Manchester turns to Jazz this weekend in what is promised to be ten days of great music.
Featuring eighty eight different bands across eight venues including taking over Albert Square, now in its nineteenth year, it attracted over 60,000 visitors in 2013.
Festival highlights include: Adam Fairhall’s ‘The Imaginary Delta’ with Jackie Kay, poetry and music coming together in this collaboration with Manchester Literature Festival.
Memphis soul legend Booker T; Manchester’s own Craig Charles’ with his Funk & Soul Club and live music from London Afrobeat Collective; US jazz pioneers The Bad Plus.
The Jazz North northern line showcase celebrating the region’s diverse jazz scene; the return of the Hackney Colliery Band after their sell-out performance in 2012 as well as the award-winning Durham University Big Band; and The Music Place Choir, a 60 strong vocal tour de force, bringing the festival to a close on the final Sunday.
.
Its four bespoke strands also return for 2014: International bringing some of the best international jazz acts to Manchester including 10 UK debuts; Introduces supported by Manchester Arndale, putting the spotlight on the very best young talent from the North West.
Afternoon tea offering jazz in the elegant surroundings of The Midland and The Irwin Mitchell mjf originals series, the commission of a new work every year to be unveiled at the festival.
This year, Article XI, by local guitarist/composer Anton Hunter, will be premiered in the newly renovated Central Library.
The hub of festival activity is the Thwaites Festival Square & Pavilion in Albert Square, with gigs every day from lunchtime until late, roaming acts, the Thwaites Festival Bar and food outlets – this will be the place to meet up and relax with friends and family
The festival’s artistic director, Steve Mead, explains,
The programme will take you on a fascinating journey of discovery through the world of jazz today, featuring the best emerging talent from Manchester and the north, alongside established artists from the UK and overseas. 30 gigs are free and we’re looking forward to welcoming music fans to Manchester to experience some great new music. We are also laying the groundwork for major events and collaborations as part of our 20th anniversary next year.”
Manchester Jazz Festival
July 18th-27th
various locations
See website for more details
