Latest News
Latest Northern Line artists revealed
Jazz North announces its latest roster of Northern Line - the live talent development programme for jazz across the North - Amy Thatcher & Francesca Knowles, Ferg’s Imaginary Big Band, Ex-Easter Island Head, Ellen Beth Abdi & The Exu make up the cohort of northern artists to watch.
Education Forum: Focus on Youth Jazz Orchestras
The Education Forum focused on the conclusion of a significant project funded by Arts Council, which involved commissioning 10 British jazz composers to create new pieces for 10 youth jazz orchestras across northern England.
Celebrating 7 Years ‘Jazz Camp for Girls’ in the UK
8 ‘Jazz Camp for Girls’ events will be taking place across the north over the weekend of 8th-9th March 2025. Camps will be taking place in Beverley, Doncaster, Gateshead, Grimsby, Lancaster, Leeds, Penrith and Sale.
How we support music educators across the North!
159 people have now subscribed to the Learning Resources Area of the Jazz North website since launching in October. It’s free to create an account and access our free and downloadable resources. As planned, a fresh batch of activities have now been added to the area and we are keen to hear from people that have tried using any of the materials in their various teaching situations.
Youth Jazz Orchestra Commissions project enters the next stage
The Youth Jazz Orchestra Commissions starts 2025 ready for the next stage of the project. All ten YJOs have had the commissioned works for about 9 months now. Lots of band leaders have been in touch to say how brilliant it was to have the composers working with their young musicians and I hope those sessions have been inspiring and memorable for the young band members.
National 9 date tour for Vipertime in Jan / Feb 2025
Northern Line artists Vipertime are heading out on a national 9 date tour starting at the end of January 2025. Leeds’ aggro-jazz quartet Vipertime have Iggy Pop as one of their fans. On his BBC R6 radio show he said “I wouldn't mind hanging out somewhere where that was going on. I guess I'd have to go to Leeds".
Meet our Northern Line Advisory panel
We change up our panel each year to bring new voices to the room and make sure we’re representing jazz across the sector.
Huge thanks to our panel - they do amazing work for the music industry and support artists from across the scene. Head to the link in our bio to read the ‘Meet the Panel’ blog post and find out more about what they do.
Tight budgets, limited time - free tools to create assets
We want to clue you in on what you can do yourself with handy free tools like Canva. With the help of our brilliant guest, Evie Henderson, we are here to help! Come to our online workshop on Zoom, Mon 16 Dec 11-12pm.
Bringing the Playlist Project to life
On a cold but bright November morning, five musicians arrived at The Nave in Stanningley, Leeds ready to bring Jazz North’s ‘Playlist project’ to life. Led by Learning and Participation project manager Helena Summerfield (alto sax) the band also featured stalwarts of the Northern jazz scene Aaron Wood (trumpet) Graham Maynard (keys), Hamlet Luton (bass) and Caroline Boaden (drums).
What’s new in our touring support programme for northern artists?
Applications are invited for Northern Line, Jazz North’s live touring support programme for northern artists. The artist opportunity offers bursaries of up to £3000, a showcase at manchester jazz festival and dedicated 1:1 support.
Jazz North launches new initiative to encourage improvisation in schools
One of the challenges facing music educators is finding reliable resources; when time and money is at a premium it is often tempting to stay with ‘old favourites’ rather than trying something new.
Emerging Artist Toolkit
You’ve formed your band, written some music, got a set together, done a few local gigs…what next? This toolkit will help you begin to navigate your journey through the live music sector.
Seven Promoters making a difference to the northern jazz scene
Jazz North announces the seven promoters awarded bursaries to present emerging artists in their programmes through its support scheme, New Northern.
Education highlights from the Europe Jazz Conference 2024
It certainly feels as though the European jazz community is committed to making a more just, inclusive and balanced music industry and one that I am proud to be a part of.
Is there too much improvisation in the Model Music Curriculum?
I recently counted up the references to ‘improvisation’ in the Model Music Curriculum. I spotted a total of 29. Is this too much? To a jazz enthusiast this is music to my ears (excuse the pun) but it raises questions of how a non music specialist primary school teacher or a less confident improvising music tutor would find these activities.
5 Top Tips for applying to New Northern
If you're a jazz promoter living and working in the north of England you now have 5 days left to apply to New Northern for a small bursary up to £1000.
Call for new trustees
It’s an exciting time to join Jazz North as we deliver sector-leading programmes such as Northern Line and the award-winning Jazz Camp for Girls. Whatever your background and whatever your story, we would love to hear from you.
A statement from Jazz North
Jazz North is appalled by the racially motivated acts of violence within our communities, including attacks on emergency services and local organisations dedicated to supporting those affected.
Lancaster Jazz Festival x Jazz North: Inspire Artist Conference Day
The Inspire Artist Conference Day creates a space in the Lancaster Jazz Festival where artists can talk about their work, gather knowledge and meet their peers helps build a stronger and more connected jazz community. With some fantastic speakers and topics this will be really valuable to everyone who comes to the day.
Northern jazz promoters are invited to apply for bursaries up to £1000
Jazz North’s latest support scheme welcomes applications from grassroots and independent promoters working in jazz. £1000 bursaries will support fees and costs for northern emerging artists and support acts.