Author: Festival

mjf is delighted to announce the appointment of Victoria Robinson as chair to our board. Victoria will take over from Professor Kirsty Fairclough who held the position for over 6 years. Speaking on her time with mjf, Kirsty noted:

“I am immensely proud of what we have achieved together. The passion and dedication of our team have been the heart and soul of every event, ensuring we bring the magic of jazz to life for our community. It has been an honour to lead such a brilliant group of people, and I am excited to see how the festival continues to grow and inspire in the years to come.”

Our board, under the helm of Victoria, will continue to play a pivotal role in mjf’s development guiding the organisation through our next period of development including our 30th anniversary festival edition. 

Victoria Robinson 

“I’m so excited to be joining mjf as Chair. It’s an organisation that truly values and supports artists, and gives audiences the thrill of discovering live music in a city-wide celebration that always inspires. I cannot wait to work more with the team to keep driving this diverse, innovative, creative festival to do what it does best: help artists find themselves and audiences lose themselves.” 

Victoria Robinson is the Chief Executive of The Met, a leading arts centre and cultural hub in Bury. Under her leadership, The Met has become a driving force for musical excellence, artist development, and community engagement across Greater Manchester. She oversees both its charitable and trading arms, ensuring its sustainability and growth.

Over the past decade, Victoria has led major transformations, including a £4.6 million redevelopment and the creation of a new community arts space. She also positioned The Met as a digital innovator during lockdown through its United We Stream partnership.

With over 25 years in the music and arts sector, Victoria has worked in event promotion, commercial PR, and cultural leadership. She played a key role in establishing the Bury Business Improvement District and continues to champion culture as a tool for regeneration.

An influential voice in the industry, she serves on the Greater Manchester Music Commission, Night Time Economy Board and now we are delighted to welcome her onto our board.

She will take up the role of chair alongside our previously appointed board including: Iain McKeith, Nelson Beaumont-Laurencia, Yemi Bolatiwa, Gawen Higgins, Robin Phillips, Lucy Scott, Danni Skerritt, Eric Solomons, Thanda Gumede & Julia Payne.

PRS Foundation’s New Music Biennial

mjf is proud to be one of the 20 organisations to have been selected to premiere new work as part of the PRS Foundation’s New Music Biennial.

PRS Foundation’s New Music Biennial is a critically acclaimed free festival presenting 20 pieces of new music across two festival weekends, at Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture (6th – 8th June 2025) and London’s Southbank Centre (4th-6th July 2025), broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and available for download from NMC Recordings. Click the link here to learn more. 

A premiere of our work (P E A C E) will take place at The Carlton Club during mjf2025.

P E A C E

We are delighted to present the world premiere of this brand new commission,  conceptualised and created by former mjf originals and hothouse artist, Verity Watts. 

Does music about peace have to be peaceful? What does peace sound like in 2025? 

Drawing on her creative catalogue, Verity Watts brings together four world-class artists from contrasting experiences: musically, culturally and spiritually. In the gloriously diverse city of Bradford, where the first Peace Studies department was inaugurated and now houses the Peace Museum, ‘P E A C E’ finds musical commonality in the cracks and creates something beautiful by joining together contrasts. Featuring electronic sounds, rap, scratching, spoken word, bassline improvisation and fused with historic archive audio samples, mjf presents a radical and ambitious commission.   

The collaborators will include world champion turntablist DJ Woody; legendary jazz bassist Dave Kane; Bradford-born singer, rapper and songwriter Kenzo Jae; poet and spoken word artist Scout Tzofiya Bolton and Archive Producer Anna Rhodes who will curate audio samples from Bradford, that feature in the music.

Thank you to the Peace Museum, University of Bradford’s Peace Studies Department and Bradford City Museum for their generous support.

Click here to learn more about the commission.

