Jazz North announces the latest round of New Northern promoters

Today, Jazz North announces the two jazz festivals and six jazz promoters awarded bursaries to present emerging artists in their programmes through its support scheme, New Northern. 

New Northern bursaries were awarded to -

Lancaster Jazz Festival

Leeds Jazz Festival

Jazz Coop, Newcastle upon Tyne

Parrjazz Limited, Liverpool

DJ Lubi Presents, Leeds

Footprints Jazz Club, Sheffield

Scarborough Jazz

North West Music Academy, Barrow-in-Furness

Chris Bye, Jazz North CEO, says: 

“This round reminds us why New Northern really matters -  people backing people, and taking the risks that keep the northern jazz scene alive. Promoters and festivals are tackling real challenges on the ground to support the next generation - taking chances on new sounds, championing the underrepresented and making room for talent that might otherwise go unheard. That's what this fund is for.

From grassroots spaces to integral festivals of the northern scene; from free community stages, to dedicated showcases, to whole fringe programmes; from Newcastle to Barrow, through Sheffield, Liverpool, Leeds and Lancaster, these bursaries will ease financial pressures, ensure fair pay for artists, and keep live jazz accessible for communities across our region."

The 26/27 New Northern recipients will be using their bursaries in a range of ways to promote emerging talent across the north of England. 

E Jamieson - Footprints Jazz Club, Sheffield 

Footprints Jazz Club supports up-and-coming jazz bands and artists in Sheffield through regular jams and development activities. The New Northern bursary will be used to platform four of these acts in support slots for larger (touring) jazz artists over the coming months.

Jonathan Butters - Parrjazz Limited, Liverpool

The Liverpool International Jazz Festival Fringe, 26-28 February 2027, will provide paid performance opportunities for grassroots, jazz-spectrum artists from the Liverpool City Region. The programme will showcase original music and innovative collaborations, creating opportunities for artists to develop their performance skills, build audiences and connect with other musicians, venues and promoters.

Lesley Faulkner - North West Music Academy, Barrow-in-Furness

The bursary award will support Jazz@NWMA - their planned jazz music programme for 2026-27. Enabling them to platform emerging northern jazz artists alongside established performers and in addition to a programme of jazz workshops for young people in Barrow-in-Furness.

Debra Milne - Jazz Coop, Newcastle upon Tyne

The Globe, owned and run by Jazz Coop, has become the pre-eminent small venue for jazz in Tyneside, with a weekly Sunday night programme. In spring 2027 this will feature two special gigs, each a  ‘Jazz North Double Header’, bringing to Newcastle two great emerging bands from the north of England.  

Lubi Jovanovic - DJ Lubi Presents, Leeds

DJ Lubi will present two exciting emerging artist shows; one celebrating the music and life of Xero Slingsby - one of Leeds' cult jazz musicians and punk jazz pioneers of the 80s’ - and the second showcasing the growing interest in the Leeds jazz scene for world jazz - Latin jazz, Brazilian jazz, Afro jazz. 

Bob Walker - Scarborough Jazz

The New Northern bursary will support Scarborough Jazz Presents Murray Robinson's NPCs - an eleven-piece jazz collective dedicated to bringing original, high energy arrangements of video game music to all audiences, whether they are gamers or jazz lovers.

Lucy Woolley - Lancaster Jazz Festival 

Lancaster Jazz Festival will use this bursary to expand the Ignite Programme; building on their commitment to platforming emerging artists. The Ignite programme supports opportunities for emerging artists to present exceptional performances and gives them resources to support their future development. 

Kieron Ferries - Leeds Jazz Festival 

Leeds Jazz Festival will return for its sixth edition in May 2027. With the support of Jazz North’s New Northern Fund, they’re excited to welcome back their community stage and provide new opportunities for emerging talent from across the North to play in Leeds.

Speaking about her bursary, successful New Northern promoter Debra Milne from Jazz Coop, Newcastle upon Tyne said:

“Jazz gigs, jam sessions and Learning & Participation have been a core part of The Globe’s multi-genre programme since it became the UK’s first Cooperative owned Grassroots Music Venue in 2014.  We are delighted to have support from Jazz North to host 2 special gigs to bring to Newcastle great emerging jazz artists from across the North of England”.

For more information on upcoming events supported by New Northern, sign up to Jazz North’s mailing list: https://www.jazznorth.org/sendmemail