Rory A. Green, SwanNek, Hang Linton, Rivkala & Ancient Infinity Orchestra make up the cohort of northern artists to watch...
Hailing from Northumberland, Leeds, North East, Manchester and Liverpool: Rory A. Green, SwanNek, Hang Linton, Rivkala & Ancient Infinity Orchestra join the celebrated cohort of artists and will be available to book for activity starting in September 2026
On joining the roster, Rory A. Green, says: “I am delighted with this opportunity to grow my skills & network while levelling up my touring with an experienced team to support the journey. As a DIY independent artist who is planning to release their debut album this year, this support means everything & couldn't have come at a better time.”
Northern Line artists were chosen with the
support of an esteemed advisory panel of promoters, radio producers, artists
and festival teams - Aisling Doherty, Thomas Rees, Josh Aitman, Ni Maxine,
Rianne Thompson, Bob Walker and David Porter.
The programme provides essential support to artists’ live touring ambitions. Each of the five bands will receive a live touring bursary from £1500 and tailored 1:1 support across an 18-month period.
Audiences can see the full roster perform live at the Northern Line showcase at manchester jazz festival (mjf) on 16th & 17th of May 2026 as part of the festival’s opening weekend at First Street.
mjf is the North’s most celebrated and longest-running music festival, with a reputation for fostering rising jazz talent through their own bespoke development schemes and innovative events programme.
Industry guests are invited to attend a networking reception on the Sunday afternoon (17th May), hosted by Jazz North.
Promoters can contact artists directly or via Jazz North for round 12 bookings from September 2026.
Currently available Northern Line artists include Ex-Easter Island Hear, Ellen Beth Abdi, Ferg’s Imaginary Big Band, Amy Thatcher & Francesca Knowles and The Exu.
Visit www.jazznorth.org/northern-line for more information.
Rory A. Green
Rory A. Green classical guitar / Eleanor
Colee tenor saxophone / Zac Hemming drums
Ghanaian-English guitarist, composer
and producer Rory A. Green, inspired by his mixed heritage background, uses the
sensitivity of acoustic instruments combined with infectious rhythms to create
heavily layered, atmospheric environments for his music.
With a dynamic, conversational
approach to the guitar and improvisation, Rory has been using music to tell
stories and captivate audiences in his hometown of Manchester and across the
UK, sharing stages with Laura Misch, Kessoncoda and Marysia Osu.
https://www.facebook.com/roryalexgreen
https://www.instagram.com/roryagreen
SwanNek
Mollie Birmingham vocals / Olly Styles
tenor saxophone / Jacob Egglestone guitar / Alexa K
Palmer Campiglia cello / Findlay Hewitson keyboards /
Jake Baines bass / John Hirst drums
SwanNek is a boundary-pushing
contemporary jazz collective from Northumberland, renowned for crafting music
that celebrates the people and places closest to their hearts.
SwanNek draw deeply from their own
experiences, weaving personal stories into a dynamic and powerfully emotive
sound: a fusion that reflects the rich and diverse musical identity of their
hometown.
Their emotive, innovative and
welcoming live shows have drawn praise from Radio 3’s Soweto Kinch and BBC
Introducing’s Shakk (“a collective of musical superheroes”), consistently
attracting an eclectic and ever-growing fanbase.
"Innovative. Dynamic. A combustion
of musical talent." - Glasshouse ICM
https://www.instagram.com/swan_nek
Hang Linton
Hang Linton vocals, guitar,
harmonica, sampler, synthesisers
A fearless sonic force, Hang Linton
is a boundary-pushing artist from Leeds, fusing avant-funk, dance-punk,
psych-rock and breakbeats into a raw and unapologetic sound. Armed with a
sampler, synths and an unrelenting energy, Linton dismantles the polished and
predictable, channelling the spirit of DIY counterculture with every
performance.