P E A C E 

Continuing our commitment to new work, mjf is one of the 20 organisations selected for the PRS Foundation’s 2025 New Music Biennial, for which we’ve commissioned sound artist Verity Watts to create P E A C E. Airing at mjf, Bradford UK City of Culture and South Bank Centre and broadcast on BBC Radio 3, the radical work uses turntables, spoken word, bassline improv and archive audio samples to ask us what peace sounds like in 2025. You can witness the premiere at The Carlton Club as part of our Brume x mjf night.

St Ann’s Church

A firm favourite venue for mjf regulars, St Ann’s welcomes Matt Owens back for the album launch of Keys, a work he premiered there at mjf 2014 that focusses in on music for various keyboard instruments, including the noble St Ann’s Church organ. 

Low Four Studios

We’re partnering with this intimate recording and performance space to offer you the chance be in the audience for three live recording/streaming sessions, with artists including Alice Zawadzki’s Za Górami and Elliot Galvin’s new quartet.

Band on the Wall

Once again we’ll head to Band on the Wall for a jam-packed party weekend. Highlights include Afro-punk band Steam Down, visionary saxophonist Camilla George and a new duo bringing together the talents of celebrated pianist Gwilym Simcock and fast-rising saxophonist Emma Rawicz, along with a host of free gigs in The Copper Bar throughout.

mjf at Aviva Studios

In collaboration with Factory International, we’ll welcome to Manchester a triple bill of the most genre-pushing international jazz artists from across Europe. International work has always played a pivotal role in the mjf programme, often giving many artists their UK debut. In these free to access performances, you can hear Nabou (Belgium), Sanem Kalfa’s Miraculous Layers (The Netherlands) and Sylvain Rifflet’s We Want Stars (France). In between sets, unplugged performances from Lou Barnell + Neighbourhood Voices choir and the high-energy Young Pilgrims brass band fill the outdoor space.

And there’s even more to discover here. 

We can’t wait to welcome you!

First time attending a jazz gig? – this handy article will let you know what all the fuss is about!

1) Can you introduce yourself & your work to our audiences?

My names Rory A. Green, I’m a contemporary guitarist, improviser and composer based in Manchester. A lot of my music is centred around sharing stories, either from my own personal experiences or around thoughts, feelings and emotions that are perhaps more shared experiences. I take a lot of infulence from both my European and African heritage (English / Ghanaian). Sonically my music maybe sits around artists ranging from Danish guitarist Jakob Bro, Jasmine Myra and folk artists such as Daudi Matsiko.

2.) Was it fate / destiny to become a musician? & more specifically a jazz musician? Can you remember that first concert, record or experience that introduced you to jazz?

I think it was? But I also think it wasn’t at the same time! I never had the biggest in music as a kid, I went through flute and cornet before settling on guitar but even then I didn’t enjoy it – My guitar lessons at school meant I didn’t have a break and at the age of nine I was more concerned with digging up worms than scales! In my mid to late teens I started to really connect with the guitar. I didn’t just enjoy playing it but I had developed a deeper emotional connection with music as a whole. Discovering jazz was a very long journey for me. I grew up mostly in the Leigh / wigan area and I struggled to find music I was seriously into and also people to help guide me with this but at the time. It wasn’t until I was in college studying music where my teacher Frank Beaver introduced me to Stuart McCallum’s music where I properly discovered not only jazz but a type of music where self expression and individuality was vital.

3.) You’ve been involved in mjf from hothouse to performing at the festival. Could you speak a little about your time on our talent development programme, how you started your journey with mjf & how it helped you to break through to that next level?

The hothouse programme was a very instrumental part to my development as a musician. It was the first time I’d ever been able to really focus on my craft, develop my skills as a composer, guitarist and work on my musicianship as a whole. Being able to have Stuart McCallum as my mentor as well was a very eye opening experience and helped my realise where I wanted to take my music but also cemented the idea of pursuing music as my full time career. The help from mjf as a whole has helped take my career to new heights, the faith and support that I’ve had over the years has helped me to keep progressing

4.) It’s been nothing short of incredible watching your career develop from touring with GoGo Penguin to opening for Laura Misch at mjf 2024 & now a TikTok Rising Star. What’s been your career highlight so far? & what’s next on the horizon?

