drummer Avreeayl Ra for two sets of ecstatic music making.
Germana Stella La Sorsa – vocals Joe Boyle – double bass Sam Leak – piano Dave Storey – drums Born from the meeting of the English double bass player Joe…
The Sam Leak Trio perform contemporary jazz with a gospel-tinged, folk-inspired, freedom and abandon. “Adrift” has been described as “compelling,” and “entirely gripping from beginning to end.”
The core team consists of Orphy Robinson, Cleveland Watkiss, Tori Handsley and Paul Bradshaw who are joined by an array of guests. You never know who’s going to drop in.…
Venerable leader Chris Laurence on bass, ‘master storyteller’ John Parricelli on guitar, ‘Wizard of the vibes’ Frank Ricotti and ‘marking time’ on drums, the swinging Martin France.
Real Oddity presents: Sawa Manga + Passenger Casanova w/ Tim Garcia (Musica Macondo) till 2am
“Something fresh from Roller Trio…electronics is now part of the arsenal of the band and they get creative with it…on the anthem track Mad Dryad.” Julian Joseph BBC RADIO 3
” this third Roller album demonstrates moments of captivating dynamism and haunting beauty…such an innovative and iconoclastic band…” ALL ABOUT JAZZ
“New Devices” lives up to its name with the members of Roller Trio embracing technology to expand the group’s sound, and doing so imaginatively and intelligently.” THE JAZZMANN
ARQ: Winners of ‘Jazz Ensemble of the Year’ in the 2018 Parliamentary Jazz Awards, composer and bass player Alison Rayner’s creative, contemporary quintet. ‘Inventive, vibrantly colourful and unfailingly melodic, possessed of a strong sense of narrative and cinematic quality’ (the jazzman.com)
Riley Stone-Lonergan Quartet Riley Stone-Lonergan – Tenor Rick Simpson – Piano Tim Thornton – Bass Will Glaser – Drums UK-based Irishman Riley Stone-Lonergan started working as a professional musician in…
Fred Thomas turns his fertile mind to the music of Richard Wagner, ahead of the launch of a new album on Babel. He himself plays bass and includes clarinettist and…
Guitarist Preston, bassist Lowe team up with master drummer Asaf Sirkis in a new line-up
Stephan Crump’s Rhombal quartet performs a body of original work devoted to his late brother Patrick.
Calum Gourlay – Double Bass Martin Speake – Saxophone Hans Koller – Euphonium/Piano Dave Ingamells – Drums Thelonious formed in 2015 to study and play the music of one…
Modern original Jazz music from rising star alto saxophonist George Winstone. Featuring Tom Farmer (bass), Jamie Murray (drums), Jamie Horowitz (guitar).
Tonight as part of the series two bands will be performing TreeClimbers (Royal Academy of Music) and Maria Chiara Argirò Quintet (Middlesex). Hope to see you there!
The Darkening Blue, led by American trumpeter and composer Andre Canniere, will perform new music inspired by selected works of UK based poets Malika Booker and Rebecca Lynch.
This quintet from Dublin has a refreshing new sound that combines various styles such as hip-hop, classical, electronica, north Indian classical, grunge and modern jazz with powerful improvisation.
Treppenwitz is dedicated to a familial approach to improvised music. The central philosophy is that all music is related, outgrowths from the same seed; passages of explorative beauty and space sit alongside energetic bursts of freedom. Compositions are contributed by the members, with something open-ended deliberately in mind; the shapes and contours of the music develop organically, different every time, always seeking.
“Right now, she is at the peak of her form…there is no jazz singer in the country to touch her”.
“The LJO took great music and made it even greater”.
Jon Collins brings his London Electric Blues experience to the Vortex Downstairs for an unforgettable evening of live music.
Alto-sax master Tony Kofi fronts this loving celebration of the jazz giant (in every sense) Julian ‘Cannnonball’ Adderley. With Andy Davies on cornet, Alex Webb (piano), Andy Cleyndert (bass) and Alfonso Vitale (drums)…
Sean Payne Quartet Sean Payne – Saxophone Kit Downes – Piano Freddie Jensen – Bass James Maddren – Drums After recently recording and touring extensively with the new Clark Tracey…
Words & Jazz offers the BEST in contemporary poetry and jazz – this October we have hugely talented poets and musicians for your delectation! Come and have a cocktail in the cosy bar and be part of this ‘outstanding summit between contemporary poets and musicians’ (The Independent)
Not one to be missed
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the arrival of people from various Caribbean islands that were then British colonies and part of the British Empire. The name Windrush comes…
Autumn blues? Come to Words & Jazz for a warm cosy night celebrating the BEST contemporary poetry and jazz
Acclaimed cellist draws together jazz and influences from around the world with her new album featuring John Crawford on piano, and Demi Garcia Sabat on percussion, plus special guests.
MS MAURICE ALSO KNOWN AS SHEILA MAURICE-GREY IS A LONDON BASED TRUMPETER, VOCALIST AND VISUAL ARTIST
“Chanda Rule is the most amazing, elegant, fascinating, all in all greatest singer is saw in the last 30 or 40 years, and I saw them all” (pianist Kirk Lightsey) Ahead of the launch of a new album on PAO/Babel.
Blues and Roots Ensemble perform modern adaptations arrangements of classic and lesser known Charles Mingus compositions.
Welcoming in the Winter season with a stunning international line up of four sets, featuring some of the finest music from the world of free improvisation Line up Alex Maguire…
Clark Tracey leads his new quintet playing modern jazz with energy and pleasure, involving BBC Young Jazz Musician Alexandra Ridout and saxophonist Sean Payne
A celebration of Black History Month featuring the best in 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s Windrush reggae and soul. Hosted by DJ Judith Jacob and DJ Saphhire.