Month: February 2023

We are back! #mjf2023 is taking shape with our full line-up announced this morning and on sale via Eventbrite.

And what a strong line-up it is from, as always, the best new emerging UK jazz artists (Rosie Frater-Taylor, Romarna Campbell, Marcus Joseph) to actual living jazz legends (Billy Cobham, Fred Wesley & The New J.B’s).  Learn more below and browse our full line-up here.

Opening Weekender: mjf@First Street 

Our free opening weekender celebrates the breadth and individuality of our home-grown scene: bands from, or with a strong connection to, the north. It’s also about shining the spotlight on artists who’ve journeyed through some of our talent development programmes in recent years. 

As well as some of the north’s leading artists gracing our Main Stage (Ni Maxine, Wizards of Twiddly, Yemi Bolatiwa) on Friday and Saturday, you can check out some of the Greater Manchester 18-25s bands from our Soundcheck and hothouse artist development programmes on the Garden Stage (Nasa Parka, Moby Dickless, Rory A Green). Accomplished performers in more intimate settings adorn the Home Stage (Moore & Fairhall, Good Habits) throughout each day. 

On Sunday we partner with Jazz North to celebrate 10 years of the northernline touring support scheme: on the Main Stage, we’ll showcase five acts selected by industry bigwigs to be elected onto the 2023 artist roster. 

Matt & Phred’s  

Matt & Phred’s at Manchester Jazz Festival 2023 shines the spotlight on bands and musicians who showcase styles of jazz from different parts of the world (Henry Botham’s New Orleans Piano Gumbo, Baiana); whilst staying true to our ethos of supporting and championing local and independent musicians (The Chanteuse, Cuba Vida Salsa Band). Clarinettist Arun Ghosh makes a welcome homecoming appearance to round off our opening weekender, and we end the week in true M&P’s style, with a massive brass party. 

St Ann’s Church 

A firm favourite venue for mjf regulars, at St Ann’s, we welcome a selection of the UK’s most respected and cherished established players in intimate acoustic performances (Freight Train, Robert Mitchell, Stan Sulzmann & Nikki Iles) that bring you close to the music. Artistry, expertise and virtuosity, set in an oasis of calm in the bustling city centre. 

Closing weekend at Band on the Wall 

The very best in energetic, contemporary UK and international jazz talent (Mica Millar, Julie Campiche, Buena Vista Social Club’s Eliades Ochoa) – from legends to fast-rising names to watch, many on their Manchester debuts, and all in a classic club setting. 

Don’t forget the events we’ve already announced with NQJazz, The Blues Kitchen and un.procedure‘s new commission Themory – and there’s yet more to discover at Forsyth’s and Albert Hall.

We can’t wait to welcome you!

We have yet another selection of bold, contemporary and diverse artists presented by Manchester promoters NQ Jazz, in partnership with mjf!

NQ Jazz will host three gigs at the well-loved, intimate venue in north Manchester: The Yard. 

• Donovan Haffner- Monday 22nd May, 7.30pm*, £14.00 (full)
• A young artist who very much embodies the current generation of emerging UK jazz talent, Donovan Haffner makes his hotly-awaited debut Manchester appearance at this year’s jazz festival having already raised the roof at Love Supreme, Ronnie Scott’s, We Out Here and many more over the last 2 years.
• Alina Bzhezhinska’s HipHarp Collective ft. Tony Kofi – Tuesday 23rd May 7.30pm*, £14.00 (full)
• Alina Bzhezhinska is a one-woman powerhouse, on a mission to bring the harp to the fore of contemporary sound – a sound that can penetrate any size venue, any genre, any generation, and any musical taste; drawing as much from 90s Triphop and Afrobeat as jazz greats Dorothy Ashby and Alice Coltrane. There’s no limit to where Alina’s music can go!
• Nathaniel Facey Trio – Wednesday 24th May 7.30pm*, £14.00 (full)
• One of the UK’s most exciting saxophonists, Nathaniel Facey is a prominent figure on the European jazz scene, with a truly unique sound full of ferocious passion and lyrical mastery. This fire-breathing trio of long-term collaborators play with a deep sense of adventure & connection that sets the imagination alight.

Click on each artist to discover more and hit the link HERE to get your tickets!

*This is the start time of each performance. Doors will open 45 minutes prior to each concert. 

The latest artists revealed for mjf 2023 see us partner with the great Manchester jazz venue,  The Blues Kitchen Manchester –  joining us to deliver an array of bold, diverse contemporary artists for the mjf programme. Take a look below at our events with the city’s newest live blues and soul venue and restaurant. Make sure to grab yourself a ticket.

• Fred Wesley & The New JBs – The Concert Hall– Tuesday 23rd May , 9 PM, £26.40
• Beginning his career with Ike and Tina Turner, Fred later became musical director, arranger and composer for the Godfather of funk himself, James Brown, and arranged for and played with Parliament-Funkadelic. Wesley became the world’s most famous sideman through his work with Brown, defining the language of funk for years to come and later taking it to the next level alongside George Clinton and Bootsy Collins. Join us in the company of a living legend this May.
• Celebrating Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue- The Concert Hall – Wednesday 24th May, 8PM, £13.75 
• Rising star trumpeter Olivia Cuttill performs music from Miles Davis’ beloved Kind Of Blue in its entirety live with an all-star quintet of outstanding young talent.

Please click the link HERE to purchase a ticket and view the rest of our 2023 lineup.

We hope to see you there!