Warriors International Presents: Freedom
September’s monthly open-minded Freedom Improv session curated by Cleveland Watkiss, Orphy Robinson and Tori Handsley. There’s an opening short set from an ad-hoc ensemble, swiftly followed by constantly shifting sets…
London Jazz Orchestra Vortex Sessions – Kenny Wheeler Feature
‘Long Suite 2005’ just bursts with melodic invention. Kenny Wheeler was a founder member of the orchestra….what was fascinating about this gig was to hear the music start to move away from him.”
Steve Buckley/Gene Calderazzo/Steve Watts
Three of the UK’s finest jazz musicians come together to perform a vibrant mix of free-wheeling classic jazz standards, inspired by and reminiscent of the great Sonny Rollins’ trio. Steve is joined by Steve Watts on bass and Gene Calderazzo on drums.
Tony Kofi and The Organisation
Always a pleasure to have perform at the Vortex, Tony’s mesmerising style and natural flair give pleasure and joy to us all. The origins of the Organisation go back a over…
David Birchall / Andrew Cheetham / Colin Webster / Otto Willberg
Manchester and London based quartet of David Birchall (guitar), Andrew Cheetham (drums), Colin Webster (alto and baritone saxophones), and Otto Willberg (double bass).
‘Elt’ – Ingebjørg Loe Bjørnstad, Tom Challenger, Kit Downes
Unique Norwegian vocalist Ingebjørg Loe Bjørnstad joins the long standing improvising duo of Tom Challenger and Kit Downes as part of the trio ‘Elt’.
Anders Helmerson
The Quantum House Project, jazz/fusion project by Anders Helmerson Trio
Richard Fairhurst
Contemporary jazz trio led by prodigious pianist Richard Fairhurst alongside Dave Whitford and brilliant drummer Tim Giles, their music combines cerebral, lyrical improvisation with high energy grooves.
John Bennett Band
The John Bennett Band is a 15 piece jazz ensemble. The music is structured whilst also allowing for interplay between the musicians. John describes the band as not a “…
Gilad Atzmon plays Coltrane and Parker – 2nd night: Charlie Parker
Gilad Atzmon’s tributes to the music of John Coltrane and Charlie Parker are a labour of love. He is a consummate improviser and uses his great skills to convey this to the audience.
Gilad Atzmon plays Coltrane and Parker – 1st night “The Spirit of Trane”
Gilad Atzmon’s tributes to the music of John Coltrane and Charlie Parker are a labour of love. He is a consummate improviser and uses his great skills to convey this to the audience.
Ray Carless – Windrush Jazz
Ray Carless is a talented Jamaican saxophonist whose musical career spans almost 40 years. He started started out on his musical journey working with a wide variety of pop jazz reggae funk and African bands.
Giulio Romano Quintet
A swinging and groovy night feauturing original music by Italian guitar player Giulio Romano as well as arrangements of legendary standard jazz tunes.
Phaze Theory
Phaze Theory is a London based art-rock band focused exploring the occult traditions of Britain through the poetry of Yeats and Blake particularly. Founded in 2014 by tuba player Christopher…
Aisling Lavelle
Aisling Lavelle – Voice Rick Simpson – Piano Rob Anstey – Bass Sam Jesson – Drums Aisling is a London-based singer/songwriter with a gift for harmony, improvisation and scat. She…
Martin Speake’s Charukesi
Martin’s highly rhythmic groove based project influenced by Indian/ Arabic and Turkish music featuring his own compositions and those of Ramamani from Karntaka College of Percussion.
Real Oddity Presents: Brother’s Testament
Emerging from London’s young Jazz scene, Brother’s Testament fuse Jazz with sounds from Hip-Hop, Funk, Neo-soul, Classical and more…
Time: 8 - 2AM
£8 Early Limited / £10
Tom Ollendorff Quartet ft. Tom Barford, Conor Chaplin
Guitarist Tom is one of the talented young musicians whose careers started in Cardiff. He is regularly to be seen playing with the likes of Huw Warren. He was awarded…
Launch of BLUE SHEILA by Serena Braida
In Blue Sheila (dancing girl press 2018), things can be spoken into existence, or sung. People can conjure up new ways, or exhaust their voices repeating the same thing over and over again. The story of Sheila and her slow-burning emancipation is a performance score. Marcel is violent. Ava is tender and flippant. The chorus reads the news and speaks the jazz tongue. Sheila needs to cross.
Kjetil Mulelid Trio (NO)
KMT is one of Norways most interesting jazz musicians playing modern acoustic jazz. Their music is a mixture of compositions by Mulelid and pure collective improvisations.
Fete Qua Qua (Day 3)
The Line Up over the next three days: Mark Browne (sax / percussion) Phil Durrant (mandolin / electronics) Max Eastley (self made instruments) Sylvia Hallett (violin / electronics) Matt Hutchinson…
Time: 8 - 11PM
£8 / £20 (three day pass)
Fete Qua Qua (DAY 2)
The Line Up over the next three days: Mark Browne (sax / percussion) Phil Durrant (mandolin / electronics) Max Eastley (self made instruments) Sylvia Hallett (violin / electronics) Matt Hutchinson…
Time: 8 - 11PM
£8 / £20 (three day pass)
Fete Qua Qua (Day 1)
An annual gathering of free improvising musicians put together by guitarist John Russell Fête Quaqua aims for old friends to get together and meet new ones in the moment.
