(Press release) Jazz North, development agency
for northern jazz, supports the most dynamic and energetic live artists in the
region, under the banner of its live-touring support scheme, Northern Line.
Today, the organisation announces the
latest roster of artists selected by a panel of esteemed industry experts:
Aaron Casserly Stewart (Vice Chair of Leeds Conservatoire, GRAMMY award-winning
artist, Jazz North Chair), Mariam Rezaei (TUSK, Award-winning turntablist),
Glenn Boulter (Octopus, Full of Noises), Eva Davies (Come Play with Me), Geni
Lamb (PARR Jazz, saxophonist) and Claire Umney (Jazz FM, Artist Manager, Jazz
North board).
Hailing from their respective scenes in
Manchester, Liverpool and Todmorden The KTNA, Maruja, Amique & the Ecstasy, Nat
Sharp presents Marra! and DAYZY are the five bands awarded a place
on the artist touring programme.
Maruja are growing their reputation as one of
the most exciting live acts coming from the Manchester underground, gaining
support from the likes of NME, Glastonbury and BBC 6 Radio music, Maruja’s
shows dazzle fans across the UK and Europe. For a decade they’ve relentlessly
honed their psychedelic jazz-punk craft, poring over every note with a
precision that borders on the obsessive, resulting in an electrifying,
unparalleled live experience.
DAYZY is an exciting new rapper and
singer/songwriter from Liverpool with a raw and melodic sound. His vibe
emanates throwback Hip-Hop mixed with new-skool style and jazz-influenced
creativity, driven by a serious purpose. After a handful of warm up singles
that garnered ardent praise and interest from key tastemakers, he recently
released his new jazz/neo-soul/hip-hop fusion EP, ‘Expectations.’
Nat Sharp (presents Marra!) At the forefront of ’New Weird Britain’
(The Quietus) - a new wave of underground musicians creating immersive worlds
for audiences to participate in - Nat Sharp is a disabled artist from Todmorden
whose practice focuses on pushing the parameters of live music in
non-conventional settings, exploring issues around gender, sexuality, pain and
the body. Her recent work, Marra! is a personal reflection on growing up as a
first generation immigrant in small town Cumbria; a lucid dream set against the
arcane, esoteric rituals and traditions that bubble under the surface of
everyday life.
Amique & The Ecstasy is an exciting, genre-bending band,
drawing influences as rich and diverse as Prince, Free Nationals, John Coltrane
& Jimi Hendrix. Fronted by Amique, the Ecstasy regularly tears the roof off
at Fredericks in their hometown of Liverpool, and a recent impulsive session at
the city’s Motor Museum will result in new music being released this
summer.
RnB duo The KTNA wear their
heart on their sleeve and channel an unapologetically strong, northern spirit
into their craft. Twin sisters born in Kenya, raised and now residing in North
Manchester, they weave their candid lyrics around upbeat and sultry productions
to create music that demands to be noticed.
About Northern
Line
Northern Line is Jazz North’s answer to
live touring support for Northern artists. The programme champions the most
pioneering, bold and innovative artists across the scene. It’s a roster of the
best new talent, recognised by promoters, festivals, funders and management.
The 18-month programme supports
northern artists to reach the next stage of their live performance career and
meet their ambitions through targeted 1:1 support and network
development.
5 bands from jazz and jazz-related
genres are selected each year through an open application and rigorous
selection process using a panel of independent industry experts from across the
UK.
About Jazz North
Jazz North is the Strategic Development
Agency for jazz in the North of England.
Supported since its inception in 2012
by Arts Council England, Jazz North has a national and international reputation
in Artist Development, Sector Support and Learning & Participation.
A registered charity that has developed
and supported hundreds of artists, managers, venues, festivals and promoters
over the years - Jazz North has a proud record of working with and on behalf of
the northern jazz scene.
About Manchester Jazz Festival
Manchester Jazz Festival (mjf) is the
city’s longest-running music festival and champions regional artists and
celebrates musical innovation. This year’s festival takes place from 19-28 May
2023 at venues across Manchester and artists announced for the 2023 festival
include Jazz FM’s Soul Act of the Year, Mica Millar and Bolton-raised
British-Asian clarinettist, Arun Ghosh.
mjf is winner of the 2016 Europe Jazz Network Award for Adventurous Programming and the UK’s first festival signatory to Keychange, supporting a 50/50 gender balance across its stages. They are a Founder Member of the Black Lives in Music charter, 2020, an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation and PRS Foundation Talent Development Partner.
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