Jazz North’s leading live talent development programme, Northern Line, is seeking the north’s best jazz talent. Now celebrating its 10th year, the live music scheme offers jazz artists bursaries of £3000 and features a showcase at Manchester Jazz Festival.

Northern Line is the leading live development programme for jazz and jazz-inspired artists in the North of England. Northern Line involves intensive 121 support, mentoring, networking, marketing support and industry upskilling. Artists applying to the scheme are awarded bursaries of up to £3000 to support their live touring.

Chris Bye, Jazz North CEO, says :“Northern Line is a roster representing 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. Whether you are Afrobeat, Electronic, Soul, Nu-Jazz, RnB, Instrumentalist or MC, if you have that passion, individuality and drive, then get involved.”

With a roster selected by an independent panel of UK-wide industry experts, Northern Line is a sector-leading, 18-month programme, offering unique opportunities and transformative support. Successful applicants will perform at the Northern Line Showcase at Manchester Jazz Festival on Sunday 21st May 2023 in front of a public audience and invited music industry guests.

Manchester Jazz Festival is the North’s largest jazz festival, with a reputation for fostering rising jazz talent through their own bespoke development schemes and innovative events programme.

Steve Mead, mjf’s Artistic Director, says: “I’m delighted to be welcoming the Northern Line showcase back to mjf. Partnering with Jazz North means both organisations can celebrate our shared passions for championing the very best in northern talent. The showcase day is always an exciting event and a great way for festival audiences to discover and enjoy a broad range of artists in a free and welcoming environment.”

Artists on our previous and current rosters include Jazz FM nominated Archipelago, TC & The Groove Family, Nishla Smith Quintet, Stuart McCallum, Maja Bugge, Shatners Bassoon, John Pope Quintet, New York Brass Band, Nicola Farnon Trio, Skeltr, Ubunye and Parliamentary Jazz Award winner, Zoe Gilby Quartet.

Faye MacCalman, of Jazz FM Award nominated Archipelago, says:

“Being on Northern Line enabled me to make lasting connections beyond ones I could make on my own, and allowed me to test out different venues at a developmental stage for my band 'Archipelago', in turn giving me the agency, confidence and tools as an independent artist to self manage and tour on our own terms.”

Jazz North is committed to supporting the incredible variety of people, places and genres across the breadth of the North. The organisation wholeheartedly believes that the scene is only made stronger by celebrating diversity in all its forms and creating places for artists to thrive in the North. 

Northern Line opens for applications on 20th February. Applications close at midday on Monday 20th March 2023.

Visit www.jazznorth.org/opportunities to find out more and apply on 20th February.

Welcome to the second episode of our brand-new podcast series’ The Notes Between’ with Lara Eidi. Conversations exploring everything behind and about the world of songwriting! Our theme music ‘Opened Eyes’ is from Lara Eidi herself available here

In this second episode, Lara talks to songwriter Daisy Chute. Available on Spotify Apple and Anchor

Daisy Chute is a London-based folk singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist originally from Edinburgh, Scotland.Following the release of acclaimed EPs Songs of Solace (2021) and Cradle Songs (2022), Daisy is set to release her next EP Maiden, Mother, Crone in Spring 2023 and an album later this year. Headline touring in 2022 included arts venues Kings Place (London) The Met (Bury) Voodoo Rooms (Edinburgh) and festivals including Bristol Folk, Cambridge Folk and Glastonbury; in 2023 Daisy co-headlines a tour with Flo Perlin/Fern Maddie.

2022 artist residencies included Sage Gateshead Summer Studios and Chris Difford songwriting retreat. Her Arts Council funded musical about Pendle witch trials COVEN had its first workshop with Kindred Partners. Daisy’s music features across local/national BBC radio/TV and globally across 900 Caffe Nero playlists. Recent awards include FATEA EP of 2022 for Songs of Solace, Take the Stage (Lowden Guitar) RootsTech (Kawai pianos), Coffee Music Project, International Songwriting Award and Drake Yolanda. Daisy Chute website

