Jazz North have been in touch to tell us about the five “genre-bending, northern-flag-sailing jazz artists” who will form the next cohort for Northern Line – “the live talent development programme for jazz across the North.”
The artists, announced today, are:
*Amy Thatcher & Francesca Knowles – “Envelope-pushing accordion and percussion duo from Newcastle”
*Ferg’s Imaginary Big Band – “An organic and fluid ensemble of young jazz musicians drawn from across the Leeds and wider UK jazz scene.
*Ex-Easter Island Head – Benjamin D. Duvall, Benjamin Fair, Jonathan Hering, Andrew PM Hunt: “Quartet from Liverpool composing and performing music for Prepared Electric Guitar, Percussion + other instruments.”
*Ellen Beth Abdi – producer, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter from Manchester
*The Exu – James Mainwairing, Emil Karlsen, Dave Kane: “Powerful Leeds-based Anglo, Celtic, Scandi trio that redefines contemporary jazz with raw improvisation and deep, grungy, rocky attitudes.”
Jazz North and Manchester Jazz Festival work in partnership, and the full Northern Line roster will perform live at the Northern Line showcase as part of the festival on 17 & 18 May. The selection panel consisted of Rivca Burns, Rob Farhat, Jez Matthews, Hannabiell Sanders, Thomas Rees and Josh Aitman.