Explosive, chaotic, and fiercely
authentic, Hang Linton brings a live show that's part protest, part party, a
cathartic release that challenges convention and demands your attention.
https://www.instagram.com/hang_linton/
https://www.tiktok.com/@hang_linton
Rivkala
Rivkala vocals / Faye
MacCalman saxophones, clarinet / Billy Bradshaw trumpet / Ben
Lawrence keyboards / Luke Elgie guitar / Katy
Trigger double bass, bass guitar / Mark Johnson drums
Self-proclaimed showgirl Rivkala - along with her esteemed band - blends jazz, soul, funk, and klezmer to build the twisted world of the Crushed Velvet cabaret bar, where she delivers biting yet playful social commentaries. The Mancunian singer-songwriter has made the North East her home over the past seven years, working across a range of projects and co-founding Jam Sandwich, an improvised contemporary jazz jam.
Winner of Youth Music Video
of the Year (2025), Youth Music Ones to Watch (2026),
BBC Introducing: One to Watch (2025), and Drake Music's Emergent
Artist (2023), Rivkala delivered exhilarating performances in 2025 for
BBC Proms (broadcast on Radio 3’s ‘Round Midnight), MOBO Fringe,
Sofar Sounds, SXSW Roadshow and TV features for BBC Look North and ITV Tyne
Tees.
https://www.instagram.com/rivkalalala
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089946803664
https://www.tiktok.com/@rivkalalala
Ancient Infinity Orchestra
Ozzy Moysey double
bass / Joel Stedman flute,
bass clarinet, congas / Matt Cliffe flute,
alto flute, tenor saxophone / Khemi
Shabazz oboe / Jacob
Rider alto saxophone / Hugh
Vincent piano / Elliot
Roffe double bass /
John Arnesen drums
Ancient Infinity Orchestra emerged in the North of England as a joyous, communal force, rooted in collective music-making and shared intention. Led by Leeds-based composer-double bassist Ozzy Moysey, the ensemble weaves melody, with expansive, uplifting improvisation, creating music that feels both intimate and cosmic.
Their latest recording, It’s Always About Love, blossoms with warmth, texture, and emotional depth, shaped by a rich palette of acoustic sounds and open-hearted collaboration. Affiliated with jazz, folk, classical, and devotional music traditions, the Orchestra offers generous, healing music that invites listeners into a shared experience of unity, openness, and joy.
https://www.instagram.com/ancientinfinityorchestra
https://ancientinfinityorchestra.com
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 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 (mjf)
mjf is the city’s longest-running music festival, championing regional artists, new commissions, European collaborations and musical innovation.
mjf is back with a bumper edition from 15-24 May 2026, lighting up venues across the city, mjf2026 will see hundreds of northern, national and international jazz musicians descend on Manchester, showcasing the genre’s leading lights alongside its most exciting emerging talent.
mjf is the only UK winner of the Europe Jazz Network Award for Adventurous Programming, the UK’s first festival Keychange signatory, supporting gender balance across stages, and was the first Founder Member of the Black Lives in Music charter. An Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation, mjf also receives support through GMCA’s Culture Fund and Manchester City Council’s Culture Partnerships Grants programme.
For more information and ticket bookings visit www.manchesterjazz.com
Chris Bye, Jazz North CEO, says:
“After over a decade, Northern Line is firmly established as the most exciting talent development programme for jazz across the entirety of the North. Demonstrated perfectly by this latest cohort of exceptional musicians.
Previous alumni and artists on the current roster have already been singled out by key industry individuals, organisations and influencers as artists to watch, so keep a close eye on the forthcoming national and international success of these names.
With this round of Northern Line, Jazz North proudly presents five of the region's premier breakthrough jazz artists, representing the cream of northern talent.”
The PRS Foundation launched its inaugural Ones to Watch list, featuring 25 exciting artists hand-picked by the PRSF team, one of which is current Northern Line artist, Hang Linton, an indie artist known for poetic storytelling that demands your attention.
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