Jazz North has announced the new roster of artists for its touring support scheme, Northern Line, as chosen by a jury consisting of John Doran (The Quietus), Claire Umney (Jazz FM), Dennis Rollins MBE (trombonist), Sam Nicholls AKA whiskas (Music:Leeds), Santana Guerot (Band on the Wall), Harkirit Boparai (The Crescent) and Lucy Scott (Sage Gateshead).
The artists are (texts as supplied by Jazz North)
Hannabiell & the Midnight Blue Collective (Newcastle-upon-Tyne): A high energy Afro Fusion Collective fusing powerful and upbeat Latin & African percussion, brass, vocal chants, Blues, Jazz, Afro-beat, Funk, and Reggae to create a unique sound and an invigorating party atmosphere that will get you up on your feet.
Marco Woolf (Manchester): Influenced by the likes of Nick Drake and John Martyn, the music that Marco Woolf makes can prove similarly complex to categorise, his lyrics introspective and insightful – earning him a reputation as a skilled storyteller – though thoughtful instrumentation too is just as crucial to his compositions, clearly considered to ensure it possesses comparable weight to his wording.
Yaatri (Leeds) is an award winning five-piece art-rock/jazz crossover group formed in Leeds in 2018. Their blend of complex composition and ethereal soundscapes captivates the heart as well as the mind. Influenced by the momentum of the rhythms of India, immersive timbres of electronic music, and energy of rock and roll, their music has a strong sense of purpose and journey.
Ni Maxine (Liverpool) is a Neo-Jazz Singer-Songwriter; a black woman navigating the modern world and exploring themes of home, identity, self-esteem and belonging. Ni Maxine’s message is clear: “I want to inspire young people who are having (or had) a similar experience to what I had, growing up, and cultivate community. The algorithm divides us, but we are more powerful when we are united.”
TC & The Groove Family (Leeds), are a 10-piece collective whose music celebrates the coming together of cultures and the unity that music provides. Driven by drummer Tim Cook, their live shows are powerful and dynamic, exploring grooves and genres from the UK and worldwide, including afrobeat, breakbeat, jungle, jazz and highlife.
Nelson Idama AKA MC Nelson (Liverpool) is a rapper and producer that fuses jazzy instrumentation with cutting social commentary and a Scouse sense of humor. With a commanding presence on stage, Nelson embarked on his first UK tour with Punch records in 2018, since then he has performed alongside hip hop legends such as Slum Village, Ghostface Killah, the Pharcyde, Pharoah Monche and many more.
All six bands will perform in a Northern Line Showcase at Hull Jazz Festival in November 2022.