Time: 2 - 5.30PM
£8/ (£20 Three day pass)
Georgia Mancio
“[Mancio] has everything covered – technical mastery, expressive range and a remarkable versatility”-The Observer 4****
Downstairs@The Vortex: LEIKA
LEIKA is a rock band influenced by the British post-punk and punk movements. To date, the band has recorded two albums (‘Space on Tuesday’ and ‘Love on the Run’), two singles,…
Evan Parker with Friends
Maestro Evan Parker invites for his monthly residency John Edwards, the master bassist and drummer Roger Turner, known for some of the most imaginative band partnerships of the past 40 years.
Alice Leggett Quartet
The Alice Leggett Quartet features established, London based musicians; Rick Simpson, Calum Gourlay and Will Glaser. They’ll be performing Alice’s compositions and arrangements.
Alex Merritt/Steve Fishwick Quintet
The quintet play nuanced, sophisticated modern jazz originals, hear it just prior to recording later in August.
Warriors International Present Freedom
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. In…
Henry Lowther’s Still Waters
Henry Lowther – Trumpet and flugelhorn Pete Hurt – Tenor saxophone Barry Green – Piano Steve Watts – Bass Paul Clarvis – Drums Henry Lowther’s Still Waters was born out…
Calum Gourlay Big Band (Friday Night Special)
Bassist Calum Gourlay’s big band is a band of energy and joy, having developed over the course of over a year at the Vortex. He brings stunning arrangements and a…
Nim Quartet
‘NIM QUARTET’ is the project of London based bass player Nim Sadot who conjures up a magical mix of instrumental fusion jazz.
Serendip
Serendip is a project led by Arnaud Guichard and explores the meaning of Serendipity through jazz.
Olli Martin Quintet
The Olli Martin Quintet perform original compositions containing strong melodies and catchy grooves that draw upon on a wide range of influences and styles.
Jonny Mansfield Quintet
The Jonny Mansfield Quintet brings musicians together from all over Europe – Spain, Denmark, France and the UK. Expect a night of intricate compositions and exciting improvisations.
In The Moment…
An immersive mix of afro-latin music and dance, fused with House, Funk, Reggae & Hip Hop.
Time: 9 - 2AM
£7 ADV / £10 DOOR
Grand Union Orchestra – Open Workshop
Practical hands-on workshop exploring the musical and religious tradition of Candomblé (West African Yoruba culture as practised in Northeast Brazil), for reasonably able musicians of all ages, led by Ricardo…
GRAND UNION ORCHESTRA – TRADING ROOTS
Featuring Candomblé expert Ricardo Axé (singer/dancer/drummer), South African trumpeter Claude Deppa and Latin percussionist Carlo Fuentes – the last in a series of monthly Friday night performances with outstanding improvising…
Time: 8 - 11PM
£12 ADV
£15 DOOR
JM y Juanin: Los Cracks del Puerto
These gentlemen are the real deal, 75 and 83 years old, they are the historic legacy of the boleros and vals peruanos in Chile, our buena vista … great performers.…
Time: 8 - 11PM
£10 ADV £15 DOOR
Barford/ Hitchcock/ Ireland/ Maddren
Rising star tenor saxophonists Tom Barford and Alex Hitchcock are joined by a powerhouse rhythm section of Ferg Ireland (bass) and James Maddren (drums).
Carol Grimes – CANCELLED DUE TO ILLNESS
Carol Grimes – Voice Annie Whitehead – Trombone Jessica Lauren – Keyboards Winston Clifford – Drums Alison Rayner – Double Bass Grimes has a fascinating story to tell. She…
Annie Whitehead’s World Music Workshop Band
Exciting sounds of jazz, afrobeat, blues and latin tunes.
Maurizio Grondona Group
Refined, soulful, captivating…these are a few words fans use to describe the inspired contemporary jazz group from Bari, Italy.
Bruno Heinen Quintet
Bruno Heinen’s forward-looking quintet featuring James Copus and Rachael Cohen – “eclectic, eccentric, and unobtrusively erudite” – Guardian
Perpetual Motion Machine
Steadily building a following as it travels around the UK, The Perpetual Motion Machine blends improvisational rock with jazz, surrounding listeners with its stereoscopic twin guitar/twin tenor sound.
Tom Ridout Quintet
The Quintet play a mix of originals and arrangements by Tom, including tracks from his debut album “No Excuses” which launched to a sell-out crowd at the Vortex in January.
John Etheridge and Vimala Rowe
Legendary English guitarist brings sensational new vocal star Vimala Rowe to the Vortex for an evening of passion and soul. John will play some of his celebrated solo set and…
Sorin Zlat Trio-“The Land of Dreams”
Virtuoso pianist Sorin Zlat returns to Vortex with Mikele Montolli on double bass and Andy Trim on drums. The trio will present in the concert new composition that will be on the new released cd.
JEAN-MICHEL BLAIS: DANS MA MAIN (extra night)
Jean-Michel Blais Dans ma main Dans ma main, the sophomore release by pianist and composer Jean-Michel Blais, is an expansive album of post-classical piano with strands of electronic detail.…