Ingrid Jensen, Ben Wendel and Fini Bearman for Vortex Jazz Club Crowdfunder
Tuesday, July 14, 2020
London’s Vortex jazz club – a bastion of world-class, cutting-edge jazz – is hosting a series of gigs to raise funds to ensure its future
Since opening its doors in 1987 in its original Stoke Newington locale, the Vortex has been an essential part of the fabric of the UK and indeed, international, jazz scenes. Having moved to its current home of Gillett Square, Dalston, in 2006 the club has continued to present live jazz seven nights a week with a vibrant mix of emerging UK talent, and heavyweight bands from the US and Europe, as well as regular monthly gigs by local heroes such as Brit-jazz sax don Evan Parker, and even former Miles Davis bass star Dave Holland. He says of the venue’s place in the UK jazz scene: “The Vortex Jazz Club has a vital role in nurturing creative music and providing a venue where a diverse community of musicians can share their music with the public.”
Likewise, saxophonist Parker cherishes the club’s unique atmosphere, saying it’s “my haven from the demands of the road… the Vortex is for me, a space to play ‘free jazz’. I cannot imagine life without it.” Award-winning vocalist Ian Shaw, also a regular at the club, also pays tribute to its significance among other jazz venues: “The Vortex is this little club that presents the biggest, widest flavours of all music doggedly; with adventure and a deep sense of commitment to musicians. I’ve never known a venue in 35 years that has been so important. Save the Vortex. It’s a wonderful place to be.”
Now facing tough financial times the club has started a Crowdfunder campaign with a wide range of jazz names performing live from their homes to save the venue from closure, in a series of monthly livestreamed gigs. The first name announced including vocalist Fini Bearman (16 July), top-US saxophonist Ben Wendel (18 July), virtuoso pianist Tom Cawley (20 July) renowned Scottish bassist Calum Gourlay (23 July), leading Canadian trumpeter Ingrid Jensen (25 July) and fine UK pianist Rick Simpson (30 July).
Further dates will be announced for August on the Vortex website.
For more info visit: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/save-the-vortex
