We’re proud to introduce the mjf Soundcheck Artists of 2025!
We will spend the next 8 weeks working with 10 of the brightest Greater Manchester-based artists aged under 30 on what will be the sixth round of our talent development programme. With support from mjf, artist mentors within each of the boroughs and experienced industry guests, our 10 selected artists will be encouraged to make new music with improvisation, to take risks, and discover their musical identity. No prior experience in jazz is needed to undertake the programme & the young musicians (spanning a wide range of genres & influences) will instead be learning how this might influence both their practise and music making.
Find out more about the artists, their passions and the aspirations they have for transforming their music over the course of the programme, by hovering over their image below.
Stan Lawrence (He/Him)
Stan is a trumpet player. After graduating from the University of Manchester in 2024, he has worked on cruise ships & plays in various groups, including co-running the jazz fusion group Lick the Moon. In his music he combines contemporary classical techniques with jazz, making peaceful melodies to go with disquieting harmonies, often inspired by nature.
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Macharia Melanie (She/Her)
Made in Kenya, Based in Manchester. Macharia is a singer, songwriter & performer, whose music weaves together Kenyan folk & contemporary music. Her performances are both vulnerable & engaging as she explores identity & belonging while engaging the audience through call & response. Now exploring jazz & improvisation, she hopes that Soundcheck lead her to create a cross-cultural sound rooted in intricate storytelling.
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Benjamin Moss (He/Him)
Benjamin is a trombonist, composer & arrange & has been playing in big bands & jazz ensembles since the age of 12. After completing his undergraduate degree at the University of York he moved to Manchester to study at the RNCM learning from the likes of Carol Jarvis, Iain Dixon & Geth Griffith. He has performed as part of the Buxton International Festival, recorded at Abbey Road Studios & his original compositions have been performed by the RNCM Big Band & Gospel Choir.
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Edane Ng (She/Her)
Edane is a classically trained Malaysian pianist & multidisciplinary artist. A Gold Prize winner of the Asia Music Competition, she has collaborated with artists across genres & performed at venues including the Royal Albert Hall, Factory International & The Lowry. Her musical journey blends classical training with improvisation & visual storytelling.
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Heidi Rose (She/They)
Heidi has been singing since she was a tiny tot growing up in a karaoke loving pub in South Manchester. She’s spent years training in Western classical voice with numerous choirs, though she’s hugely inspired by folk culture from around the globe. It’s only recently that she’s begun writing music of her own, which manifests in a heart-pouring expression of her huge emotions.
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Malakai Skull (They/Them)
Malakai is a proudly neurodivergent, queer, & non-binary artist. A self taught multi-instrumentalist they are perusing composition in University studies. Further interests include social work & political activism. They are currently offering neurodiverse music lessons & believes that everyone, no matter their background, should have access to the wonders of music.
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Adam Snooks (He/Him)
Adam is a rapper & producer with a background in DJ'ing & setting up live venues & studio sessions for local bands. However in recent years he has taken up producing, using his passion for lyricism to begin song writing. A big fan of sub-genres such as Cloud rap, Jazz rap & Boom Bap - these are where he finds most of his inspiration.
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Sylis (They/Them)
Sylis musician & producer focusing on electronic soundscapes. My work explores atmospheric synthesis, generative rhythms, sampling & the intersection of music & computing.
Kathryn Whetter (She/Her)
Kathryn is a singer who has newly embarked on a journey of discovery into the world of songwriting. Her best memories come from being on stage & in her music, she hopes to create, for the kind listeners, a space to play, be free & comfortable in their own skin.
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Xenvi (She/They)
Xenvi is a faceless artist, split between the composer & their alter ego. Their musical journey has been finding their personal style by stripping out the rules, theory & standards of society's modern expectations into a deconstructed, fractal sandwich.
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