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Lara Jones

mjf @ First Street (Ask Garden Stage)

Lara Jones saxophone & electronics 

Lara Jones is a Londonbased experimental producer, saxophonist, keyboardist and lyricist who creates high energy pulsating electronics and jazz harmonies that weave into electronic grime and a web of arpeggiated synths, basses and glitchy beats in Ableton Live.  

Jones’ work has undergone an organic evolution across her recordings, with her latest set distilling a dizzying mix of accessible and avant-garde sounds with edgy, powerful production. From the haunting poignancy of her darkly ambient debut EP, Ensó, via the crunching industrial grime of Flow, with its flickering gritty textures, to the warm eroticism and enticing dance grooves of Fig, Lara Jones refuses to be boxed in by genres or gender definitions.  

As a queer artist, Lara uses her work to explore queer narratives and experiences whilst opening up conversations on gender, stereotypes, queer fashion and queer identity. She also uses her music as a platform to address political issues and social injustices.  

This has garnered her support from BBC Radios 1, 3 and 6 Music, The Wire and many more, along with accolades as a Jerwood Arts Jazz Encounter Fellow, Peter Whittingham Award winner and PRSF Women Make Music Awardee.  

For mjf2022, Lara was commissioned by mjf and Jerwood Arts to create an accessible, immersive, audiovisual experience inside a geodesic dome, which premiered at Piccadilly Station.

Photographer Credit: Jess Rose

 

Date: sunday 17 may

Time: 4:45 pm - 5:30 pm

Price: Free

Hang Linton

mjf @ First Street (Main Stage)

Hang Linton vocalsguitar, harmonica, sampler, synthesisers

mjf partners with Jazz North to present a showcase of the latest artists selected for the Northern Line touring programme. 

A fearless sonic force, Hang Linton is a boundary-pushing artist from Leeds, fusing avant-funk, dance-punk, psych-rock and breakbeats into a raw and unapologetic sound. Armed with a sampler, synths and an unrelenting energy, Linton dismantles the polished and predictable, channelling the spirit of DIY counterculture with every performance. 

Explosive, chaotic, and fiercely authentic, Hang Linton brings a live show that’s part protest, part party, a cathartic release that challenges convention and demands your attention. 

Photography Credit: Laura Lulika

Date: sunday 17 may

Time: 4:00 pm - 4:45 pm

Price: Free

SwanNek

mjf @ First Street (Main Stage)

Mollie Birmingham vocalsOlly Styles tenor saxophone Jacob Egglestone guitar / Alexa K Palmer Campiglia celloFindlay Hewitson keyboards / Jake Baines bass / John Hirst drums 

mjf partners with Jazz North to present a showcase of the latest artists selected for the Northern Line touring programme. 

SwanNek is a boundary-pushing contemporary jazz collective from Newcastle upon Tyne, renowned for crafting music that celebrates the people and places closest to their hearts. 

SwanNek draw deeply from their own experiences, weaving personal stories into a dynamic and powerfully emotive sound: a fusion that reflects the rich and diverse musical identity of their hometown.  

Their emotive, innovative and welcoming live shows have drawn praise from Radio 3’s Soweto Kinch and BBC Introducing’s Shakk (“a collective of musical superheroes”), consistently attracting an eclectic and ever-growing fanbase. 

“Innovative. Dynamic. A combustion of musical talent.” – Glasshouse ICM 

Date: sunday 17 may

Time: 2:30 pm - 3:15 pm

Price: Free

Ancient Infinity Orchestra

mjf @ First Street (Main Stage)

Ozzy Moysey double bass / Joel Stedman flutebass clarinetcongasMatt Cliffe flute, alto flute, tenor saxophone / Khemi Shabazz oboe / Jacob Rider alto saxophone / Hugh Vincent piano / Elliot Roffe double bass / John Arnesen drums

mjf partners with Jazz North to present a showcase of the latest artists selected for the Northern Line touring programme. 

Ancient Infinity Orchestra emerged in the North of England as a joyous, communal force, rooted in collective music-making and shared intention. Led by Leeds-based composer-double bassist Ozzy Moysey, the ensemble weaves melody, with expansive, uplifting improvisation, creating music that feels both intimate and cosmic.  

Their latest recording, It’s Always About Love, blossoms with warmth, texture, and emotional depth, shaped by a rich palette of acoustic sounds and open-hearted collaboration. Affiliated with jazz, folk, classical, and devotional music traditions, the Orchestra offers generous, healing music that invites listeners into a shared experience of unity, openness, and joy. 

Photography Credit: Solomon Charles-Kelly 

Date: sunday 17 may

Time: 7:00 pm - 7:45 pm

Price: Free

Rivkala

mjf @ First Street (Main Stage)

Rivkala vocals / Faye Maccalman saxophones, clarinet Billy Bradshaw trumpet Ben Lawrence keyboards / Luke Elgie guitar / Katy Trigger double bass, bass guitar / Mark Johnson drums

mjf partners with Jazz North to present a showcase of the latest northern artists to be selected for the groundbreaking touring programme Northern Line. 

Self-proclaimed showgirl Rivkala – along with her esteemed band – blends jazz, soul, funk, and klezmer to build the twisted world of the Crushed Velvet cabaret bar, where she delivers biting yet playful social commentaries. The Mancunian singer-songwriter has made the North East her home over the past seven years, working across a range of projects and co-founding Jam Sandwich, an improvised contemporary jazz jam. 