Lara Eidi is an artist that thrives on being different.  Born in Athens Lebanese-Canadian parents, her entire life and career is that of a  singer-songwriter, multidisciplinary artist, educator and writer. Undefined by style, Lara’s music has earned her own unique place in the music world as a storyteller, jazz and folk singer, composer and recording artist heard at venues in London including the Barbican, St Martins in the Fields, Green Note, Edinburgh Festival, Beirut International Festival to name a few. Born in Athens  to Lebanese-Canadian parents, her music has gained her critical acclaim as an artist with a truly unique voice (BBC Artist, 2020- 2021), who manages to shift between musical styles and vocations owed to her diverse background as a singer ( Guildhall School of Music and Drama ); writer ( English Literature from the University of St. Andrews) and educator. Lara's passion and artistry comes from a pure and authentic drive to connect with audience members as well as students, creating a space where the healing power of music can be felt by all.  Recently supported by Hawkwood College and the Francis W Reckitt Arts Trust, Lara is set to record her new album in Spring 2023, and has just launched her very first podcast on songwriting 'The Notes Between' with Women in Jazz Media.  Finally, her passion for music as a life choice has led her to become an in demand educator, offering workshops at leading music institutions as well as community spaces in Europe. 

"Lara Eidi is one of those singers who connects with the audience as soon as she starts to sing. Perhaps psychologists can explain the gift – and it is a gift "Sandy Brown Jazz- London

Lara Eidi website

Welcome to our latest episode of ‘In Conversation With’ featuring music from Hannah Horton! You can find our podcasts at number 9 in the top 60 Best Jazz Podcasts in FeedSpot! In this episode, host Hannah Horton welcomes our special guest, Romarna Campbell! You can listen here

Romarna’s musical storytelling begins with the drums. The nomadic spirit of this exciting drummer, producer and composer lives in her jazz and hip hop-infused music. Her irrepressible energy can be heard on Inherently Political, a super-charged sonic assault on racism that immediately won favour with Anne Frankenstein, Jazz FM’s Tony Minvielle and had her crowned by Jamz Supernova as New Name of the Week. 

Her independently released kaleidoscopic debut 25 Songs For My 25th Birthday features Soweto Kinch, Tomeka Reid, Sumi Tonooka and Lady Sanity and takes us deeper into her world of resonant frequencies and conscious vibrations. Having honed her craft with Berklee College of Music, Tomorrow's Warriors and the Notebenders, Romarna stands on the shoulders of giants and is drawing inspiration from the view as she beats a path forward that is very much her own.

Hannah is a British Female Jazz Saxophonist whose music is rooted in jazz, folk and funk. She has performed with many great jazz artists including Ian Shaw, Amy Winehouse, John Etheridge, Tina May, Georgia Mancio, Polly Gibbons, Natalie Williams, Esther Bennett and Irene Serra; and at venues including Ronnie Scott’s, Pizza Express Dean St, The 606, The Pheasantry, Love Supreme Jazz Festival, Royal Festival Hall and The Barbican. She has also toured in Europe and USA with her own and other groups. Her latest album has been going down a storm across the world.

“Hannah makes the big beast of a baritone sax sound like an angel” – Ian Shaw

Welcome to our monthly team news! We like to share some of the work the team have been doing both inside and outside of their Women in Jazz media work and we have all been very busy as always.

Shout out to team member Isabel Marquez for curating our latest Women in Jazz Media playlist features, as always, a brilliant selection of women, do have a listen here and as always, do support by purchasing music when you can.

Hannah Horton’s latest ‘In Conversation’ podcast episode features Faye Patton, which you can find here. Next episode with Romarna Campbell, coming very soon!

Our latest magazine came out just before Christmas, full of of inspirational women – you can read it here

Monika S Jakubowska has been busy as always as one of the house photographers at Ronnie Scott’s. Jan 10th was all about raising funds for the Ronnie Scott's Charitable Foundation. Here is a fab shot!

Lara Eidi tells us about her ‘Monday Morning Sing’ sessions, which can be booked here

It's Monday! You're still vibing off that sweet Sunday joy. You're hoping to carry a little bit of that with you. So what do you do? You sing of course! You move! You warm up your voice and transform yourselves into vibrant singing beings! Whether you're a singer, professional, actor or someone who secretly loves to sing, this 4 week course is perfect for you. Half an hour of voice, movement, breath and song. 

Details:

Singer -songwriter and Jazz Vocalist Lara Eidi invites you to a weekly creative vocal and singing session of the ultimate singers delight: breath, and movement. Each week we will shift through playful, encouraging and creative guides that help us connect to our physical and emotional selves through a weekly practise. This is open to all abilities, from beginner to professional ! Participants will have the opportunity to explore their voice in ways which re-shape the traditional vocal path by way of engaging collaborative soundscapes filled with melodic and rhythmic play. The workshop is liaised with Lara's educational platform PhonicaMusic Coaching.

