Artist Forum: The challenges and joys of being a band leader
Tuesday 26th August: 4-5pm on ZOOM
Sign up on EventBrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/jazz-north-artist-forum-the-challenges-and-joys-of-being-a-band-leader-tickets-1521155831039
Is leading a band like being the head of a dysfunctional family? 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.
Being a band leader means wearing many hats. A day in the life of a band leader can include composing and arranging, scheduling rehearsals, booking gigs, managing performance logistics, updating socials and negotiating the temperaments of your band members. It’s certainly not a job for the faint hearted!
“A band is a dysfunctional family. A brotherhood, a family business, and a renaissance-era-court.”
At Jazz North we know that leading a band can also be the most rewarding job in the world and in this month’s forum we are opening up the conversation about the positive and negative aspects of being a band leader. How to approach having difficult conversations with your band members? How do you make sure that everyone is literally and metaphorically ‘singing from the same hymn sheet’?
Sharing their experiences will be two seasoned band leaders, and Northern Line alumni, Hannabiell Sanders and Jamie Stockbridge. As always, our forums are a safe space to reflect, share ideas and ask questions.
Meet our guests
Hannabiell Sanders
Dr. G Hannabiell Sanders is a charismatic multi-instrumentalist, composer, and activist. Her music ignites audiences with a vibrant fusion of brass, African and Latin percussion, and improvisation. As founder of Ladies of Midnight Blue and Hannabiell & Midnight Blue, she uses music to break barriers, foster unity, and inspire social change. Her performances are immersive celebrations of rhythm and identity, blending storytelling and activism. Hannabiell is the Artistic Director of Harambee Pasadia CIC, where she champions collaboration and empowerment through innovative, community-focused programs.
https://www.harambeepasadia.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hannabiell
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannabiell/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hannabiell
Jamie Stockbridge
Jamie Stockbridge is a professional performer, composer, arranger and improviser. Primarily as a Saxophonist, Jamie's performing career has taken him across the UK and Europe both as band leader of Manchester's 12-piece ensemble Agbeko and co-leader of freewheeling non-jazz vagabonds Taupe. As the founder, bandleader and sole composer/lyricist of Agbeko, Jamie has been able to lead this ensemble from mountaintops to basements all across the European Continent. With Taupe, Jamie has performed at jazz festivals, punk clubs and new music venues across the UK and Europe.
https://www.jamiestockbridgemusic.com
Agbeko: https://www.agbeko.co.uk
Taupe: https://taupetaupetaupe.com/