Vortex Foundation Big Band - Charybdis

As part of the London Jazz Festival in 2002, the Vortex Foundation Big Band's first gig at the Vortex Jazz Club in London's Stoke Newington was a sell out. The inspiration for this all-female big band (featuring Annie Whitehead, Carol Grimes and Deirdre Cartwright amongst others) came from the Vortex's driving force of over 20 years, David Mossman, whose enthusiasm had overcome all obstacles to make The Vortex a successful and integral part of London's music scene. This album was recorded live at the band's first gig, when nobody was sure of the club's future. It has fortunately now found new premises in Dalston but still needs to raise funds to aid its transfer. This CD is intended as both a fundraising project for this worthy cause but also as a tribute to the unforgettable atmosphere of the Vortex in its original home, which provided nearly 3 generations of jazz musicians a platform to publicly develop their art.