Welcoming in the Winter season with a stunning international line up of four sets, featuring some of the finest music from the world of free improvisation from around the world. Alex Maguire (piano) & Simon Picard (sax) A deeply rooted sense of harmony and melody are tightly locked into the improvisations from this respected and much loved duo. Delighted to have them on a return visit to Mopomoso. Yoko Miura (piano), Stefan Keune (sax) & Mia Zabelka (violin) We play host to a first time meeting for this international trio coming here from Germany, Japan and Austria.

A continuing series featuring some of the finest from the world of free improvisation. Three very different sets illustrating some of the constant delights to be found in free improvisation. Do come and give your ears a treat!

Fête Quaqua 2018 19th – 21st August Put together each year by guitarist John Russell Fête Quaqua aims for old friends to get together and meet new ones in an atmosphere of in the moment, never to be repeated, musical invention. Free improvisation is unique in that the audience and musicians discover the music at the same time and this makes for a genuine engagement with the creative process. The musicians taking part this year come from a mix of backgrounds and experiences which should lead to some very exciting exchanges.

As part of its ‘Afternoon Sessions’ Mopomoso presents three contrasting duos of freely improvised music. Paul Pignon (clarinet, bass clarinet) & Richard Sanderson (amplified melodeon) Based in Sweden, Paul Pignon has been involved with improvised music since the 1960s. He is joined by Linear Obsessional founder and head man Richard Sanderson. Noel Meek (electronics) & Alan Wilkinson (sax) duo New Zealander Noel Meek brings his special blend of electronics to bear on the colossal saxophone of Flim Flam boss Alan Wilkinson.

A continuing series featuring some of the best from the world of free improvisation Bouche Bée – John Eyles (alto saxophone), Petri Huurinainen (guitar) & Emmanuelle Waeckerlé (voice) Bouche Bée (the name is a French expression meaning “open-mouthed” or “speechless”) was formed in 2005 by vocalist Emmanuelle Waeckerlé and guitarist Petri Huurinainen. Music-writer and saxophonist John Eyles joined in the Spring of 2017. Three individual voices listening and responding together shape Bouche Bée music.

The very best from the world of improvised music in the intimate setting of “London’s listening Jazz club” Sylvia Hallett (violin) & Ian McGowan (trumpet) Two much loved figures on the London free improvisation scene both Sylvia and Ian display a real love of play within their music. Sometimes letting the music run ahead, sometimes reacting in a split second, they maintain a constant creative vigilance and a deep sense of musicality.

Three contrasting sets showing the diversity to be found in the world of free improvisation in the friendly intimacy of London’s famous “listening Jazz club”. Michael Giaquinto (e.bass), Chris Hill (clarinet/electronics/amplified objects) & Alec Kronacker (e.guitar) DiscountGnostic was set up by Chris Hill (clarinet, soprano saxophone and amplified objects) as a recording vehicle to explore the potential of sound art, namely field recordings and sound manipulation along with live improvised material, as artistic practice.

Three contrasting sets to delight and inspire in the relaxed and intimate listening environment of the world famous Vortex Jazz club. Free improvisation is one of the true jewels in today’s contemporary cultural life and one where the musicians share the discovery of the music at the same time as the audience. The monthly Sunday afternoon sessions are a great way to enjoy the music in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.

CRUSH!!! CRUSH!!! are Sonic Pleasure, Mark Browne and Ian Smith. The group utilises a vast array of found and home-made sound making devices combined with more traditional instruments. Sonic Pleasure is famed for her unique crafting of sound from bricks and masonry, reducing much of her instrumentation to dust by the end of a concert. Mark Browne plays castrato saxophone, broken glass, percussion, whistles and bones. Ian Smith will play trumpet in an extraordinary manner.

Jim Dvorak & Harrison Smith A long established and highly respected partnership, Harrison Smith’s first public outings were with the Herrington Colliery band in Durham, leading to later experiences in dance bands and soul/rock groups around the North East of England, whereas Jim Dvorak (great nephew of the composer Antonin) hails from Brooklyn, where he took private tuition, before graduating from the prestigious Eastman school of music. From such different beginnings, and following a shared interest in improvising, the two musicians ended up in London in the late sixties / early seventies as collaborators in some of the leading groups of the time.

The Mopomoso end of year show! It’s that time of year again and Mopomoso celebrates all things improvised with our annual extravaganza at the Vortex. As in previous years the number of performers gets added to up until the day itself but typically we expect around 50 musicians playing short sets of 5 – 10 minutes or so. A great way to check out the vibrancy of the London free improvisation scene and see old friends and make new ones in an informal and friendly atmosphere.

Mopomoso special as part of The London Jazz Festival THE WORKSHOP INVITES Formed in 2016 to mark the 25th anniversary of the first Mopomoso concerts the Mopomoso workshops have continued each week in London’s West End. Guests are invited to take part in a monthly concert open to the public and for this special show the workshop takes over Mopomoso’s regular afternoon slot at the Vortex to present a diverse and engaging mix of improvised music featuring its members in collaboration with a specially invited group of guests from the wider improvising community.