(Press release) Applications are invited for Northern Line, Jazz North’s live touring support programme for northern artists

Northern Line is now open for applications until Wednesday 11th December, 12 noon 

Jazz North, development agency for northern jazz, has been boosting artists’ careers since its inception in 2012. Northern Line is the flagship development programme that takes their live touring careers to the next level. 

This transformational scheme offers northern jazz and jazz-adjacent artists and bands intensive 1:1 career-wide support, industry upskilling and a live touring bursary of up to £3000.

Chris Bye, Jazz North CEO, says:“Jazz North is proud to announce the launch of the latest round of Northern Line. This is the most established development programme for supporting live jazz music in the North and is an invaluable resource for artistic and career development. Wherever you live in the North East, North West, or Yorkshire, if you represent the vibrant, unique sound of the North, then this is your opportunity.”

Marco Woolf, Northern Line  
Round 8 artist.© Stewart Baxter

Past Northern Line artist, Marco Woolf, said: “Northern Line has played a pivotal role in what has been the most transformative period of my career so far. I went into this scheme with a head full of ideas but not so much clarity but being able to sit with Jazz North to talk things through and set up a detailed plan for my career changed everything, it meant that the shows I did were not only fun but actually added real value and development for me.”

Northern Line artists are selected through an open application process, shortlisted by an advisory panel of music industry experts.  For this 11th round, the panel includes Rob Farhat (Contemporary Music Programmer, Kings Place), Jez Matthews (The Lescar, Sheffield), Hannabiell Sanders (previous Northern Line artist), and other jazz specialists from major UK venues and national radio.  

Successful applicants will perform at the Northern Line Showcase at manchester jazz festival (mjf) on Sunday 18th May 2025 in front of a public audience and invited music industry guests. 

mjf is the North’s most celebrated jazz festival, with a reputation for fostering rising jazz talent through their own bespoke development schemes and innovative events programme. 

Steve Mead, mjf’s Artistic Director, says: “Jazz North’s Northern Line Showcase is a natural fit for mjf, as both organisations share a passion for celebrating northern talent. mjf audiences can look forward to the surprise, energy and diversity of the new roster, presented for the first time at our free opening weekender at First Street.”

Northern Line opens for applications at midday on Wednesday 13th  November. Applications close at midday on Monday 11th December 2024.

Visit www.jazznorth.org/northern-line-application-page to find out more and apply.