I’ve been so proud of everything I’ve accomplished so far! Supporting Laura Misch was incredible and joining GoGo Penguin on the road whilst playing for Nina Cobham was a time I won’t forget! Gaining attention from Fender Guitars and Guitar World Magazine was also a dream come true! My biggest plan now is to get some new music out for 2025…

5.) Any spoilers you can give for the new imminent single release?

I don’t want to give too much away but I can say that it’ll released on the 30th of January with a special event on the 29th at Band on The Wall!

6.) What would be your dream headliner for mjf2025 & our 30th festival?

My dream headliner would be Jakob Bro! His music is just so full of emotion and character! Especially his playing in his quartet with Thomas Morgan, Palle Mikkelborg and Jon Christensen.

Catch Rory performing at Band on the Wall, 29th January. This will be shortly followed by Rory’s hotly anticipated & newest single release on the 30th January. Click the link here to book tickets to Rory’s gig at Band on the Wall. 

Rory is an alumni of our talent development programe, hothouse. It is with special thanks to our friends and their ongoing support that we are able to help up and coming contemporary jazz artists such as Rory to transform and take their practise to the next level. Click here to learn how you could also support mjf and its artists. 

Our Digital Content Creator and Maker, Evie, was fortunate to head over to Ghent (Belgium) last weekend along with our Artistic Director, Steve Mead and Producer, Heather Spencer to attend the European Jazz Conference: Tomorrow Comes Today, 2024. With the city so aptly being coined the ‘European Youth Capitol’, the EJN provided free attendance for under 30’s within membership organisations. Read below to discover how Evie spent her time at the conference. 

“Tomorrow really did come today at the EJN 2024 conference, as I had the unique opportunity and privilege to spend a sunny weekend walking the beautiful cobbled streets of Ghent and immersing myself in both the city & its flourishing jazz scene. 

Having worked just two festivals for mjf, I consider myself fairly new to the jazz world and with over 427 participants from a whopping 39 countries this conference provided the perfect opportunity to learn and expand my networks, making lasting connections long after the conference was over. For example, I was inspired to hear from Loredana Franza over at Stockholm’s Women International Jazz Festival about their 2023 programme designed to showcase Ukrainian jazz artists and raise funds for a jazz club in Kyiv.

The option to bring a member under 30 to the organisation provided the chance to meet so many likeminded young people working in not only the same industry but the same role as myself. Chatting to Stockholm Jazz Festival’s Social Media Manager, Axel, provided a refreshing opportunity to discuss shared optimism on what we might do to combat that barriers that limit a young person’s interest in this genre defying music. Listening to Santa, a jazz vocalist from Latvia, share her insights on TikTok and the newly flourishing jazz community there motivated me to consider what the platform could do for our network. And, in true Gen Z style, we are, of course, all now proud members of the ‘Ghent Youths’ Whatsapp group chat. 

It seems almost strange to imagine that I’d need to travel across the North Sea to become more familiar with the wider UK Jazz scene but that I did. The conference offered a unique opportunity to meet heads of organisations working across the UK and in turn I now have a much clearer picture of the wider UK jazz scene including shared practices, challenges & of course successes. I was fortunate to meet key players from organisations such as ‘Moving on Music’ (Belfast), The Glasshouse (Newcastle), Edinburgh & Glasgow Jazz Festival.    

Arguably the second biggest highlight of my time at the conference, was the opportunity to partake in a panel discussion “Tell Me a New Story” where I shared my insights on how we can shape up the marketing message to invite more young people into the jazz community. But hands down, the top highlight of my trip was the privilege to witness so many exciting and emerging jazz artists across Belgium. Nestled, (and often until the early hours) in lively and crowded fringe bars I saw the likes of the electrifying five-piece hybrid jazz combo, Black Flower and the rocky yet lyrical ODIL. On the final day, there was even time to explore this magical city on the water taking a river cruise up the canal. And of course, I definitely sampled my fair share of the finest Belgium Beers.

