We support and champion creative musicians – from Greater Manchester, across the north and internationally. mjf offers tailored development schemes and performance opportunities for every career stage, both at the festival and throughout the year. If you’re working in jazz and improvised music – we have something for you.
We are interested in making an impact on artists, so we make sure we invite people onto the right schemes at the right time for them. All of our programmes generate new music, diversify the jazz sector and offer meaningful support where it is most needed.
For a commission to produce a major brand-new piece for the festival, head to mjf originals.
Mid-career artists based in the north, who are encountering barriers to creative development and want to experiment with new musical concepts, might apply to mjf hothouse to take their career to the next level.
There are no upper age limits for originals or hothouse.
If you’re a musician based in Greater Manchester, aged 18-25, and want to explore improvisation for the first time, take a look at Soundcheck.
Artists interested in performing as part of the festival should upload music via our artists’ submissions portal.
mjf is also part of Jerwood Jazz Encounters, a co-commissioning collaboration with Cheltenham Jazz Festival, Sage Gateshead and Oxford Contemporary Music. Four new works – focussing on either digital, or work in the public realm or unusual spaces – are commissioned and presented across the four host partners each year. Applications for this programme are currently closed.
mjf is also part of an international 8-partner consortium of talent development organisations, Constellations – exploring ways for artists to expand their international networks, participate in each organisation’s development programmes, to spark creative exchanges and to attend networking events in each country. Curated by us with fellow members of the Europe Jazz Network, artist opportunities through this scheme will be announced in due course.
Still not sure? Check out our FAQ page!
