Simon Woolf’s “New Masters” Quintet
The “New Masters” quintet brings together a group of outstanding younger musicians who I met in the main on London’s thriving jam session scene after the Covid curtain lifted in 2021.
The “New Masters” quintet brings together a group of outstanding younger musicians who I met in the main on London’s thriving jam session scene after the Covid curtain lifted in 2021.
LVDF is the new Italy / UK / New Zealand cross cultural collaboration between four artists at the forefront of their respective boundary-pushing jazz scenes, and are excited to celebrate the launch of their debut EP at the Vortex Jazz Club!
Following their packed debut in May, Bone Folder return to the Vortex, this time presenting a set from Cambridge heavy improv trio Welkin.
Saxophonist Jean Toussaint presents a special edition of his quintet JT5.
Since Jean Toussaint Left Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, he hasn’t looked back. Nor has he spent a career trying to repeat the past.
Reimagining jazz repertoire for the 21st century.
A weekly session on Sunday evenings, the jams will be hosted by some of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson, guitarist Nick Costley-White, trumpeter Sean Gibbs and tenor saxophonists Harben Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan (+ sometimes a few guest leaders) each one hosting one session on rotation.
Stan Brunt is an award-winning jazz guitarist, arranger and composer leading a new project which explores the space created by having just guitar as the chordal instrument, focusing heaving on improvisation and textural changes.
Billy Pod is an award-winning Greek drummer/musician based in London. His debut album “Drums to Heal Society” that was released in 2019 has not just given Vasileios Podaras (aka Billy Pod) a prominent position among the new generation of drummers internationally but also demonstrated his compelling skills as a composer and music ensemble director.
Award winning vibraphonist and composer Jonny Mansfield brings his quartet for a special show at the Vortex featuring the incredible Emmanuel Michael.
With the Julian Siegel Quartet, the BBC Jazz Award winning saxophonist and composer Julian Siegel can be heard alongside some of this generation’s most distinctive voices, creating an in-demand Quartet on the UK and European Jazz scene.
Pianist/composer Hans Koller joins forces with double bassist Calum Gourlay, fellow founder member of the Monk repertoire band Thelonious, and with the unique saxophone virtuoso Tony Kofi, plus the amazing young drummer Noah Ojumu in a celebration of the music of Thelonious Monk.
The London Jazz Orchestra, one of London’s musical treasures, opens its 35th season at the Vortex featuring the music of one of the great jazz writers, tenor saxophonist Pete Hurt. A long-serving members of the band, Pete is an outstanding soloist and composer of numerous pieces for the LJO.
A weekly session on Sunday evenings, the jams will be hosted by some of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson, guitarist Nick Costley-White, trumpeter Sean Gibbs and tenor saxophonists Harben Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan (+ sometimes a few guest leaders) each one hosting one session on rotation.
Hong Kong-born jazz guitarist and composer Kurtis Li invites you to an intimate evening at Vortex Jazz Club, featuring selections from his acclaimed debut album In Bloom alongside new original compositions.
Rick Simpson presents his first Piano Trio project. This is a trio that thrives on freedom and interaction. Original tunes and inventive arrangements become launching points for improvisation, with the band slipping effortlessly from one piece into another.
An international quartet composed of four fantastic improvisers.
The trio present a buoyant and elusive jazz, driven by referential investigation and an unorthodox approach to the warp and phase of rhythm.
John Etheridge’s reputation in the jazz world cannot be overstated. A genuinely virtuosic fusion guitarist, Etheridge is one of a handful of players who can claim to have helped shape the character of modern jazz guitar.
A weekly session on Sunday evenings, the jams will be hosted by some of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson, guitarist Nick Costley-White, trumpeter Sean Gibbs and tenor saxophonists Harben Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan (+ sometimes a few guest leaders) each one hosting one session on rotation.
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.
Queer Jazz exists to platform, nurture and celebrate the emerging queer jazz scene. Programmed by Tina Edwards and Arowah, they have put together an exciting monthly programme of innovative LGBTQI+ artists at The Vortex Jazz Club, supported by Arts Council England.
Join us for an unforgettable night of jazz as two of London’s premier saxophonists, Denys Baptiste and Tony Kofi, reunite to present a powerful new project.
