New jazz improv festival for London at the Vortex
‘Freedom: The Art Of Improvisation' will feature musicians, DJs, spoken word and workshops on June 27th and 28th at the Vortex in Dalston, East London.
A new two day jazz festival has popped up on the London music calendar. ‘Freedom: The Art Of Improvisation Festival’ brings together cutting edge British musicians, DJs, spoken word artists and more at The Vortex in Dalston, East London, on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th June.
Two days of live music, performance, DJ sets and workshops includes flautist Rowland Sutherland and his quartet, saxophonist Tony Kofi and his Sphinx Trio and experimental jazz electronica outfit Black Top, featuring pianist Pat Thomas and vibes player Orphy Robinson. British vocalist Cleveland Watkiss, trumpeter Byron Wallen and poet HKB Finn are amongst the line-up too plus open improv sessions and plenty of special guest appearances. Improvisational composer, arranger and ‘artist musician’ Alison Blunt appears with cellist and pianist Kate Shortt. Throughout the weekend DJs will play spiritual jazz and avant garde in the free-to-access Vortex lower level.
The festival is presented by Warriors International, a collective of musicians derived from the legendary Jazz Warriors. It celebrates and builds on the increasingly strong improv scene that exists in and around venues in Dalston.
For information on individual gig tickets, day tickets and workshops visit the Vortex website.
The festival gets under way with a night of “jazz mind fluid, abstract groove and funkentelechy” called Misterioso at the nearby Brilliant Corners, 470 Kingsland Road, E8, on the evening of Friday June 26th. BBC Jazz on 3 presenter Jez Nelson, Ruth Fisher and Kyri R2 host a night of searching selections only on vinyl. 7pm-1.30am. Entry is free.