Orchestra Mambo International

mjf @ First Street (Main Stage)

Jonny Enright trombone / Claritzel Miyares, Carlos Peña vocals / Olivia Cuttill, Victor Estevez, Chris Williamson trumpetsBen Powling baritone saxophone / John Settle vibraphone / Andrzej Baranek keyboards / Simon Edwards bass / Luis Tumbamilian bongos / Sam Bell congas / Jimmy Le Messurier timbales

Orchestra Mambo International is a 13-piece formed in 2024 by salsa DJ Lubi Jovanovic (DJ Lubi) and salsa/mambo trombonist Jonny Enright (Grupo X). They play classic mambo, salsa dura and Afro-Cuban jazz inspired by Latin music legends Tito Puente, Machito, Eddie Palmieri, Celia Cruz, Ray Barretto and Tito Rodriguez. The line-up features musicians from Venezuela, Colombia, Cuba, Spain and Brazil and UK players based in Manchester, Liverpool, Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Edinburgh and London.

OMI are bringing mambo to a whole new young generation of UK listeners – and not just from the salsa dance scene. The band are celebrated for their exciting live performances, amongst them Leeds Jazz Festival, Music Port Festival and Glastonbury and on Cerys Matthews’ BBC6 Music show in session from the legendary Maida Vale Studios.

Their five single releases of original mambo, Latin jazz and cha cha have been supported by Gilles Peterson, Huey Morgan, Craig Charles, Jamz Supernova, Don Letts and Cerys Matthews, as well as by Jazz FM, One Jazz and Worldwide FM. Their debut album is destined for release this summer.

Date: saturday 16 may

Time: 7:45 pm - 9:00 pm

Price: Free

Women in Jazz Photography: Her Frame. Her Sound

Aviva Studios (The Social)

The exhibition takes place in The Social at Aviva Studios. Check here for opening hours.

Bringing together inspirational women from across the globe, the award-winning organisation Women in Jazz Media presents an exclusive photography exhibition: Women in Jazz Photography: Her Frame. Her Sound 

Celebrating women working in jazz behind and in front of the camera, the exhibition showcases inspirational moments in jazz captured by some of the remarkable female photographers leading the way in jazz photography. Exhibiting legends such as Geri Allen, Abbey Lincoln, Alice Coltrane, Nina Simone and contemporary artists Lakecia Benjamin, Nubya Garcia and Brandee Younger, this is the first exhibition of its kind.  

With award-winning photographers from South Africa, New York, Poland and the United Kingdom, this breathtaking exhibition features the work of Monika S Jakubowksa, Vuyo Giba, Tatiana Gorilovsky, Enid Farber and Kasia Ociepa. 

The exhibition launched in April 2025 at London’s award-winning Karamel Club, going on to visit the Black Mountain Jazz Festival in Abergavenny, and continues to the Highworth Jazz Festival in June. 

 The Photographers 

Enid Farber resides in New York City and has been photographing mostly jazz musicians since 1979 but her work includes artists from a variety of genres, including Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Ray Charles, Bob Marley, Charlie Watts, Diana Ross, Bono and Celia Cruz who have all appeared before her lens. 

Vuyo Giba is a South African -based photographer, writer, and creative professional dedicated to preserving South African jazz heritage. Her work spans jazz, abstract, and lifestyle photography, capturing evocative narratives through imagery. With experience in film production, research, and project coordination, she collaborates with artists and communities to document and celebrate cultural stories. 

Tatiana Gorilovsky is a London-based photographer specializing in music photography, particularly jazz. She has captured the dynamic spirit of the genre for renowned venues such as Ronnie Scott’s, Pizza Express, 606 and others, as well as festivals including the EFG London Jazz Festival and Love Supreme Festival. Tatiana loves experimenting with long exposure and multiple exposure to capture the sounds, rhythm and energy of Jazz. Her images are held in the National Jazz Archive and have been featured in prominent publications such as Jazzwise Magazine, The Times, The Guardian, Financial Times, Billboard, UK Jazz News, The Independent, Time Out London and others.  

Kasia Ociepa is a Wales-based photographer specializing in jazz, events, weddings, and portrait photography, with a deep love for fine art photography. Originally from Poland, she moved to the UK in 2006 and transitioned from garden design to professional photography during lockdown. As the resident photographer for Black Mountain Jazz Club, she has documented the club’s vibrant jazz scene, with her images used by musicians for album covers, press materials, and social media. Kasia sees photography as storytelling, capturing the energy and emotion of live music, and she is always happy to collaborate with musicians and event organizers. 

The award-winning photographer Monika S Jakubowska is renowned across the world.  As the in-house photographer for prestigious London venues, Ronnie Scott’s and Kings Place, she has captured award winning images of legends and is the photographer of choice by many artists. Her portfolio is vast and includes Jeff Goldblum, Genesis, Macy Gray, John Legend, Jazz royalty Dee Dee Bridgewater, George Clinton and Courtney Pine to name a few. Darius Brubeck included Monika’s photographer in his foreword to the brilliant book Sight Readings: Photographers and American Jazz, which was nominated for book of the year by the jazz Journalist Association. 

Date: friday 15 may

Price: Free

Cassie Kinoshi’s seed.

