News from Jazz North
Educators’ Forum: Intro to Jazz Camp for Girls
Join our November Educators’ Forum, led by programme manager Helena Summerfield, to learn more about our award-winning ‘Jazz Camp for Girls’ project and find out how you could host a camp in 2027.
Jazz Scene Meet-Up @ Durham Jazz Festival (Redhills)
Join members of the Jazz North team on Friday 23rd October from 2.30-5pm in The Banner Room at Redhills, Miners Hall, for a gathering of the North East jazz community. This is an opportunity to connect into the jazz scene, network with peers and learn more about how Jazz North can support your work.
Success on your own terms
Our Leeds Artist Development Day took place at The Attic and was delivered in partnership with Jazz Leeds and Leeds Jazz Festival. The focus was ‘Success on your own terms’ with the sessions aimed at mid-career artists. We wanted to give this often overlooked demographic a well-deserved boost, reminding them that there isn’t just one single definition of success and identifying resources to help navigate an ever changing music industry.
Open call for artists to apply for Jazz North’s live touring support programme, Northern Line
Northern artists are invited to apply to Northern Line - Jazz North’s live touring support programme. Application portal closes on Friday 2 November 2026
Upcoming New Northern gigs
DJ Lubi will use his New Northern bursary to present two exciting emerging artist shows; one celebrating the music and life of Xero Slingsby - one of Leeds' cult jazz musicians and punk jazz pioneers of the 1980s’ - and the second showcasing the growing interest in the Leeds jazz scene for world jazz - Latin jazz, Brazilian jazz, Afro jazz.
Learn more about Jazz North’s Learning & Participation offer
Join our Autumn online Educators’ Forum on Tuesday 22nd September led by Helena Summerfield, Jazz North’s Learning & Participation Manager. The forum will give an overview of Jazz North’s L&P offer and give you an opportunity for all involved in music education to discuss your thoughts, network and learn more about the ways Jazz North can support you during the new academic year.
Artist Development Day in partnership with Leeds Jazz Festival and Jazz Leeds
Are you a northern artist working in (and around) jazz? You’re invited to join us at The Attic in Leeds on Monday 5th October for an informal day of creative collaboration and conversation hosted in partnership with Leeds Jazz Festival and Jazz Leeds.
Jazz North announces the latest recipients of its promoter support scheme, New Northern
Today, Jazz North announces the two jazz festivals and six jazz promoters awarded bursaries to present emerging artists in their programmes through its support scheme, New Northern.
Looking for somewhere to gig in the North of England?
One of the most frequent questions we get asked is where can I get a jazz gig for my band in the North of England? We have created The Northern Jazz Promoter Directory - a curated list of active jazz venues, promoters and festivals across the North of England.
An Artist’s Guide to International Networking
Before travelling to Bremen to attend jazzahead!, Bex (aka Rivkala) had no idea what to expect. This blog is for anyone curious about attending an international jazz conference and whether networking events like this are worth it, how to prepare for and make the most of it.
Strengthening Our Future: Welcoming New Trustees to the Jazz North Board
Our mission has always been driven by the rich talent, vibrant communities and fierce creativity across the North’s music landscape. To ensure we continue championing northern jazz with vision and purpose, we are proud to announce the appointment of three outstanding new members.
6 ways Jazz North supported northern music educators in 2025-26
Jazz North’s Learning & Participation team have been busy during the 2025-26 academic year, supporting northern music educators to explore jazz and improvisation in the classroom and within their professional practice.
Jazz Camp for Girls Summer Camp in Sefton
15 girls attended our summer jazz camp in Sefton run in partnership with the SOUND! Music Hub. Sound! Music Hub covers the areas of Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Warrington.
Wigan Youth Jazz Orchestra 50th Anniversary Celebration
On Saturday 11th July members past and present came together to celebrate 50 years of WYJO - the Wigan Youth Jazz Orchestra - at The Brick Community Stadium in Wigan.
Jazz North team member Helena Summerfield caught up with Ian Darrington before the event to learn more about his time leading the band.
Jazz North announces the latest round of New Northern for 2026/27
Jazz North announces the latest round of New Northern: a grassroots & independent promoter bursary, to support live emerging talent.
Jazz Camp for Girls Comes to Sefton!
Jazz Camp for Girls Comes to Sefton from 21-23 July.
Singin’ in the rain
Even the Manchester rain couldn't dampen the spirits of our incredible Northern Line artists. Each act brought their unique brand of sonic storytelling to the mjf stage as they performed to an enthusiastic showcase audience.
Educators’ Forum meeting: Improvisation pedagogy in the music curriculum with guest Michael Wright
Join our June Educators’ Forum to meet like-minded music educators and continue exploring the importance of improvisation in the classroom. As always, our forums are a safe space to reflect, share ideas and ask questions.
Jazz Day - an international affair
Jazz North team member Helena celebrated International Jazz Day in style with a fantastic group of young musicians at the British International School of Marbella, Spain. During the morning session the young musicians tried improvising in different ways, response to hand gestures and by varying rhythms and finally using pentatonic - 5 note - scales.
Join Our Board
“We are fortunate to have an incredibly engaged, passionate Board of Trustees and the team is looking forward to welcoming a new member. Whatever your background and whatever your story, we would love to hear from you” Chris Bye, CEO Jazz North