Afternoon:
14°c
NEW: Taxpayers have been handed a £143,000 bill for protecting BNP leader Nick Griffin during his appearance on Question Time, it has emerged
More...
An awesome and ridiculous film that leaves you thrilled beyond the point of your natural endurance
2012
Theatre
The show has suddenly become quite wonderful, and the galvanising factor is the terrific stage debut of Melanie C
Blood Brothers
Music
The British pop music industry may be eating itself but if Muse are the pick of what it can offer the world in 2010 then British music is in rude health indeed
Muse
I was smitten by both Gilberts enormous luxuriant moustache and the intelligence and nuance of this highly entertaining play
I totally recommend Babbo to anyone who is looking for really good and traditional Italian food
Always been a fan but never seen them live. I was ecstatic to be part of this epic event. WOW!
London,
Jack Massarik's rating
Reader rating
Description: The Danish percussionist links up with the experimental ensemble playing the compositions of bandleader Helge Sunde.
Phone: 0207254 4097
Website: www.vortexjazz.co.uk
Email: info@vortexjazz.co.uk
Trains: Tube: Highbury & Islington 
, Tube / Bus: 30, 38, 56, 67, 76, 149, 243, 277, N38, N149, N243 
Extra info: Air Conditioning, Pub
Top of the game: Marilyn Mazur performed with Ensemble Denada
Scandanavian musicians love touring southern Europe. “Everything outside Norway is cheaper and warmer,” explained trombonist Helge Sunde, whose roving band arrived here last night.
This is one of the most versatile, high-spirited and original 16‑piece bands heard in London for years. As they strode to the bandstand, playing spiky counterpoint, an evening of free-form New Orleans beckoned. Moments later their four saxes, three trumpets and three trombones punched out meaty ensembles with the precision of a top Las Vegas showband.
Equally remarkable was that their two star players were both women, Russian pianist Olga Konkova and Danish percussionist Marilyn Mazur. Konkova has fine albums to her name and Mazur toured with Miles Davis but both were content to be gleaming cogs in a luxurious machine.
Highlights included a resonant duet by bassist Per Mathisen and bass-saxman Steffen Schorn, Jens Thoresen’s guitar solo on a beautiful Norwegian folk song, Mazur’s joyfully ringing her bells and gongs on Small Landscape, and Finding Nymo, a feature for two sax-playing brothers of that name. They are in Vienna tonight, but somebody should bring them back to Ronnie Scott’s for a week, or hustle them into November’s London Jazz Festival at the expense of some untalented, depressing group doubtless lying in wait.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