Overall, I walked away from this weekend filled up with music, knowledge and the loveliest of people. Thank you to the EJN for bringing me in to your thriving jazz community.” – Evie Henderson. 

Read on as Youth Advisory Board member, Georgie Harold-Moss, takes us on a journey through our opening weekend at First Street (17-19 may) for #mjf2024! 

If music be the food of love, then Jazz has got to be my favourite cuisine – and what better feast than the opening weekend of Manchester Jazz Festival 2024 at First Street! Last weekend I had the chance to get a taste of some of the finest music in the Jazz scene all for free! Here’s what was on the menu:

For starters, I headed to the Home Stage to see Claire Victoria Roberts, who, with an enchanting voice, lulls you into a new realm with her blending of folk, classical and jazz. Just as I was closing my eyes to relax into the music, I caught Claire raising her violin and to become ensemble leader in a stunning string interlude, which there were to be many more of. Explaining her own connections to each piece of music, and with each song a conversation between her own voice and fiddle, the lounging audience were taken on a journey from Welsh love songs over to the samba of Brazil.

Peckish for more, I walked over to the Main Stage for my first course, the Maja Mannila Trio. Hailing from Helsinki the trio is led by Maja, a singer, composer and pianist with a truly unique tone and incredible vocal control. I was able to kick back on a deck chair and enjoy their original music, which combined old skool soul with its slapping funk bass with drawn back moments of exposed instrumentals forefronted by Maja’s whistle tones and scatting that stopped passers by in their tracks.

For my main course, I managed to catch the Atatu Trio at the Ask Garden Stage. A fusion of Latin, Jazz, Brazilian and Funk; with songs like ‘Brexit Blues’ each composition is brimming with character, with comforting, meditative grooves soon overtaken by the bass on a mission. Spoken word takes precedence in the Trio’s pieces where the music acts as a running map outlining a route for poignant socio-political observations. Safe to say I was trying to Shazam every song.

Time for a palate cleanser – so I headed back to the Main Stage in time to catch Conor & The Greenskeepers, an eclectic band showcasing arguably the best new Hip Hop / Jazz fusion in Manchester. Fronted by Conor Michael featuring a nine-piece band, these guys had me jumping back up to dance every time I thought I needed a rest. From an incredible blend of salsa beats and smooth lyrical writing to formidable brass that was shoulder to shoulder with Conor’s effortlessly empowering bars, the stage was lit up with an infectious energy cultivated by each member of the band. My highlight had to be trombonist Emily Mason’s emceeing which had the entire crowd hypnotised and immersed in her clockwork flow.

For a sweet treat to conclude my musical buffet, I caught Vipertime on the Main Stage. Formed in Leeds, the band emulates a style blending post-punk Jazz with funk, soul and plenty of skillful improvisation. I was really excited by the hints of Arabic-inspired harmonies as well as the incredible stage presence of all band members, especially saxophonist Ben Powling. With their set ending the Sunday evening, we couldn’t get enough of this funkadelic foursome, and were treated with some encores to dance off into the night.

Suitably stuffed, I couldn’t imagine a more fantastic array of Jazz to see in the first truly sunny summer weekend in Manchester. I’ll be sure to be back next weekend when the festival continues at Band On The Wall with even more incredible shows for all musical cravings.

Our closing weekend will take places at various venues across Manchester including Band on the Wall, RNCM, Stollerhall & Forsyths Music Shop. View the full lineup here. Georgie is a member of our Youth Advisory Board. Applications are now open for those aged between 18-25 with an interest in festivals, music and / or jazz. Click here to learn more and apply. 

Planning on coming along to our FREE opening weekend at First Street? But not sure what to do with the children? Well there’s something on offer for everyone this festival season, as we proudly introduce our jammed packed family friendly lineup of activities. All events will take place on the morning of 18th May and are free to access. Read on to discover more.

