Live Jazz in London

An exciting new voice on the UK jazz scene introduced to us by Claire Martin OBE – herself recognised as one of the world’s top jazz singers Maddie Martin is known for her distinctive “old soul” tone and gift for storytelling. A graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, she brings a strong technical foundation to her approach, along with an affection for a wide range of styles including soul, blues, the Great American Songbook and contemporary jazz. Her influences, from Nancy Wilson, Karen Carpenter and Ella Fitzgerald to Carmen McRae and Barbra Streisand exemplify that same aesthetic. A couple of months ago Maddie made her debut at the 606, celebrating the release of her debut single, “Dream Boy”, the first track from her forthcoming album, “Part One”. Now, for her second date we are delighted to welcome this excellent young singer and her quintet, Columbus Sandor piano, Joe Evans trombone, Guy Dempsey bass and Kai Macrae drums performing music from her forthcoming record alongside new live repertoire. Truly impressive stuff! “Maddie Martin is the real thing! An authentic young jazz singer with tone and time for days.” James McMillan; “Her voice and phrasing are the best we’ve heard for some time, and she has won accolades from top professionals.” Swanage Jazz Festival 2025; "...a star in the making. As soon as I heard her, I knew she was special. She has a warmth and beauty in her voice.” Claire Martin OBE

Doors 6:45 PM, Music 7:15 PM - 1 set of music Line-up: Lauren Breen - Alto saxophone Christ-Stéphane Boizi - Trombone Tom Sheen - Double bass Oscar Brady - Piano Miranda Radford - Drum kit About: Lauren Breen and Christ-Stéphane Boizi are both composers and improvisers in their own right, and now this dynamic duo have joined forces to lead a new and up-coming band. They have performed together for years in Christ-Stéphane’s sextet, however, this new project showcases both Breen and Boizi’s compositions, alongside a killing young rhythm section. In previous projects they have played at venues such as Pizza Express Soho, the Elgar Room (the Royal Albert Hall) and the Jazz Cafe, and their years of friendship and sharing the stage, really comes through in their frontline playing. Breen’s powerful and bright tone blends beautifully with Boizi’s warm, soulful sound, creating an iconic and exciting hardbop frontline. They both met at Tomorrow's Warriors and have continued studying together at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, where they are in their final year. Lauren Breen is an exciting up-coming alto saxophonist who draws inspiration from a lineage of powerful and dynamic alto players, including Cannonball Adderley, Jackie McLean, and Vincent Herring. These figures, as well as learning from Tony Kofi, Rachel Cohen and Jean Toussaint, have played a significant role in her growth as both an improviser and a composer, enabling her to project a rich sound over her swinging contemporary compositions, which have a hard-bop style. She is already a part of London’s vibrant Jazz scene, and has performed at Brick Lane Jazz Festival, Pizza Express Live Soho and the Jazz Cafe, to name a few. An exciting new voice on the London Jazz scene, Christ-Stéphane Boizi’s music is at once a vibrant celebration of Jazz’s great past, very much in the present and looking to the future. Notable for his inquisitive studious approach, relaxed poise and warm leadership, Boizi is a student of melody, harmony, rhythm and soul, striving to hone in on what makes the work of greats from across the rich history of jazz so powerful, and to apply these learnings in his own music. He has learnt from the great Byron Wallen, Trevor Mires and Winston Rollins. [embed]https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlIee2NaEJpQqgYHiQ44uZExJx3Ezor1w&si=klY4DvWCUYt0mOPq[/embed]

Timings: 1st Show Doors 7:00 PM, Music 7:30 PM – 1 set of music 2nd Show Doors 9:00 PM, Music 9:30 PM – 1 set of music Line-up: Chris Outhwaite - Piano Aleks Dimitrova - Double bass Miranda Radford - Drum kit Ollie Kelly - Alto Saxophone Emma Jackson - Tenor Saxophone Noah Black - Saxophone Diggory Keysr - Trumpet Louis Lodder - French horn Misha Fox - trombone Charlie Mellon - trombone About: Tony Kofi, a renowned saxophonist, composer, and educator, began his recording career with a tribute to the legendary jazz pianist and composer Thelonious Monk, releasing the double award-winning album All Is Know. He will appear with his Tentet at the Vortex, performing the 1959 classic Thelonious Monk Orchestra at Town Hall performing compositions such as Friday 13th, Thelonious, Crepuscule with Nellie and Little Rootie Tootie, alongside a selection of other Monk compositions. The ensemble showcases some of the UK’s most exciting emerging jazz talent, featuring Chris Outhwaite (piano), Aleks Dimitrova (double bass), Miranda Radford (drums), and Louis Lodder (French horn). [embed]https://youtu.be/cd5rGoDqTyE?si=Yhg9gdcVyW9cjgPH[/embed]

Fri, Jul 24, 7:45 PM

Mark Kavuma Quintet

Vortex Jazz Club / Dalston / Map

Doors 7:45 PM, Music 8:30 PM - 2 sets of music Line-up: Mark Kavuma - Trumpet Noah Stoneman - Piano Jack Thomas - Drum kit Wilf Diamond - trombone TBC - Double bass About: Named Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year at the Jazz FM Awards 2025, trumpeter, composer and bandleader Mark Kavuma has become one of the defining voices in contemporary British jazz. Renowned for his work with The Banger Factory—winner of Ensemble of the Year at the Parliamentary Jazz Awards 2025—and for nurturing emerging talent through Banger Factory Records, Kavuma's music combines deep swing, soulful lyricism and a strong sense of community. This performance marks the debut of a brand-new quintet, presenting new compositions and a new musical direction. The quintet promises an evening of adventurous improvisation, compelling melodies and collective expression. Join Mark Kavuma and his new quintet for their very first outing at the Vortex.

Doors 7:45 PM, Music 8:30 PM - 2 set(s) of music Line-up: Dave Sear - Trombone Percy Pursglove - Trumpet Riley Stone-Lonergan - Tenor Saxophone Olly Chalk - Piano James Owston - Double bass Jonathan Silk - Drum kit About: Dave Sear is pushing the envelope for jazz trombone in the UK, and is a regular sight on gigs throughout a multitude of genres. In January 2021 Dave became an official artist for B.A.C trombones and in 2022 he joined the faculty at Birmingham Conservatoire teaching jazz trombone, alongside releasing his debut album - rated 5* BBC Music. "You've got a great sound, and you've got great technique" Elliot Mason (Jazz at Lincoln Centre Orchestra) [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHNPoPC0AVY[/embed]