Advertisement
Advertisement

Queer jazz takes up residency in Dalston

Not a new musical sub-genre, but an Arts Council funded organisation in north London, Queer Jazz aims to promote LGBTQIA+ jazz performers

Claiming that “most jazz fans would struggle to name more than a few queer jazz musicians throughout the entire genre’s history”, the London-based LGBTQIA+ collective Queer Jazz aims to “amplify and highlight queer artistry in the jazz world”. To that end, and holding that “jazz has long been a space for innovation, freedom, and self-expression; a scene that celebrates diverse identities, including queer experiences” it has, with the help of the Arts Council and the National Lottery, organised monthly gigs at the Vortex jazz club from February to July 2025.

Although a bearded drag-queen won the Eurovision song contest as long ago as 2014, Queer Jazz say the 2023 LGBTQ Musicians Insight Report shows queer musicians are struggling in the music industry, facing discrimination, mental health issues and lower pay. According to the report, only 32% of trans musicians feel safe enough to be open with their colleagues about their gender identity, 43% of LGBTQIA+ musicians report poor mental wellbeing and 30% report poor physical wellbeing.

- Advertisement -

The organisers don’t suggest that jazz of the queer variety entails any specific style or stylistic innovation; rather, they say, they aim to raise visibility and build community among queer performers, uniting them in a “celebratory space where they can exist and perform authentically”.

Artists programmed include Matters Unknown, a UK debut from Swiss band KNOBIL, pioneering collective Peng Femme Jam, soulful singer-songwriter Maya Law and Jessica Lauren who will be presenting a performance especially for Queer Jazz.

- Advertisement -

The founders of Queer Jazz are Tina Edwards and Arowah. Edwards is described in the publicity as “a music multi-hyphenate, active as an international DJ, broadcaster, curator and music journalist” while Arowah is said to be “an award-winning jazz musician, bandleader and composer for B.H.A.M. and founder of the recently retired Jelly’s Jams (2018-2023), a jam night that presented an explicitly BIPOC, Queer or fem house band”.

Queer Jazz’s Instagram account lists a number of historical LGBTQIA+ jazz-performers.

- Advertisement -

The full queer lineup, appearing at the Vortex, 11 Gillett Square, Dalston, London, N16 8AZ is:
Queen Kaltoum, support from Maya Law – February 5th, 20:00 – 23:00
Jessica Lauren, support from Efti’s Project  – March 19th, 20:00 – 23:00
Knobil, support from Leo Lore – April 16th, 20:00 – 23:00
Peng Femme Jam, support from S0lar – May 14th, 20:00 – 23:00
Summer showcase (June, details TBA)
Matters Unknown, support TBA  – July 16th, 20:00 – 23:00

Tickets are available at vortexjazz.co.uk/event/queer-jazz-x-ljf

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

Read more

More articles