Recent Testimonial :

"Hand on heart, Lara is one of my absolute favourite singing teachers, and I have had a LOT of good singing teachers! She is so kind, loving, encouraging, and super talented, and her classes are always a joy to be part of. She is so supportive, especially if you are a shy singer, I was petrified to sing on my own but Lara was so kind, and supportive that I felt comfortable in her presence to at least give it a go. She will give you constructive feedback that will take your singing to the next level. Small challenges to push you gently out of your comfort zone but also a lot of fun too! I was so lucky to be taught by Lara while I lived in London and we had the most fun singing lessons, trying new things, and building my confidence. Cannot recommend her enough! 5-star review, Naomi Manley, Student at City Academy 

To find out more about Lara, do visit her website here

The latest episode in Migdalia Van Der Hoven’s ‘Stick and Thrones’ series is now out! Migdalia talks to the brilliant Abbie Finn. You can listen here

Following publication of her fabulous online magazine ‘Brighter Tomorrow’ – A Tribute to The Arts, **Kim Cypher **continues with this vast project celebrating all who contribute to our brighter tomorrow for The Arts. Next up is a selection of new original music, born out of lockdown and tracking the journey from an initial need for reassurance that everything is going to be OK right up to now as we head towards a brighter tomorrow. You can sample the tracks here

‘Gonna Be Alright, Gonna Be OK’ released on all platforms on 20th January. ‘Tomorrow’s Song’ releases on 3rd February and a very special ‘live’ vocal version of ‘Tomorrow’s Song’ featuring one of the UK’s greatest jazz performers Liane Carroll, releases on 24th February together with a video filmed at London’s 606 Club. You can join the video premiere at 2.00pm on 24th February here

More new music featuring some very special guest performers coming soon! 

Meanwhile, the ‘Brighter Tomorrow’ Tour continues with new dates to be confirmed. The tour launched at London’s Crazy Coqs last year and has so far included sell-out shows to very appreciative audiences at jazz venues across the UK. 

If you would like to celebrate your own contribution to our brighter tomorrow for The Arts and be part of an incredible community of like-minded creatives, please share your news / projects on socials using the hashtag #brightertomorrowforthearts 

Hannah Horton has launched her new ‘The Swinging Cat Jazz Club’ initiative. You can read all about it here.

Hannah is also busying touring the UK performing to packed houses!

Feb 3rd - Hannah Horton Quartet ‘Inside Out’. St Peter’s by the Waterfront, Ipswich. Click here for tickets.

Feb 5th - Jazz at the Cottage Valentine livestream. 19:30. Hannah Horton Duo feat. Tim Lapthorn on piano. Click here for tickets.

Feb 11th – Hannah Horton Quartet ‘In Motion’ Toulouse Lautrec Jazz Club, London.  Click here for tickets.

As well as her recent reviews and articles, including our very own Sandra Booker (click here) Isabel Marquez has recently started at a new job with the Music Relief Foundation, a small music charity based in Croydon offering affordable music lessons and schemes to families across the borough. We hope to combine the efforts of MRF and Women in Jazz Media as the year goes on, to increase music accessibility and teaching to everyone. 
She also continues to write for both Jazz Views and Jazz Europe, and is reaching out to several women across the jazz scene, writing more interview and opinion pieces. Click here to see her portfolio

Critically acclaimed, star of UK jazz, Hannah Horton brings her funk, soul and passion to Haverhill Arts!

The Haverhill Arts Centre, previously the Town Hall, has been a crucial part of community life since 1882, where the people of Haverhill have always been able to go to live music performances, hear lectures, play chess and avail themselves of the books and newspapers in the reading room. Now a thriving Arts Centre, Haverhill is about to be part of something very special indeed.

Saxophonist and composer Hannah Horton will be hosting her own jazz club the ‘Swinging Cat’ at the Arts Centre, and is already causing a significant buzz in the jazz industry. As a Selmer UK sax ambassador, Hannah is no stranger to great performances and has played at the world famous Ronnie Scott’s, the 606 club, the RFH, the Barbican and with a diverse range of the UK’s leading jazz artists such as Ian Shaw, Amy Winehouse, John Etheridge, Nigel Price and Georgia Mancio.

