"We open our minds, stretch forth, take chances & venture out musically to arrive at something new & different. "Horace Silver..                                                          It's 2015 and Freedom:The Art of Improvisation sessions are back in a big way and relocated to its new home – The Vortex –                                                                                Where it has entered a new phase in its evolution.The year kicked off with a packed house for the first ever Freedom Loft sessions,Followed by another inspiring packed session in February, So purchasing advance tickets could be the way to secure your place each month at what is rapidly looking like the place to be, .                                    The Freedom sessions are known for their wild, totally free evenings of challenging and up-lifting improvisations which have consistently united a cross cultural and cross generational posse of players new to the scene and already established players,vocalists. Freedom will continue to pursue the promise of legendary associations like the AACM, the Black Artsist Group and Sam Rivers’ legendary NYC loft session.                                                   "No need for a real book this is the unreal book sessions"
At the helm of Freedom are the Warriors International’s Orphy Robinson and Cleveland Watkiss and able aided by Harpist Tori Handsley. Freedom sessions in the past have attracted Chicago AACM memeber and Ethnic Heritage Ensemble alumni Earnest Dawkins, Nigel Kennedy Band members like Doug Boyle, Regular Improv heavyweights such as Pat Thomas, Claude Deppa, Phillip Achille, Steve Noble, Steve Beresford, Neil Charles, Liam Noble,Rachel Musson,Caroline Kraabel, Maurizio Ravalico, Darren Taylor, Julian Siegal,Renell Shaw, Zuri Jarrett Boswell amongst a host of others.
Freedom @ The Vortex takes place on the 2nd Monday of each month and starts with an opening short set from an adhoc ensemble and that is swiftly followed by a constantly shifting set of soul stirring improv sessions open to all… so tune in and get involved.
Between sets Straight No Chasers Paul Bradshaw delves into the vinyl – Oliver Lake to King Tubby….

Freedom: Loft sessions