The return of legendary British trumpet player Henry Lowther and his ‘Still Waters’ band feat. Pete Hurt (tenor saxophone), Barry Green (piano), Dave Green (double bass) and Paul Clarvis (drums).
This month featuring: Gwendolyn Kassenaar with Hyelim Kim & Maurizio Ravalico + Homecoming: Laure van Minden with Michelle Brace &Chris Dowding + Jakub Rokita, Tomasz Glazik & Viv Corringham
A weekly session on Sunday evenings, the jams will be hosted by some of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson, guitarist Nick Costley-White, trumpeter Sean Gibbs and tenor saxophonists Harben Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan (+ sometimes a few guest leaders) each one hosting one session on rotation.
Cellist, composer and MacArthur Fellow Tomeka Reid explores new improvisational math with 3+3, the third release by her all-star quartet and her most adventurous project as a leader yet. Featuring Jason Roebke on bass, Tomas Fujiwara on drums, and fellow MacArthur Fellow Mary Halvorson on guitar.
Cellist, composer and MacArthur Fellow Tomeka Reid explores new improvisational math with 3+3, the third release by her all-star quartet and her most adventurous project as a leader yet. Featuring Jason Roebke on bass, Tomas Fujiwara on drums, and fellow MacArthur Fellow Mary Halvorson on guitar.
Tonight, Lucid Dreamers are launching their much-anticipated 3rd album. Led by celebrated vocalist Brigitte Beraha, and drawing from jazz, folk, contemporary classical, free improv and electronic sound-worlds, the brilliant quartet improvises with spontaneity and playfulness, using Brigitte’s compositions as a vehicle. Expect exciting grooves and impactful stillness, atmospheric, entrancingly ethereal, drop-dead beautiful music.
Pete Horsfall launches ELECTRIC RELAXATION, his first record on the Banger Factory label, with this special show. Influences from Duke Ellington to MF DOOM collide, in a set that showcases Pete’s deep and explosive engagement with the jazz, classical and hiphop traditions.
Reimagining jazz repertoire for the 21st century.
A weekly session on Sunday evenings, the jams will be hosted by some of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson, guitarist Nick Costley-White, trumpeter Sean Gibbs and tenor saxophonists Harben Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan (+ sometimes a few guest leaders) each one hosting one session on rotation.
Tom Smith is an award-winning saxophonist, composer, and arranger, firmly established within London’s vibrant jazz scene.
Rebecka Edlund & Immy Churchill present 11.02077, a project by the London-based, American songwriter and musician Nina Erickson.
Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, this performance had to be postponed. We hope to announce a new date soon.
New gig confirmed: Ollendorff/Stone-Lonergan/Chaplin/Giles
Four of London’s most in-demand musicians come to The Vortex on Friday 22nd August to present a set of inventive arrangements drawn from the modern jazz tradition. Expect an evening of close interplay and fresh perspectives on well-loved material.
For this appearance, London-based saxophonist and Dankworth Prize-winning composer Matt Anderson will be joined by some of his favourite musicians from the new generation of the London jazz scene, pianist Scottie Thompson and drummer Kai MacRae, alongside his long-time collaborator bassist Will Harris, who is a regular member of the Matt
Anderson Quartet.
New York tap dancer Liberty Styles joins forces with saxophonist Rachael Cohen for a performance bursting with creativity, tradition and spontaneity. An exciting meeting of two artists at the height of their craft.
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, the jams will be hosted by some of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson, guitarist Nick Costley-White, trumpeter Sean Gibbs and tenor saxophonists Harben Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan (+ sometimes a few guest leaders) each one hosting one session on rotation.
This month featuring: Dave Tucker, Alex Ward, Hannah Marshall & Matt Hutchinson + mcddavid & members of mToo – stattwerke international: Matt Clark, Sylvia Hallett, Charlotte Keeffe, Maria Sappho, Paul Jolly, Tim Fletcher, Armin Sturm, Susanna Ferrar, Ulrike Schöller, Jörg Hufschmidt. Expect some surprises!
Quentin Collins Quintet features an All-Star line up of contemporary straight-ahead musicians on the London scene. Featuring regular front line partner and renowned tenor sax tyro Leo Richardson, expect new and old QC originals as well as choice arrangements from the contemporary bop canon, always focusing on tight ensemble playing and swinging grooves.