Hannah has already established her innovative monthly ‘Jazz in the Cottage’ live stream series which has seen an exceptional line up of guest including Parliamentary jazz award nominee Jo Harrop, multi award winning Fiona Ross and UK’s favourite Esther Bennett. Keen to bring international standard jazz music to her club, with A-list guests as well supporting up-coming artists with something to say, Hannah is an artist who has carved her own unique sound and vision and as Ian Shaw famously said she ‘makes the big beast baritone sax sound like an angel’. Supporting artists and the community has always been a driving force behind Hannah’s work and as a member of the award-winning Women in Jazz Media organisation, as well as leading the brilliant J Steps initiative, she is keen to showcase women artists at the club.

 ‘This is a brilliant opportunity to put Haverhill on the jazz map. Fabulous live jazz doesn’t have to be seen in the big smoke! Jazz artists love to share their music with audiences worldwide and HAC is the perfect venue. The Swinging Cat’s vibe is intimate yet cool, and has the perfect atmosphere for an evening of exceptional and international jazz. I am so excited and cannot wait to let you know some of the amazing artists booked for 2023’

As the Jazz Artist in Residence, Hannah will be bringing her highly acclaimed quartet which includes Tim Lapthorn on piano, Rob Statham on bass and Nic France on drums – fantastic on their own and always giving great support to their guests. They’ve played together for over 10 years, know each other’s every move, and have great synergy and musicianship. Regularly performing to sold out crowds across the UK, this is a fantastic opportunity to bring this special line up to Haverhill. Not to be missed!

Launching with Natalie Williams on April 29th!

Tickets and more info here

The Evolution of Women in Jazz in Wales

This exciting performance features an all-female line up of jazz musicians from Wales, performing original compositions and jazz standards by female artists and composers. The show will explore the story of women in jazz in Wales past and present through film, narration and music.

Thursday February 9th 2023 Tickets available here

As a result of the 2020 COVID lockdown, James Chadwick, jazz guitarist and educator based in Cardiff, who had set up a Facebook page called Jazz in South Wales, started asking jazz musicians to send recording of themselves playing, which he then posted as daily performances for 18 months. This stimulated connections and reconnections between musicians in the community and led to a Zoom meeting to discuss the state of Jazz in South Wales before COVID and what it might look like afterwards. It was decided that with the support of the RWCMD, an application to ACW would be made to run a Connect and Flourish, Research and Development project for a year. The successful application resulted in Archwilwyr Jazz Explorers, a year-long project running in North, West and South Wales, each with a different focus- community, education and diversity, but all with the aim of developing links, partnerships and work opportunities for Wales based jazz musicians. The project began in July, with a partnership with Aberystwyth Music Festival who piloted a fringe jazz line up to their Classical programme. In September, an education project was launched in North Wales, working with three music services, Galeri in Caernarfon and a group of recent RWCMD graduates, exploring jazz concepts, improvisation and performance. The final element is the Women in Jazz project, delivered through a partnership between Black Mountain Jazz and the newly refurbished Borough Theatre in Abergavenny.

Black Mountain Jazz are a very active focal point for jazz performances in Abergavenny and the Borough Theatre is an important venue that has been closed for a considerable refurbishment investment. Bringing together these two organisations has been a positive experience for both parties and has led to the development of the Women in Jazz showcase, which will take place at the Borough Theatre on 9th Feb. This exciting performance features an all-female line up of jazz musicians from Wales, performing original compositions and some jazz standards by female artists and composers. The show will explore the story of women in jazz in Wales, past and present through film, narration and music. The performance features a range of musicians from those established on the jazz scene, to those just starting out and include Head of Jazz at RWCMD, Paula Gardiner, Bass and guitar; Liz Exell, Drums; Llanelli based Deborah Glenister, Piano/Sax; North Wales based Maria Lamburn, Bass clarinet/Viola; Xenia Porteous, Violin; Jane Williams, voice/ukulele; Siobhan Waters, voice. The musicians were selected from an open call-out and were chosen for their skills and experience as performers and composers. The resulting group of musicians has produced a non-standard line-up affording some unusual instrumental and vocal combinations. Through discussion, it has emerged that new music, written and improvised by the musicians, will be the main element of the performance in February. The performance will be underpinned by a film exploring the musicians’ personal jazz journeys and supported by an exhibition looking at the history of Women in Jazz in Wales, written by Nigel Jarrett and including display elements from Jazz Heritage Wales.