A monthly series of gigs for recent London jazz graduates at the Vortex.  Newly graduated jazz musicians may be overwhelmed at how to take their first independent steps as professional musicians. To help with this we at the Vortex are delighted to announce the Whirlpool Series, a monthly series of gigs showcasing new music by recent graduates. Giving chances to develop a bit faster. The series takes its name from the tune (and album) by John Taylor, one of the leading jazz pianists and educators this country has produced. It has been set up in collaboration with the course heads from the ..read more

Each month, we offer the artists programmed at the club to share what they’ve been listening to/music they really love. This playlist is available on Spotify and played at the club every night before the gig and between sets.     Silvia Leonzio’s picks John Coltrane – Say It (Over and Over Again) Wayne Shorter – Lady Day   Adam Watts’s picks The Smile – Teleharmonic Young Gun Silver Fox – West Side Jet Dom Pusey – Perpetual Emotion Machine Dave Douglas – Take The A Train   Deschanel Gordon’ picks D’Angelo – I’ve found my smile again Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers ..read more

  “Every year, to celebrate International Women’s Day, I create a playlist of composers I love. These are geniuses I am constantly inspired by. This year playlist is titled Weave A Matriarchal Dome, a phrase from Björk’s song Future Forever. To me weaving a matriarchal dome means changing the perspective and creating a society that values the empowerment of all and builds future scenarios in balance with nature. Spotify and big streaming giants don’t care about these futures, but we artists do. So let the playlist be a starting point to then go buy the music of the artists you love.” Madd ..read more

Oliver Weindling writes: Martin Davidson, who died just before Christmas aged 81, was a hero for this music. Perhaps not so famous as a name, but many who love improvised music will have a release that he was associated with, because he founded the Emanem label. Over 200 releases plus another 80 from Evan Parker’s Psi label which he helped run. We celebrated his departure from the UK to Spain a few years back with a party. Now we had to celebrate his own departure from this world. The list of releases is mouthwatering. And he resurrected some important albums, such as Karyobin from 1968, as we ..read more

Oliver Weindling writes: Jon RB was a very special person for our jazz community. Jazz seemed to keep him going (as well as good beer). I first met him in the early 90s, when, as a motor bike messenger, he regularly turned up to gigs by Billy Jenkins. I then lost track of him until, after the Vortex moved to Dalston, he signed up as a volunteer.  For many years he would be found at the club almost every other day. Behind the bar, nurturing our collection. “Cold beers to the left” is a motto that we continue to follow today. He grumbled when we ordered beers from Inbev or other majors but ..read more

  Each month, we offer the artists programmed at the club to share what they’ve been listening to/music they really love. This playlist is available on Spotify and played at the club every night before the gig and between sets.     Jean de Talhouët’s (ONMO) picks Daniel Santiago and Pedro Martins – Distância David Preston – Cassino Dream Madison Cunningham – Pin it Down Keith Jarret – Spirits 15   Bruno Heinen’s picks ESKA – Shades of Blue Dorothy Ashby – Myself When Young Maria Chiara Argirò – Clouds Ernest Ranglin – Minuit Yusef Lateef – Prayer   Sultan St ..read more

Gboyega Odubanjo (1997-2023) and Katya Kan (1988-2023)   Poet Gboyega Odubanjo tragically died in early September 2023. He was known to us at the Vortex, through his performances downstairs and working with Raph Clarkson’s group Resolute (which also included Phil Merriman and Simon Roth) and artist Aurelie Freoua. He was a force of nature – astute and perceptive, way beyond his years!    Raph Clarkson writes:   “I first met Gboyega, known to me/us as Bo, at the Vortex Downstairs space- he was participating in a workshop around spoken word connecting with improvised music ..read more

Gboyega Odubanjo (1997-2023) and Katya Kan (1988-2023)   Poet Gboyega Odubanjo tragically died in early September 2023. He was known to us at the Vortex, through his performances downstairs and working with Raph Clarkson’s group Resolute (which also included Phil Merriman and Simon Roth) and artist Aurelie Freoua. He was a force of nature – astute and perceptive, way beyond his years!    Raph Clarkson writes:   “I first met Gboyega, known to me/us as Bo, at the Vortex Downstairs space- he was participating in a workshop around spoken word connecting with improvised music ..read more

  Each month, we offer the artists programmed at the club to share what they’ve been listening to/music they really love. This playlist is available on Spotify and played at the club every night before the gig and between sets. This summer playlist also includes a few new tracks from artists performing at the club in July and August.      Alex Webb’s picks Jazzmeia Horn – The Peacocks Sara Dowling – Passed Me By Cecile McLorin Salvant – Until Joel Ross – The Parable of the Poet   Phil Robson’s picks Benoît Delbecq – The Loop of Chicago Laura Schuler – When Everyt ..read more

COMING UP AT THE VORTEX!  FRIDAY 21 APRIL – THURSDAY 27 APRIL To enjoy jazz in general, and at the Vortex in particular, is an adventure. The musicians are like mountain guides. They’re leading us up what would be impossible journeys to undertake on our own – in new directions and giving us new experiences. And always safely and memorably! The coming week is exactly like that in so many ways… For example, we have the chance to discover old friends in new collaborations, such as Martin Speake with Alcyona Mick on ..read more