Whirlpool: Dom Howard (Downstairs)

Doors 6:45 PM, Music 7:30 PM - 1 set of music
Line-up:
Laura Hussey - violin
Scottie Thompson - piano
Oli Fitzgerald - electric bass
Aaron Carpenter - drum kit
Dom Howard - electric guitar
About:
Our Whirlpool series for this month is led by guitarist, composer and producer Dom Howard. He brings a quintet lineup to performing Dom’s original music in a brand new lineup.
In March 2025, he released his debut album ‘All the Paths Join Up Here’ to CD and digital, having produced, mixed and mastered the record himself. A feature in the May 2025 edition of Jazzwise described the record as ‘original and intriguing’ and ‘determinedly forward-looking music’. The quintet will be exploring new repertoire alongside material from his album.

Dom graduated from the Royal Academy of Music in 2025, having studied under the tutelage of Chris Montague, John Paracelli, Pete Churchill, Kit Downes, Chris Hyson and others. While at the Academy, Dom has become increasingly involved with several contemporary classical ensembles, and is particularly interested in exploring its intersection with improvisation.
In summer 2025, Dom was part of the ‘Creative Dialogue’ course in France, where he collaborated with John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin), Finnish Cellist Anssi Karttunen and British composer Mark-Anthony Turnage, exploring improvisation and new music.

During his time in London, Dom has formed projects with contemporaries singer-songwriter Immy Churchill, pianist and composer Ashkan Layegh, saxophonist Kasper Rietkerk, drummer Ananda Brandão amongst others, and performs regularly with Running Standard and Tillla. Kasper was part of Whirlpool two years ago and Ananda is from the current.
Whirlpool is the Vortex’s monthly series involving some of the finest new graduates out of the London conservatoires, selected specially by the jazz course heads. This is the third annual cohort.

- +44 20 7254 1143
- Direct venue contact line

- Located at main entrance
- Ticket pickup available 30 minutes before show
- Valid photo ID required
- Advance booking recommended

- Limited street parking available
- Nearby public parking garages
- Recommended to use public transport
- Close to Dalston Kingsland rail station

- Limited wheelchair accessible spaces
- Ground floor entry available
- Call in advance to confirm accessibility needs
- Some standing room options

- No outside food or drinks
- Smart casual attire
- No photography during performances
- Age 18+ for most shows
- Quiet during performances

- Adult-oriented venue
- Generally not recommended for children
- Occasional all-ages matinee performances
- Parental discretion advised