The full programme for the manchester jazz festival (mjf) is announced, and tickets are on sale. CEO and Artistic Director Steve Mead notes: “mjf is acknowledged for championing northern talent, under-the-radar artists and debuts of new music, as well as bringing some big names to Manchester, and of course for celebrating the diversity of our music and its artists. This year, I’m especially pleased to be able to welcome international artists back to mjf after 5 years, with a host of UK debuts and special collaborations, notably with France and Ireland, but also featuring Norway, Finland, and Germany.” Full Press release below.
(PRESS RELEASE BEGINS)
manchester jazz festival is back this Summer!
- manchester jazz festival (mjf) is back for 10 days of jam-packed festival fun and musical vibes across the city this May!
- mjf2024 will take place between 17-26 May 2024 at venues and sites across Manchester, celebrating the latest up and coming talent from across the North, and the best names in contemporary jazz.
- Headliners include: John Surman, Courtney Pine, Laura Misch, Nikki Iles, Tim Garland, Sarāb, Julian Joseph, Laura Jurd, Nubiyan Twist, Daniel Erdmann, Trish Clowes & Ross Stanley and many more…
Building on the success of last year, manchester jazz festival (mjf2024) begins with a spectacular FREE opening weekender at the vibrant neighbourhood: First Street (mjf @ First Street) from 17 – 19 May. There will be three event stages: Main Stage, Ask Garden Stage and HOME stage, each celebrating the breadth and individuality of our home-grown scene and beyond: bands emerging through our artist development programmes, alongside national and international talent, plus family-friendly activities and food & drink.
There are three new venue partners for this year: The Deaf Institute (The Lodge), Stoller Hall and The Carlton Club in Whalley Range, alongside mjf regulars and returning venues: St Ann’s Church, Matt & Phreds, RNCM, Forsyth Music Shop and the festival closes with an extended weekend-long party at Band on the Wall. mjf is also hosting a new mjf originals commission Séance – a moving musical performance, transforming The Deaf Institute into a space for connection. Built around voicemail messages from lost loved ones, artists Verity Watts and Rosie Parsons, will invite audiences to come together over shared experiences of loss and grief.
The mjf piano trail is also making a comeback! manchester jazz festival and Forsyth Music Shop have joined forces once again for the mjf2024 piano trail: to find Manchester’s hidden talents across a trail of 12 street pianos at locations across Manchester city centre. From 18 April – 26 May, the mjf piano trail encourages everyone to get creative and share their talent and for those who want to take part, there’s a chance to enter a competition to win a Yamaha P-45B piano and many more prizes. More information to be announced soon…
Ticket prices range from FREE to £30 but there’s plenty of free-to-access music and activities taking place at locations across the city centre, including the whole of the opening weekender: mjf @ First Street.
manchester jazz festival has also reinstated its international programme and have been working hard to overcome the challenges of the last four years posed by the pandemic and Brexit. mjf have struck up new partnerships with near neighbours in Ireland and France to bring audiences co-commissions and UK debuts, including two French bands touring by train to reduce their carbon footprint, thanks to Europe Jazz Network’s Green Pilot Tours. mjf hopes to inspire its audiences to match their commitment and attend via green travel.
As well as artists from Norway, Finland, Germany and Denmark, mjf also began an exciting new artistic collaboration with Centre National de la Musique (CNM) in Paris and Glasshouse ICM (formerly Sage Gateshead) for French and northern UK artists to collaborate on new music for the festival.
************************************************
Highlights of the festival programme are as follows:
- The Deaf Institute, The Lodge 16 May
Just before mjf2024 starts, there’s a special trailblazer event on 16 May: Séance – a moving musical performance, transforming the The Deaf Institute into a space for connection.
- mjf @ First Street, 17 – 19 May
Artists performing at First Street include: Mangorata, Gaz Hughes Trio, Secret Night Gang, Maja Mannilla Trio, A Hologram Maze, Amy Gadiaga Quintet, Conor Michael & The GreensKeepers, Thanda Gumede & Friends, Atatu Trio, Hoda Jahanpour & Pedraum Agahi, Claire Victoria Roberts, Sonic Threads, Meilana Gillard: RBG Trio, m.oe, AJB3, Floorkin, Archipelego, Amy Thatcher & Francesca Knowles and the Jazz North Northern Line Showcase on Sunday 19 May, featuring: Ceitidh Mac, Bryony Jarman-Pinto, Dirty Freud, Tom Harris and Vipertime.
As well as some of the North’s leading artists gracing the Main Stage on Friday and Saturday (17 – 18 May), some of Greater Manchester’s 18-25 year-old bands from mjf’s Soundcheck talent development programme, and a selection of mjf Hothouse alumni artists, will perform on the Ask Garden Stage. On Sunday (19 May), mjf partners with Jazz North to present the Northern Line touring support scheme showcase: profiling five acts selected by industry leaders.
- RNCM 18 & 25 May
Nikki Iles Jazz Orchestra, John Surman: Words Unspoken
- The Carlton Club, 20 – 22 May
The Wagon Train + Maja Bugge, with Evans and Gregory: SORTLAND, Daniel Erdmann’s Thérapie de Couple,
Gypsies of Bohemia, Kemani Anderson, Band Pres Llareggub Brass Band, M&P x mjf Open Jam (led by Johnny Hunter), Slow Down Motion, The Mudez Project, The Gelatos, The Vinyl Steppers, plus more to be announced…
- St Ann’s Church, 24 May
Trish Clowes & Ross Stanley, an impressive duo interacting brilliantly with both energy and delicacy.
- Forsyth Music, 24 May
UK jazz piano legend Julian Joseph
- The Stoller Hall 24 May
Tim Garland’s Lighthouse Trio on its 20th anniversary tour.
- Band on the Wall, 23 – 26 May
Courtney Pine, Nubiyan Twist, Adam Ben Ezra, Nu Genea x Mr Scruff take over x Me Gusta, Laura Misch, Laura Jurd’s Big Friendly Band, Sarāb, Close Counters, Fallen Flags, D’Accord!, Awen Ensemble, Bianca Gannon Ensemble, Carole Nelson Trio, Black Hudu (DJ set).
************************************************
Steve Mead, mjf CEO and Artistic Director, said: “We can’t wait to welcome you back to our 10-day festival – the 29th mjf – to share some hugely inspiring artists with a host of venues and partners across the city.
mjf is acknowledged for championing northern talent, under-the-radar artists and debuts of new music, as well as bringing some big names to Manchester, and of course for celebrating the diversity of our music and its artists. This year, I’m especially pleased to be able to welcome international artists back to mjf after 5 years, with a host of UK debuts and special collaborations, notably with France and Ireland, but also featuring Norway, Finland, and Germany.
For many, mjf is the sound of surprise – it’s the sound we love and we hope you will too. We can’t wait for you to join us.”
mjf2024 will take place from 17 – 26 May 2024 in venues across Manchester city centre. Tickets go on sale at 10am on 16 February at
[PRESS RELEASE ENDS]
Core Funders and Festival Sponsors:
Arts Council England, Manchester City Council, PRS for Music Foundation and Greater Manchester Combined Authority, First Street, Ask, Forsyth’s Music Shop, Yamaha
