Sam Leak Big Band among extra Vortex London Jazz Fest nights
Wednesday, November 16, 2016
The Vortex, Dalston's go-to jazz venue, has an additional 14 gigs taking place as part of its already busy EFG London Jazz Festival programme – which began last Friday and concludes this coming Sunday, 20 November.
Tonight sees acclaimed Mercury Prize nominated pianist Kit Downes perform with his compelling new Anglo-Scandinavian trio Enemy, featuring Norwegian bassist Petter Eldh and drummer James Maddren, all playing music from their forthcoming album on Edition next year. They play a double bill with fellow piano trio Medusa Beats, featuring Eldh once more on bass, French pianist Benoit Delbecq and drummer Jonas Burgwinkel.
Other forthcoming highlights include a Loop Club Night (Thursday 17 Nov), featuring danceable and experimental sounds from the likes of Fafoulah Sound System, Leafcutter John and Dan Nicholls/Alex Bonney, while Friday features a jazztronica double bill featuring trumpeter Rory Simmons' Monocled Man and Rae Forrest featuring singer Paula Rae Gibson (18 Nov). The latter group also features keyboardist Sam Leak, who appears for a special midnight gig later that night with his Big Band (pictured top), which includes leading London-based players Sam Mayne, George Crowley, Robbie Robson, Tom White, Calum Gourlay and Jon Scott among others (18 Nov).
The weekend continues with a triple bill of rising star pianist Eve Risser, the Phil Robson Organ Trio and adventurous piano virtuoso Brunon Heinen (19 Nov), while London's longest running improv music night Mopomoso rounds off the club's main programme in fiery, freewheeling style (20 Nov).
The additional shows announced take over the club's downstairs café bar and include performances at 6pm from: Some Things with Chris Dowding, Ben Higham (18 Nov); Niklas Winter/Henry Lowther/Dave Green/Paul Clarvis (16 Nov) and Thelonious featuring Hans Koller, Martin Speake, Calum Gourlay (19 and 20 Nov). There are further late-night sessions from 11.30pm: Bruno Heinen's Jazz2RockSteady with special guests including Rachael Cohen (19 Nov, free entry); Kindling Trio with guitarist Dan Messore (18 Nov); Loop Late including Wolf Off and more (19 Nov) and the Vortex Jam session led by guitarist Hannes Riepler (20 Nov, from 9pm, free entry).
– Miike Flynn
For more info visit www.vortexjazz.co.uk