Artists' submissions

mjf was the first festival to launch an open artists’ submission system and this still informs our programme today.

We’re a contemporary jazz festival and we champion artists playing original work – especially those living and working in the north west of England.

We are brave in our programming, constantly on the lookout for up and coming talent, and often give a platform to new and surprising music.

mjf gives priority to:

• contemporary jazz and jazz-related music
• artists based in the north of England (however, we welcome applications from all over the world)
• new and/or original work
• collaborations or work that offers mjf audiences an experience not available elsewhere
• artists who help us present a diverse programme that is representative of our society

mjf2026 artists include:

• Elin Grace
• David Kayode
• Charlie Cooper 
• Ankora 
• Simeon Walker
• Her Revelation
• Calico 
• Tom Cawley 
• Orchestra Mambo
• Outfront 
• Unfurl 
• Manchild 
• Thiara Collective 
• Caraway 
• Dilettante 

previous mjf2025 artists included:

• Jose Dias: 25 in 25: Portuguese Revolution Revisited
• Ben Gaunt
• Cheshire Youth Music for Life Jazz Orchestra
• Deep Cabaret Un
• Elliot Galvin
• Ferg’s Imaginary Big Band
• Jascha Bingham Trio
• May Payne
• Zawedde
• Trees.R.Good
• Yoshizawa
• Young Pilgrims

Artist submissions are closed for mjf2027 – they will reopen, May 2027, for our 2028 festival period. Click here to sign up to our newsletter to be the first to hear about all of our artist opportunities as they come up.