Northern Line
Jazz North’s answer to live touring support for Northern artists. The programme champions the most pioneering, bold and innovative artists across the scene. It’s a roster of the best new talent, recognised by promoters, festivals, funders and management.
The 18-month programme supports northern artists to reach the next stage of their live performance career and meet their ambitions through targeted 1:1 support and network development.
5 bands from jazz and jazz-related genres are selected each year through an open application and rigorous selection process using a panel of independent industry experts from across the UK.
Find out more about all active Northern Line artists below:
For artist bookings/availability, please refer to the following key:
** available for performances until December 2025
*** available for performances between September 2025-December 2026, booking from 1st May 2025
**** supported activity completed
For enquiries, please email heather@jazznorth.org.
You may also contact artists directly.
Ellen Beth Abdi
Mancunian music-maker Ellen Beth Abdi uses live loops, pokey drums, undulating synths and quietly subversive lyrics to mould her unique sound. ‘Potent and lyrical electronic soul with a social conscience. For the thinkers and the movers of this dimension and others’.
Ellen’s enchanting and distinctive sound has gained her spots at Manchester International Festival, and support slots for Olivia Dean, Hollie Cooke, Ishmael Ensemble, Oscar Jerome and Allysha Joy. She was invited to collaborate live with music legend Angélique Kidjo, opening Aviva Studios for Manchester International Festival 2023.
*** see availability key
X
TikTok
Website
Ex-Easter Island Head
Benjamin D. Duvall, Benjamin Fair, Jonathan Hering, Andrew PM Hunt
Experimental musical collective composing and performing music for solid body electric guitar, percussion and other instruments. The group plays multiple electric guitars augmented through mechanical preparations and extended techniques, creating hypnotic performances rich in repetition, shimmering drones and melodic invention through purposefully limited means.
The group’s latest album Norther (2024) was named album of the year by The Quietus. The Guardian described their music as “amongst the boldest experiments in British music”.
*** see availability key
Youtube
youtube.com/@Ex-EasterIslandHead-ed1uz
facebook.com/exeasterislandhead
Blue Sky
bsky.app/profile/eeih.bsky.social
Bandcamp
The Exu
James Mainwairing, Emil Karlsen, Dave Kane
The Exu is a powerful Leeds-based Anglo, Celtic, Scandi trio that redefines contemporary jazz with raw improvisation and deep, grungy, rocky attitudes. Featuring Mercury Prize-nominated saxophonist James Mainwaring, renowned bassist Dave Kane, and rising star drummer Emil Karlsen, their debut self-titled album blends jazz, rock, and improvisation. Fans of Gard Nilssen Acoustic Unity, Fly Trio, and The Thing will resonate with their boundary-breaking sound.
*** see availability key
Website
Bandcamp
Ferg’s Imaginary Big Band
Ferg’s Imaginary Big Band is an organic and fluid ensemble of young jazz musicians drawn from across the Leeds and wider UK jazz scene. The band’s origins were as an informal five piece Sun Ra tribute project but quickly grew into a dynamic 25+ strong musical force with a reputation for energetic live performances and experimental arrangements.
Winners of 2023 The Peter Whittingham Jazz Award they have played shows at Manchester, Leeds, Lancaster and London Jazz Festivals and Love Supreme.
*** see availability key
instagram.com/fergsimaginarybigband
Record label
Bandcamp
Amy Thatcher & Francesca Knowles
'Envelope-pushing' accordion and percussion duo Thatcher and Knowles defy the preconceptions of what their instruments can do, breaking with tradition while tactfully adopting it as a foundation for playful experimentation. Their sensitive and dynamic live show incorporates drums, synths, keys and vocals in an unapologetic brew of colourful and creative composition. Their debut album ‘Emergency of the Female Kind’ showcases a spectrum of human-ness and the pair's undaunted attitude to kicking off a genre revolution, and in 2025 they bring exciting new music to the forefront.
‘Brimming with invention and energy. Together they’re dynamite’ - The Crack. ‘Perverse, and often fantastic’ - MOJO
*** see availability key
Website
Bandcamp
Ceitidh Mac
With a progressive twist to her music, Ceitidh Mac is an alternative singing/cellist, tipped by Jude Rogers as a ‘Fascinating Welsh-born, Tyneside-dwelling singer-songwriter & cellist, with an unusual, stunning voice.’ Absorbing in its originality, Ceitidh Mac creates songs that soar with contemporary arrangements & unusual instrumentation. A mesmerising live show, expect to be drawn in by bold songs & cello basslines. In Adam Walton’s words on BBC Radio Wales ‘Sublime & absolutely outstanding’.
** see availability key
X
Website
Tom Harris
Tom Harris is a northern pianist who tries his best to make interesting music with kind people.
His heartfelt compositions explore mental health, masculinity, acceptance, and joy, all filtered through the musical influence of his favourite artists (Nina Simone, Snowpoet, Cécile McLorin Salvant).
Tom's latest offering takes inspiration from Buddleia - the vibrant purple shrub which thrives in ‘ugly’ places. It’s tough, beautiful, and a reminder that some version of life will always persevere…
** see availability key
instagram.com/tomharrisisacommonname
YouTube
youtube.com/@tomharrisisacommonname
facebook.com/tomharrisisacommonname
Website
Northern Line Round 8 Showcase took place at Hull Jazz Festival in November 2022.