Meet our 2026 Northern Line Panel

Northern Line applications 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.

Makeda Krish

Audio producer, event producer, radio presenter, and DJ. pecialist music producer through her work on leading network programmes on BBC Radio 3, 6Music, and Radio 2; Gilles Peterson, New Music Fix, The Jazz Show with Jamie Cullum, and J to Z. Makeda currently co-produces BBC Radio 3’s flagship jazz show ‘Round Midnight, hosted by Soweto Kinch.

Wesley Stephenson

Developing a passion for jazz whilst working in a record shop, I became exposed to the many engaging facets of the music. Since then I’ve staged hundreds of concerts with Jazz North East in Tyne and Wear, independently establishing the Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music with associated label New Jazz and Improvised Music Recordings. In 2026 I was appointed Jazz Director for Buxton International Festival in the east-midlands.

Grace Pitkin

Grace Pitkin is part of the team at Serious – one of the UK’s leading producers and promoters of Jazz, contemporary and traditional music, as their programming and talent development manager. As well as managing their talent development programme Take Five, she also contributes to their artistic programming across the year including for the EFG London Jazz Festival.

Josh Aitman

Working in creative marketing and brand management, with a focus on community development, storytelling and worldbuilding. Currently Head of Marketing & Sales at We Out Here Festival, he previously spent nine years running Liverpool’s Melodic Distraction Radio. His work centres on nurturing and developing creative brands, telling stories on a community level and connecting people through music, culture and shared experiences.

Nan Brimble

Nan Brimble is a jazz promoter, producer, musician and community broadcaster based in West Yorkshire. She’s is part of the band Gurgles and sings with various jazz bands. She founded YardFest, which promotes grassroots music and regular jazz programming in the north, and is currently co-piloting Jazz Promotion Network's Routes Into Jazz development programme.

Bryony Jarman-Pinto

Lancaster-based singer, songwriter, musician, and Jazz FM Award nominee Bryony Jarman-Pinto seamlessly blends enchanting vocals and thoughtful instrumentation with intricately crafted and personal lyrics, drawing inspiration from soul and folk influences. Bryony’s second album ‘Below Dawn’ navigates sentimental themes, from societal change and untapped emotions to the profound journey of pregnancy and motherhood, the album exudes an aura of intimacy.