Latest News
Seven brilliant people you need to know…
Artist applications to Northern Line are assessed by a panel of independent industry experts from across the scene. We change up our panel each year to bring new voices to the room and make sure we’re representing jazz across the sector. This year’s panel: Aisling Doherty, Thomas Rees, Josh Aitman, Ni Maxine, Rianne Thomspon, Bob Walker and David Porter.
How to earn money from your music
Did you know that every time music is publicly played or a copy is made, royalties are generated? If you’ve ever wanted to know how to receive songwriting royalties for live shows or radio plays, or are confused about the difference between PRS, MCPS and PPL, then help is at hand.
A day of connections and realistic conversations
“The Inspire Artist day at Lancaster Jazz Festival was a chance to connect with other musicians and have realistic conversations about sustaining our craft and learn from each other in ways that we usually would have time for in our busy freelance/job juggling lives”. Faye MacCalman
Educator’s Forum with guest Bess Shooter
For this forum we are pleased to have guest Bess Shooter - a music creator and educator and baritone saxophonist with Ferg’s Imaginary Big Band. She is passionate about improvisation, DIY, UK jazz and experimental music scenes. She has worked with More Music and Jazz North’s Jazz Camp for Girls creating equal opportunities in jazz education and making music fun.
Could you help us take care of our digital marketing?
Right now we’re looking for a freelancer who could join our team on a part-time basis (one day per week) to help support the team with the our digital marketing. creation and distribution of marketing materials.
Open call to artists for Jazz North’s live touring support programme
Northern artists are invited to apply to Northern Line - Jazz North’s live touring support programme. Application portal closes on Friday 7 November 2025
Inspire Artist Conference
Our Inspire Artist Conference Day in partnership with Lancaster Jazz Festival is designed for artists - an inspirational day of talks and conversations with 1-2-1 opportunities to connect with funders and industry specialists.
Seven promoters who will be making a difference to emerging talent across the North of England in 2025-26
Jazz North announces the latest recipients of its promoter support scheme, New Northern. The bursaries will support fees and costs for northern emerging artists and support acts. Jazz North stands alongside the vital people who facilitate our local scenes, promote new talent and make up an essential part of the northern night time economy.
How to prepare for your recording session so it runs smoothly
You’ve composed some great tunes and the next step is for your band to record them professionally. Don’t worry if you’ve never been in a studio before, this handy guide created in partnership with Reuben Griffiths, Spring Tank Studios, Sheffield will help to prepare you for your recording session to ensure that it runs as smoothly as possible.
Artist Forum: The challenges and joys of being a band leader
A band is a unique and sometimes complicated relationship, full of different personalities and expectations. Good leadership is key to bringing everyone together, keeping things clear and making sure the whole band is working towards the same bigger goals. Without someone to inspire and guide them, a band can lose its motivation and sense of direction.
If music be the food of love, play on…
The 4-day pilot camp was all that I could have hoped for and more. The girls were super engaged and enthusiastic and grew in confidence throughout the week. This is definitely a model that I will be encouraging our jazz camp partners to adopt in the future.
Let’s talk about stress (baby)
These are stressful times, right? In the music sector, many of us feel more under pressure than we’ve ever done before. And in the world at large, there’s a lot for us to deal with right now. So how can we move from being stressed out to tuned in?
How do you run a record label?
Join our forum with guests Martin Archer from Discus Music and Pete Woodman from Jazz in Britain to hear about the journeys that led to running a label and their approaches to releasing music. As always, our forums are a safe space to reflect, share ideas and ask questions.
Promoting grassroots jazz and need financial help?
New Northern - our bursary to support live emerging talent - is now open! This programme helps northern jazz promoters programme emerging northern jazz talent in their clubs, venues or festivals with bursaries up to £1000.
Jazz Camp for Girls goes international + Summer Camp!
Helena Summerfield recently travelled to Helsinki for the Jazz Camp for Girls summit organised by Suomen Jazzliitto / Finnish Jazz Federation and Jazz Danmark. The summit gave participants the opportunity to share good practice, explore inclusive approaches to music education and possibilities of long-term international cooperation.
How to develop your digital and streaming strategy
Would you believe that a staggering 120,000 new tracks are released on music streaming platforms every day according to a study by Luminate, a music data analysis company. So, how can you maximise the impact of your release and ensure that your music gets to the ‘right’ ears?
New online resources guide to Releasing your Music
A step-by-step guide written by award-winning artist Ni Maxine is a practical guide to help you releasing your music. Available to download for free as a Jazz North online resource
Breaking boundaries - It’s jazz, Jim but not as we know it!
The 2025 Northern Line showcase took place over the opening weekend of the Manchester Jazz Festival (mjf) on 17th-18th May. Northern Line is Jazz North’s answer to live touring support for northern artists and champions the most pioneering, bold and innovative music across the scene.
Jazz Camp for Girls in Sheffield at Spring Tank Studios
Our latest Jazz Camp for Girls took place at Spring Tank Studios in Sheffield. The communal atmosphere and bright aesthetic at the studio helped the girls to feel safe and relaxed which is vital for a workshop focussed on improvisation and developing new skills.
JazzFM Awards: Absence truly and absolutely makes the heart grow fonder
We have missed the Jazz FM awards and on Thursday 24th April, they were back, marking a firm return and stating just how strong the UK jazz scene stands on the global stage. 2025 also represented a pivotal year for the North as Jazz North Northern Line artists were nominated across not one, not two but three key categories.