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The customers are appreciative although David sometimes has to restrain
well-meaning people who try to buy the band a drink and plonk beer-filled glasses on top
of the £30,000 Steinway piano. The acoustics at the Vortex are also extremely good,
another attraction for musicians.
BBC radio carried a series of broadcasts 'Live at the Vortex.' David's main aim has been
to feature British musicians whenever possible. These have included John Dankworth, Kenny
Wheeler, Claire Martin, Carol Grimes, Stan Tracey, Peter King, Django Bates, Andy Shepherd
and many more.
One favourite is the singer Ian Shaw who also possesses a wicked sense of humour. The
local Fire Brigade decided to inspect the club's wiring during one of his performances. As
the uniformed men came through the door he began to sing 'I in if they have a night off
from their regular tours. They receive generous funding from their governments and are
happy to play the Vortex for little or nothing. David says tongue in cheek that
sometimes he would barely be able to pay their fare on the 73 bus from the West End.
Times are changing. A lifeline has been thrown to the Vortex by the National Lottery, the
Arts Council and Hackney Council. A large building opposite the Town Hall in Mare Street
has been given by the Council to the Ocean Trust. Lottery and Arts Council money should
ensure that it becomes one of London's finest music venues. It will contain an 1,800
seater auditorium for all types of concerts, a studio club for specialist music and the
new Vortex. This will have 300 seats and a modern dance floor for the type of jazz, jump
jive and big band music suitable for dancing.
Don't Want To Set The World On Fire' and got the audience to join in. Another night the
nearby pub was emptying and a group of none too sober men stood on the pavement opposite
and started to sing along. He went to the open window, beckoned them up, ushered them onto
the stage and completed his number backed by the pub choir.
Tina May completed a whole set by candlelight and without amplification after one of
Church Street's many road diggers had managed to cut off the club's electricity. David
says it was one of the best evenings.
American musicians have also performed. Barney Kessel, one of the world's most famous
guitarists, packed the club. Many customers brought their old vinyl LPs along for him to
sign. Mal Waldron, Billie Holliday's pianist, has visited several times. Buddy de Franco
(clarinet) and Terry Gibbs (vibes/piano) were very popular. Top Europeans often drop It
will open in September 2000. The old club room in Church Street will become a modern bar
with comfortable low level sofas and tables. There will be some live music and DJs. The
bookshop will continue. David is frank. The Vortex lease would have expired in three years
time and he could not have afforded to renew it as a jazz club. However he is extremely
optimistic about his new venture, as public transport to Mare Street is much better than
to Church Street. The new building will be superb and the musicians have assured him of
their support.
That should be of some comfort to those in Stoke Newington who will miss the Vortex and
who may regret they did not visit it more often. Nonetheless it is better to have a
successful club a short distance away than one on the doorstep under threat of closure. We
look forward to the new Vortex at the Ocean. Duke Ellington's 'A Train' won't get us there
but the 106 bus just might.
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