You never know who’s going to come to hang out at the Vortex.

Conductor Sir Simon Rattle was on relaxed form as he enjoyed a little quality time at the jazz club on what proved to be the hottest day of the year so far.

Sir Simon, who is to join the London Symphony Orchestra as its music director in 2017 after a long spell as director of the Berlin Philharmonic, was welcomed to the east London venue by club director Oliver Weindling.

No stranger to jazz, it’s three years since Sir Simon conducted the LSO when they joined forces with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra in the Barbican for the UK premiere of Wynton Marsalis’ Swing Symphony.

Story: Stephen Graham

Sir Simon Rattle greets friends in Gillett Square, Dalston, top; and arriving, welcomed to the Vortex by club director Oliver Weindling, above.

Photos: Marlbank