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RNCM Theatre

Cassie Kinoshi alto saxophone / Deji Ijishakin TBC soprano & tenor saxophone / Jack Banjo Courtney, Joseph Oti trumpets / Joe Bristow trombone / Hanna Mbuya TBC tuba / Shirley Tetteh guitar / Deschanel Gordon piano, keyboards / Rio Kai bass / Lukas Akintaya drums / Nik Nak turntables

Formed in early 2016, seed. (formerly known as SEED Ensemble) is an award-winning eleven-piece led by composer and alto-saxophonist Cassie Kinoshi. A dynamic group of musicians pushing the boundaries of contemporary jazz, seed. merges influences from various musical traditions to create a powerful and rhythmic sonic experience.

Featuring their latest line-up and performing a selection of new and recent material, their mjf show is one of a special limited-date tour marking the band’s tenth anniversary.

Now based between Berlin and London, Kinoshi focuses on creating multi-disciplinarily and genre-blending performance work in various audio-visual contexts. Her many accolades include an Ivors Academy Award and a Hyundai Mercury Award nomination.

Followers of UK jazz will know Kinoshi from her previous work with seed. or as a former member of Kokoroko and Nerija. However, her compositional résumé also extends deeply into orchestral work for concert halls, contemporary dance, film, visual art, and theatre, with high profile collaborators including London Sinfonietta, Philharmonia Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra.

In 2023 Cassie Kinoshi premiered a commissioned suite gratitude to a full-capacity Southbank Centre, composed for seed. in a special augmented formation that also featured turntablist NikNak and the London Contemporary Orchestra (LCO).

“A heartfelt and accomplished brew of African, Caribbean and urban dance grooves, R&B and 60s Blue Note-ish ensemble harmonies.” – The Guardian

Information on the players in the line-up correct at time of publication

Photography Credit: Aurore Fouchez 

Date: saturday 16 may

Time: 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Price: £25

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Ankora

mjf @ First Street (Main Stage)

Keira Chakraborty flute / Mali Sheard alto saxophone / Hannah Clifton, Klara Devlin trumpets / Tami Adebanjo guitar / Kezia Abuoma piano / Holly Reinhardt bass / Miranda Radford drums

Ankora (‘anchor’) is a fast-rising octet of ambitious young musicians breaking through the dynamic London jazz scene. Meeting at the Tomorrow’s Warriors stable, they performed as the TW Frontline under the tutelage of drummer Romarna Campbell, and have now forged a new identity all their own.

Their name symbolises groundedness, hope and a connection to roots – qualities expressed through their repertoire of originals and interpretations of powerful jazz tunes. The name also links to the alternative meaning of ‘again’ in Italian, marking the momentum of their rebirth, as the band continues their own musical and artistic journey.

The spark and power of Freddie Hubbard, Herbie Hancock, Joe Henderson and Wayne Shorter inspire the band’s sound, as well as that of contemporary masters Esperanza Spalding, Geri Allen, Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts and Kenny Kirkland.

Individual members of Ankora have already chalked up performances at Love Supreme, We Out Here, Cheltenham Jazz Festival and Dizzy’s Jazz Club (NYC). Ready for more, this empowering and powerful ensemble is excited to embrace the wonder and diversity of today’s jazz scene on their Manchester debut.

Photography credit: Jamie Broadis 

Date: saturday 16 may

Time: 3:15 pm - 4:25 pm

Price: Free

Facepainting with Cookie Love MUA

mjf @ First Street (Gazebo)

An an opportunity for professional face painting and bio glitter, suitable for all ages, with the talented Cookie Love Facepaint. 

Date: saturday 16 may

Time: 11:30 am - 1:30 pm

Price: Free

Family Friendly Yoga with Gilly

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mjf @ First Street (Ask Garden Stage)

Join us for a playful, thematic take on an adult yoga class – for all the family! With creative movement, breathwork, stretching, and a little relaxation. No experience needed—just bring your energy and a smile! 

Suggested age for family-friendly yoga: 3+. All abilities welcome. 

There are two sessions available and you will need to book either a ticket + yoga mat (if you don’t have a yoga mat) or just book a ticket if you are bringing your own mat. 

Date: Saturday 16 May 

Time: 10:00 am – 10:30 am, 11:00 am – 11:30 am 

Price: Free, by ticket only 

Date: saturday 16 may

Time: 10:00 am - 10:30 am

Time: 11:00 am - 11:30 am

Price: Free

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Plant MCR

Venue TBC

Join Plant Co-operative for a hands-on, family-friendly workshop where you’ll sow your very own mini wildflower meadow in a pot to take home with you: perfect for pollinators like bees, butterflies, and even night-time navigators like moths! Green spaces, no matter how big or small, are important places for pollinators, especially in urban areas like towns and cities. There are likely to be hundreds of different species in just an ordinary urban back garden, balcony or even a windowsill.

Our plant gardeners will help you select the right wildflower seeds for your space, and guide you step by step through the process of creating your own individual mini meadow. After choosing and planting your seeds with our team, let your creativity run wild as you decorate your pot in any style you like – bees, ladybirds, or whatever inspires you!

Each session lasts around 45 minutes, but feel free to stay longer to finish painting your pot. Then take your mini meadow home and watch it bloom!

Date: saturday 16 may

Time: 10:30 am - 11:45 am

Time: 12:30 pm - 1:45 pm

Price: Free

Little Groovers

Venue TBC

Manchester-based Little Groovers is an award-winning music session for babies and young children. Sing along to familiar songs, play loads of different percussion and experience live performance from one of their  trained musicians. Not forgetting a huge parachute, bubbles, scarves and puppets. Learn through music about counting, rhythm, taking turns and practising social skills in a fun and interactive way. 

 

Date: saturday 16 may

Time: 12:00 pm - 12:30 pm

Time: 1:15 pm - 1:45 pm

Price: Free