Thanda’s BIG Sing​

South African born Thanda Gumede will lead a mass singing workshop. Teaching songs in Zulu and/or Xhosa, Thanda will include warm-up exercises and teach joyous South African harmonies and the signature click sounds of the southern Bantu languages.

The workshop will lead to the choir performing on the Ask Garden Stage with Thanda’s band.

Free, by ticket only.

Ain’t Misbehavin​

Jazz band ain’t misbehavin’ will lead a series of interactive concerts designed to introduce young children to jazz and improvisation in an upbeat and ever silly way. Yet they do not make light of jazz masterpieces, ensuring fun for the whole family.

Free, no booking required. ​

Mambo Jambo​

Exploring carnival rhythms, singing and all sorts of spontaneous music making with acoustic Roots Duo Mambo Jambo. And they might just be the biggest acoustic duo you’ll ever see; a truly unique two-piece known for performing lively, joyous mash up of roots, world, folk and jazz.

Suitable for all ages. Instruments provided. ​

​Free, no booking required.

Little Groovers​

Manchester-based Little Groovers is an award-winning mixed-age music session for babies and young children under the age of 7. Each fun-filled session is led by a trained musician. Sing, play gorgeous percussion instruments and listen to live performance. A huge parachute, tactile props, scarves, ribbons and bubbles make each session a fun, interactive and engaging musical experience. Learn through music about counting, rhythm, taking turns and practising social skills.

​Free, no booking required. 

Make a Bee with Bianca

Come along and join in on this creative bee making workshop. Inspired by our lovely bee icon (designed by Paul Hemmingfield) participants creations will decorate our Ask garden stage.

​Free, no booking required.

Facepainting

There will also be an opportunity for professional face painting and bio glitter, suitable for all ages, with the talented Anna. 

The family friendly activities will take place at our free opening weekend on the morning of the 18th. Participation is free, operating on a first come first served basis. They have been kindly supported by Ask Real Estate.

​

Read on as YAB member, Ariale Luviluka gives us an insight into the YAB’s first public facing event – Stage Fright! 

“The youth advisory board of mjf are giving themselves a pat on the back. Why? Because our first jam night was a success! Hosted at Contact Theatre on the 28th of February, Stage Fright was a night of music, improvisation, and camaraderie—the epitome of jazz bliss.

With a crowd of friends, family, and music lovers, the night began on a high with Kemani Anderson and friends. They set the atmosphere alight showcasing their incredible talent and melodies. Introducing the wonders of jazz improvisation. This then segued to our audience getting involved. We wanted to create a welcoming environment where newcomers to jamming and improvisation felt comfortable to join in. And join they did. Members of our audience took to the stage, personifying creativity and musical exploration. Accompanied by the band, they transported us to their musical world, filling our hearts as we watched their confidence soar with each note.

“The energy & environment was spectacular!” – Stage Fright attendee 

“A lot of musical play… a brilliant environment to be in; it felt very safe & I felt very able to be open – there was no pressure!” – Stage Fright attendee

What a beautiful reminder of how an inviting environment with encouragement can lead to so much more.

It was a wonderful day with many highlights but a favourite was actually from the workshop beforehand. Our workshop was hosted on the same day in hopes that it could provide more insight into the realm of jamming. The discussion and practical guidance given were so insightful and were a definite highlight of the day.

We, the youth advisory board, want to say thanks to everyone who got involved and helped. We are proud of our very first event and are eagerly awaiting our next. We hope your are too.”

By Ariale Luviluka

(YAB Member) 

Keen to get involved with mjf? Want to know more about the Youth Advisory Board (YAB)? Members will be present at a pop-up stall over our Free Opening Weekender at First Street,  situated nearby the Ask Garden Stage. Please pop over and learn more! Audiences will also have two opportunities to see Kemani Anderson perform at mjf2024 as he will not only take to the Ask Garden Stage with Secret Night Gang but also perform solo at Matt & Phreds.  