Winner of Youth Music Video of the Year (2025), Youth Music Ones to Watch (2026), BBC Introducing: One to Watch (2025), and Drake Music’s Emergent Artist (2023), Rivkala delivered exhilarating performances in 2025 for BBC Proms (broadcast on Radio 3’s ‘Round Midnight), MOBO Fringe, Sofar Sounds, SXSW Roadshow and TV features for BBC Look North and ITV Tyne Tees. 

Date: sunday 17 may

Time: 5:30 pm - 6:15 pm

Price: Free

Veasey//Ticciati Duo

mjf @ First Street (Ask Garden Stage)

Nika Ticciati pianoBeth Veasey drum kit

Veasey//Ticciati Duo presents a personal blend of contemporary classical music and first wave free jazz 

Particularly referencing the extended works of Don Cherry, the duo’s compositions are an exploration of closeness and intimacy. Their relationship with experimental music is founded on these ideas, as an avenue for connection with both the audience and each other.  

The way the duo performs and composes lets either player reference whatever musical world they like, in whatever tone they like, as well as dig for new tones and worlds. They might drift through clattering bursts of noise, rapturous spiritual jazz-isms and spacious modern chamber music in one sitting; the players’ hope is for audiences to be left with the sense of knowing them quite well.

Date: sunday 17 may

Time: 3:15 pm - 4:00 pm

Price: Free

Tom Sharp Jazz Orchestra

Matt and Phreds

James Boyes, Anna Chandler-King, Emma Johnson, Laurence Mason, Sophie Speed saxophones Ciarán Diston, Joe Martin, Tom SharpStuart Wilson trumpets Tom I’Anson, Pat MartinTom Smith trombones Will Powell guitar / Joe Boyes piano / Eliott Roffe bass Josh Smout drums

The award-winning 20-piece Tom Sharp Jazz Orchestra continue their exploration of big band music looking this year at the work of the great Duke Ellington. Alongside classics such as ‘Take The “A” Train’, ‘Cottontail’ and ‘Caravan’, for one performance only the ensemble will be tackling Billy Strayhorn’s controversial banned ‘Peer Gynt Suite’. Spanning centuries, from Ibsen, via Grieg, via Duke Ellington, via the Tom Sharp Jazz Orchestra to you, come down for this one-off big band spectacular.

 

Date: sunday 17 may

Time: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Price: Seated: £7-£12 ; Standing: £5

Buy Tickets

Rory A. Green

mjf @ First Street (Main Stage)

Rory A. Green classical guitarEleanor Colee tenor saxophone / Zac Hemming drums

mjf partners with Jazz North to present a showcase of the latest artists selected for the Northern Line touring programme. 

Ghanaian-English guitarist, composer and producer Rory A. Green, inspired by his mixed heritage backgrounduses the sensitivity of acoustic instruments combined with infectious rhythms to create heavily layered, atmospheric environments for his music. 

With his dynamic, conversational approach to the guitar and improvisation, Rory has been using music to tell stories and captivate audiences in his hometown of Manchester and across the UKsharing stages with Laura Misch, Kessoncoda and Marysia Osu. 

Photography Credit: VALETTE

 

Date: sunday 17 may

Time: 1:00 pm - 1:45 pm

Price: Free

mjf2026 Piano Trail Walking Tour with FMWT

Buy Tickets

Victoria Train Station

Please note tickets go off sale for this event via mjf at 10am on the day of the trail. 

After three years of sold-out tours, the piano trail walking tours are back, following manchester jazz festival’s famous piano trail across the city centre… accompanied by live band, Sherpa K! 

Josh (FMWT) will follow the mjf piano trail across the city centre, exploring the fabulous interiors of Manchester’s theatres, art galleries and music venues, as well as uncovering secret street art and learning about the origins of a famous Manchester fruit drink and its artists. There are two piano trail walking tours – one on Sunday 17 May and one on Sunday 24 May, running from 11am-1pm.

The tours include pop-up performances by Sherpa K – the makers of art-folk with a knowing twink. Boasting a musical arsenal from saxophone and flute to piano and double bass, the five Sherpas are on a mission to confuse, charm, and promote universal joy.

Kids go free, but please select a ticket, one per child attending. Please note that children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult and due to the use of some strong language during the tour, parent/carer discretion is advised. 

£2 of every ticket will automatically be donated to our Play it Forward: Street Piano Fund, working to maintain the upkeep of our pianos throughout the city. Learn more here: https://manchesterjazz.com/play-it-forward 

WHERE TO MEET AND WHEN 

Meet Josh near the piano underneath the departure boards inside Manchester Victoria Station. The tour will start promptly at 11am and last approximately 2 hours. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water! 

FREE MANCHESTER WALKING TOURS: 

Free Manchester Walking Tours (www.fmwt.co.uk) was set up nearly a decade ago by storyteller, History MA graduate and Mancunian Josh. They’ve since grown into a small team dedicated to sharing Manchester’s story with the world. They run a tour every day at 11am from the Alan Turing Memorial, as well as offering specialised LGBT+ and Northern Quarter walking tours. 

 

 

 

 

 

Photography Credit: Jeni Illingworth

Date: sunday 17 may

Time: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm

Price: £12 for adults, children go free

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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