Heidi Vogel vocalist with The Cinematic Orchestra has performed around the world from The Sydney Opera House to Fuji Rock and Headlining Montreux Jazz festival with Quincy Jones in attendance.
This evening at the Vortex Joy will be performing music from all three of her albums on voice and piano alongside her quartet. She will also be previewing new music from an upcoming release.
Award winning virtuoso jazz guitarist, composer and bandleader Miles Mindlin returns to the Vortex with a group featuring Mejedi Owusu (trumpet), Kai MacRae (drums) and Tom Sheen (double bass).
A weekly session on Sunday evenings, the jams will be hosted by some of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson, guitarist Nick Costley-White, trumpeter Sean Gibbs and tenor saxophonists Harben Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan (+ sometimes a few guest leaders) each one hosting one session on rotation.
Alexandra Ridout, Quinton Cain (NYC) and Freddie Jensen have formed this trio featuring their original music for a tour this summer. Alexandra has been playing with Freddie for the last 10 years and Quinton the last 4 in NYC.
Since returning to the UK Zoe has recorded and toured 4 albums with her partner, multi-award winning guitarist Jim Mullen. The most recent “Somewhere in the Night”.
Our monthly late night series brings together some of the most prominent voices in contemporary songwriting, hosted by Matthew Herd. This month brings together the brilliant folk-tinged Lily Lyons in a rare duo outing with pianist and writer Angus Bayley.
The most intimate version of Billy Marrows’ acclaimed 12-piece chamber-jazz ensemble, the Grande Família Quartet features an unusual line-up of some of London’s finest young jazz musicians.
As soon as Korhan Futacı presses his lips to the saxophone’s mouthpiece, the ritual begins. During his London debut at Vortex as a new resident, the prominent figure of Turkey’s alternative music scene will guide us from the chaos of Istanbul to an uncharted realm. A place filled with vitality but also darkness; fusing traditional Turkish music with free improvisations.
Joe Herbert is a London-based jazz guitarist whose music channels raw spirit, compositional clarity, and unfiltered energy into a sound that’s both deeply personal and explosively alive. In a trio that listens as intently as it plays, Joe finds space to challenge expectations and stretch the language of modern jazz into something raw, honest, and alive.
Ashley Bonfante brings his fun new project to the Vortex for the first time. This exciting group, full of wonderfully creative improvisers at the forefront of the London scene, will be exploring the music of the great Ornette Coleman with some Booker Little, Eric Dolphy, and original compositions thrown in for good measure.
The trio of John Butcher, Mark Wastell, and Luigi Marino first met in 2022 at the chapel of St. Margaret’s House in Bethnal Green, London. Wastell and Marino had begun collaborating in 2018—initially within Mark’s large ensemble The Seen, and later as a parallel duo—focusing on the resonances of metal instruments and a shared sense of 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, the jams will be hosted by some of London’s finest: drummer Jas Kayser, pianist Rick Simpson, guitarist Nick Costley-White, trumpeter Sean Gibbs and tenor saxophonists Harben Kay and Riley Stone-Lonergan (+ sometimes a few guest leaders) each one hosting one session on rotation.
Another night of carefree dancing in the heart of Dalston, swaying to anything from global beat, funk, or electronica as long as it keeps up to the groove.
Noah Stoneman returns to the Vortex with his UK trio to premier brand new music written over the last year in New York. Suprising, dynamic and direct compositions and improvising from these long-time collaborators.
“Elchin Shirinov has developed a sound and approach all his own. His writing and piano playing echo another time, yet resonate with a striking modernity. He truly draws a unique sound from the piano, unlocking a full palette of sonic color. This is music worth exploring deeply.” – Larry Grenadier
Over his career, saxophonist and composer Vaughan Hawthorne-Nelson has crafted an unmistakable sound that is deeply communicative. Tonight he returns to the Vortex for a rare concert from one of most compelling bands on the scene.
Launching their new album ‘It’s about time’ tonight, this electric/acoustic guitar duo play distinctive arrangements of Stevie Wonder, Thelonious Monk & Brazilian classics augmented by Paul Clarvis on drums/percussion.