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Friday 19th

A look back at some of the fantastic artists & venues that opened up #mjf2023 for us!

Yemi Bolatiwa (C) Mark Lear

The Wizards of Twiddly (C) Mark Lear

(C) Mark Lear

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Calling all jazz musicians!! This is your one mont

Calling all jazz musicians!! This is your one month notice to sign up to play #mjf2027 ‼️🚨

Not sure what to put in the application?! Wondering what we are looking for?! Our artistic director is here to reveal all 🫶

We are looking for the very best genre fusing contemporary jazz from Manchester, the north, the UK AND the world (yes you heard that right!) 🌍

We listen to everything so this really is the best way to ensure your music is heard by us 🎙️👉 link to apply in the bio

#mjf2026 #artistsubmissions #jazzmusicians

Releasing our next group of artists from @finnmuir

Releasing our next group of artists from @finnmuircochrane Youth Advisory Board takeover taking you behind the scenes of @firststreetmcr ‼️🎙️

Next up is:
🇰🇪 Kenyan artist @machariamusic who’s work blends rich vocal textures with initimate & reflective story telling
🎸 Ghanaian-English guitarist @rorygreenmusic combining the sensitivity of acoustic instruments with infectious rhythms
✨ Intimate , indie-folk singer @elingrace_ . Her work defined by poetic lyricism & raw authenticity

👉 listen via the link in the bio

📸 @flossbobbins

Introducing the next in our series with @finnmuirc

Introducing the next in our series with @finnmuircochrane & our youth advisory board takeover 👉 head to our YouTube to watch the full extended interview

For a taste of the energetic , eclectic live music sets it’s @a1ex.fb from the hip-hop jazz fusion band Scratchy Junk Show 🕺

#mjf2026

Don’t forget, artist submissions are open to play

Don’t forget, artist submissions are open to play #mjf2027 👉 via the link in the bio

With 20% of our lineup currently programmed this way ⏩ to discover a small selection of open submissions’ artists from #mjf2026

1. @dilettantesongs
2. Tom Cawley
3. @ankoramusic
4. @wearecaraway
5. @d.kayode
6. @orch.mambo.international
7. @calico_the_band
8. @unfurl_band

📸 @flossbobbins @rinasrabonianphotography @chunkyphoto @anaclicks @syddanube @c_jepegnanam

Nominate #mjf2025 (& our 30th anniversary year!) f

Nominate #mjf2025 (& our 30th anniversary year!) for the Manchester City Council Culture Awards 👉 link in bio to vote

🎼 As the city’s longest-running music festival, manchester jazz festival has been a vital part of Manchester’s cultural identity since 1996

🎷 Each year it brings together hundreds of musicians across the city, presenting bold, contemporary jazz in venues and public spaces that reflect Manchester’s creative spirit

✨ The festival champions new and original work, supports emerging and established artists, and provides year-round talent development that helps shape the future of the UK jazz scene.

Nominations are invited for the people and organisations who have made an outstanding contribution to the cultural life of the city...

...Perhaps you think this could be our 30th anniversary festival? 🎪

If so, please consider nominating mjf in the Best Event category for the Manchester Culture Awards 💜

📷 @rinasrabonianphotography @chunkyphoto @kaitlynb.jpeg @rawss_perception @ailishpix @pixelhivemedia & Lucy Craig

#mjf2025 #McrCultureAwards #whatsonmanchester

#throwbackthursday to #mjf2026 with our youth advi

#throwbackthursday to #mjf2026 with our youth advisory board takeover of our free opening weekend @firststreetmcr & @finnmuircochrane is here to take you behind the scenes , interviewing some of the best contemporary, genre-fusing artists on the scene!

First up is long time mjf collaborator @_charliecooper_ here to talk about creating music for the love of it & shouting out Manchester legends @mattandphreds 🫶 👉 catch the full interview on our YouTube

Enjoyed our free opening weekend? Keen to support more emerging artists? Why not consider donating to the festival 👉 via the link in the bio

So, of course we think mjf is the highlight of the

So, of course we think mjf is the highlight of the Manchester calendar...! But don’t just take our word for it, check out what our reviewers made of #mjf2026!

We had so much fun jazzin’ up your summer & just as much fun reliving the experience through such lovely feedback: thank you to all the wonderful reviewers for their support! ☀️

Save the date for #mjf2027: 21 - 30 may 2027

📸 @anaclicks , @chunkyphoto , @ailishpix , @rinasrabonianphotography

🚨 Artist Submissions are now open 🚨 Calling all j

🚨 Artist Submissions are now open 🚨

Calling all jazz artists from the UK & beyond, join manchester’s longest running music festival 👉 link in the bio to apply

As a pioneer of open submissions, they still play a pivotal role in our diverse, genre-pushing & contemporary programme 🎶

Deadline: 11th September, midnight

📸 @ailishpix

#mjfartists2026 #mjf2026

And just like that we are back! Applications curre

And just like that we are back! Applications currently open to join our youth advisory board for the next 3 years!

👉 application form available at the link in the bio
⏰ deadline: Friday 26th June @ midnight

Are you 18-25 and based in commuting distance of Greater Manchester? Want to understand the inner workings of a music festival? Keen to enter the industry but not sure where to start (or perhaps what role you’d like to play?) - we’ve got you covered! 🫶

Previous YAB members have gone on to:
🎪 programme their own night @firststreetmcr as part of our festival
🎤 held industry insight evenings, interviewing leading creatives in the jazz sector
👯‍♀️ taken part in shadowing opportunities with mjf staff over the festival period

📸 @pixelhivemedia

#mjftalent #mjf2026 #youthadvisoryboard

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