Latest News
National 9 date tour for Vipertime in Jan / Feb 2025
Northern Line artists Vipertime are heading out on a national 9 date tour starting at the end of January 2025. Leeds’ aggro-jazz quartet Vipertime have Iggy Pop as one of their fans. On his BBC R6 radio show he said “I wouldn't mind hanging out somewhere where that was going on. I guess I'd have to go to Leeds".
Meet our Northern Line Advisory panel
We change up our panel each year to bring new voices to the room and make sure we’re representing jazz across the sector.
Huge thanks to our panel - they do amazing work for the music industry and support artists from across the scene. Head to the link in our bio to read the ‘Meet the Panel’ blog post and find out more about what they do.
Tight budgets, limited time - free tools to create assets
We want to clue you in on what you can do yourself with handy free tools like Canva. With the help of our brilliant guest, Evie Henderson, we are here to help! Come to our online workshop on Zoom, Mon 16 Dec 11-12pm.
Bringing the Playlist Project to life
On a cold but bright November morning, five musicians arrived at The Nave in Stanningley, Leeds ready to bring Jazz North’s ‘Playlist project’ to life. Led by Learning and Participation project manager Helena Summerfield (alto sax) the band also featured stalwarts of the Northern jazz scene Aaron Wood (trumpet) Graham Maynard (keys), Hamlet Luton (bass) and Caroline Boaden (drums).
What’s new in our touring support programme for northern artists?
Applications are invited for Northern Line, Jazz North’s live touring support programme for northern artists. The artist opportunity offers bursaries of up to £3000, a showcase at manchester jazz festival and dedicated 1:1 support.
Jazz North launches new initiative to encourage improvisation in schools
One of the challenges facing music educators is finding reliable resources; when time and money is at a premium it is often tempting to stay with ‘old favourites’ rather than trying something new.
Emerging Artist Toolkit
You’ve formed your band, written some music, got a set together, done a few local gigs…what next? This toolkit will help you begin to navigate your journey through the live music sector.
Seven Promoters making a difference to the northern jazz scene
Jazz North announces the seven promoters awarded bursaries to present emerging artists in their programmes through its support scheme, New Northern.
Education highlights from the Europe Jazz Conference 2024
It certainly feels as though the European jazz community is committed to making a more just, inclusive and balanced music industry and one that I am proud to be a part of.
Is there too much improvisation in the Model Music Curriculum?
I recently counted up the references to ‘improvisation’ in the Model Music Curriculum. I spotted a total of 29. Is this too much? To a jazz enthusiast this is music to my ears (excuse the pun) but it raises questions of how a non music specialist primary school teacher or a less confident improvising music tutor would find these activities.
5 Top Tips for applying to New Northern
If you're a jazz promoter living and working in the north of England you now have 5 days left to apply to New Northern for a small bursary up to £1000.
Call for new trustees
It’s an exciting time to join Jazz North as we deliver sector-leading programmes such as Northern Line and the award-winning Jazz Camp for Girls. Whatever your background and whatever your story, we would love to hear from you.
A statement from Jazz North
Jazz North is appalled by the racially motivated acts of violence within our communities, including attacks on emergency services and local organisations dedicated to supporting those affected.
Lancaster Jazz Festival x Jazz North: Inspire Artist Conference Day
The Inspire Artist Conference Day creates a space in the Lancaster Jazz Festival where artists can talk about their work, gather knowledge and meet their peers helps build a stronger and more connected jazz community. With some fantastic speakers and topics this will be really valuable to everyone who comes to the day.
Northern jazz promoters are invited to apply for bursaries up to £1000
Jazz North’s latest support scheme welcomes applications from grassroots and independent promoters working in jazz. £1000 bursaries will support fees and costs for northern emerging artists and support acts.
Jazz North Joins the PRS Foundation Talent Development Network
Jazz North’s track-record for unearthing and nurturing exciting, diverse talent means they are well placed to build on their strong reputation nationally.
Jazz North x Launchpad: Emerging Artist Development Day
Jazz North and Launchpad are teaming up to bring you our latest artist networking event on Thu 23 May 2024 at Leeds’ Hyde Park Book Club.
A Guide to ACE National Lottery Project Grants
Here’s our guide for the updated ACE National Lottery Project Grants. Jazz North’s Heather Spencer and Steve Mead take a deep dive into how to make your best application for this highly competitive funding stream.
Jazz North x Brighter Sound: Artist Development Day in Manchester
Jazz North and Brighter Sound are teaming up to bring you a relaxed and informative artist networking event on Wednesday 27th March at one of Manchester's most loved venues for jazz, The Yard.
Five northern jazz artists you really need to know about
“Jazz North does some incredible things well and this is one of them, the chance to learn and grow as artists as well as bouncing ideas off others on the roster will be invaluable.” R10 Northern Line artist Dirty Freud