No musician more embodies the dramatic transformation in the British jazz scene over the past thirty years than saxophonist Courtney Pine.

A groundbreaking multi-instrumentalist; in the 80’s he was one of the first black British jazz artists to make a serious mark on the jazz scene, with his first album “Journey To The Urge Within” – and some 30 years on (now with an OBE and CBE for services to music), he continues to break new ground with a string of highly-acclaimed recordings and numerous prestigious industry awards. His album “Modern Day Jazz Stories” was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize in 2000 and he was the recipient of the Gold Badge award in 2002.

He has released 16 studio albums to date and continues to tour worldwide with his award-winning band, playing clubs, concert halls and festivals from Glastonbury to Fuji Rock, Montreux to Cape Town.

The team at mjf were privileged to sit down with Pine and learn a little more about his influences, career highlights (of which there are many) and most importantly, what Manchester audiences can expect from his gig with us this year at #mjf2024. 

1.) What we love about your work is that you seamlessly blend reggae & hip-hop with classical jazz. Could you speak a little about what lies behind this and influences you in this musical
choice? Seamlessly blending music from different parts of the world is very difficult but I found that the roots of all these different styles are African. My study of African music made it easier to blend rhythm, harmony and melodies and perform these style in a personally satisfying way.

2.) What can audiences look forward to from your performance at manchester jazz festival (mjf)? Are there any special arrangements, repertoire choices, collaborative teams etc.? And, what can fans expect as part of your 60th celebration release of ‘House of Legends’? I have found Manchester audiences to be very open and understanding of what I have been pursuing musically over the years. Improvisation is core to my performances and this project, ‘House of Legends’, reflects our cultures ever evolving diversity in sound.

3.) As one of the first black British jazz artists to make a serious mark on the genre following the release of your debut album Journey to the Urge Within, how do you feel things have changed for up-and-coming young black artists and musicians within the jazz world and has it changed for the better? I believe that the musical environment has changed and I do remember as a sixteen year old being advised not to pursue and career through the university route as black people like me were wasting time going in this direction. I believe from the evidence of the many positive diverse British jazz musicians that we have now that their experiences in higher learning has helped them, and us, as supporters of UK Jazz Music. 

4.) Reflecting back on your career to date, what have been some of your top highlights? I have far to many highlights and most of them are about achieving more than what was expected of me and my choice to perform improvised music. Meeting my heroes; Sonny Rollins, Wynton Marsalis, Herbie Hancock, Marcus Miller, Ernest Ranglin, Monty Alexander, Grace Jones, Manu Dibango, Donald Byrd and many others has enriched my quest for knowledge. Performing in Jamaica, South Africa, Brazil and Japan. Recording with artists as diverse as Bob Marley, Brian Ferry, Kate Bush, Paul Young, Soul II Soul and Alan Parker – the list can go on, but I do realise that signing to Island Records for 7 years and still making music to date is also a big highlight.

5.) Is it true you practice 8 hours a day, every day? No, the truth is that I don’t practise enough! 8 hours is not enough! Jazz music is such deep water and when I think about the humans that have created this legacy, there’s not enough hours in the day but still I try to research, apply and develop myself as a positive musician. 

6.) Here at mjf, we champion the very best homegrown, up and coming contemporary jazz artists. We’d love to know what you see are the current opportunities and challenges in the music industry for new artists? Do you have any good advice for the younger generation who are pursuing a career as a professional jazz musician?I believe that artists, especially, in the United Kingdom, have in this day and age the opportunity to reflect who we are and make a positive artistic statement without prejudice. Technology, our society blended together under the improvisers muse, can make for a very unique sound. I have found that when music reflects life, then life will reflect music.

Courtney Pine will close the manchester jazz festival, 2024, with a very special concert, marking his 60th birthday with a special edition of his award winning-project ‘House of Legends’. Band on the Wall, main stage, Sunday 26th May, 8PM, £28. Click the link here to purchase tickets.