You’ll remember we commissioned The Imaginary Delta from pianist Adam Fairhall last year. We’re delighted to announce that the recording of the première at Band on the Wall is being released on CD by Slam Records, the UK jazz and improvised music specialists. Reviewer Chris Ackerley nominated this as his gig of 2011, and the praise is more than justified – it was a thrilling night and you’ll soon be able to re-live it, or hear what you missed if you couldn’t make the gig. Watch out for news of when the CD is released later this spring.

Songs of the Caged Bird will be a new song cycle by Manchester composer-pianist George King, featuring arguably Manchester’s finest jazz vocalist – Doreen Edwards, with a string octet from Manchester Camerata, with whom we’re excited to be collaborating on the project.

George will be setting poems and speeches from the US civil rights period: “Although it’s a difficult theme, I want the message to be optimistic, and to show how far we’ve moved on since the words were written – a celebration of where we are now, but acknowledging we still have a way to go.” A song cycle for jazz singer is an unusual and under-explored format: “The challenge for me will be to create a single piece from the work of various authors and make it sound like a cohesive whole.”

George is one of our favourite jazz pianists, but he has another side rarely witnessed by jazz audiences: his contemporary classical compositions have been featured on BBC Radio 3  and have been performed across Europe and the US. “It’s a privilege, knowing the calibre of the musicians we have in Manchester, to be asked to create a major work for mjf and perform it in my home city.” Manus Carey, Artistic Director at Manchester Camerata, shares our passion: “We are delighted to be collaborating with Manchester Jazz Festival for the first time this July on an exciting new commission by George King.  It’s a great opportunity for our own players to work in a new setting and for audiences to experience the coming together of like-minded performers from diverse musical backgrounds to create a totally new and original work.”

The première of Songs of the Caged Bird will be at the RNCM; the date will be announced soon and tickets will go on sale in April.

The other of our new commissioned works – Sound Games – is the brainchild of Morecambe-based multi-instrumentalist, producer and community musician Pete Moser, and is another collaboration, this time with More Music Morecambe.

In this Olympic year, we couldn’t resist the prospect of improvisations, songs and compositions inspired directly by athletes’ movements themselves, and by responses to sporting activity and archived film footage of athletic movements and moments. “I love music that is a response to a context – social, political, dance, theatre, silent film – where the music is making things happen. Improvisation is at the heart of what I do, and I thought there was huge potential in actually working with athletes to discover where the two worlds met.” Pete (also, notably, the Fastest-One-Man-Band-In-The-World) will be bringing together a team of 8 leading jazz improvisers to help turn the observations into music: imagine a 10-second, 8-part counterpoint for a 100 metre run; a wind-up-shot-put of an explosive fanfare; a solo line lasting 2 hours mirroring a marathon run. “I want listeners to be exhilarated by the same excitement and adrenaline you might get from attending a football match or competitive event, not knowing how the music is going to end up!” Staged in mjf’s Festival Pavilion, it’s sure to be playful, visual and fun.

We’re looking forward to these immensely and hope you’ll come along to share these truly one-off experiences with us. “These two fascinating and contrasting projects embody the spirit and range of new work we want to help create through mjf originals” – Steve Mead, mjf’s artistic director.

During mjf 2011 we sold out completely of the 2010 t-shirts, so to make sure you don’t miss out, order it online now.

Please keep checking back and/or join our mailing list for news, updates and previews.

With Olympic fever sweeping the nation, we’ve moved the festival a week earlier, so that you can enjoy the music without missing out on any sporting highlights.

We are just beginning to put next year’s programme together, so watch out for early announcements and news on who has been awarded the 2012 mjf originals commissions in January.

By giving someone an mjf friend membership for Christmas you are supporting one of Manchester’s longest running festivals and investing in mjf’s work to promote the riches of the North West jazz scene.

As an mjf friend, your friends/family will be able to enjoy your gift for a whole year through our range of fabulous benefits, including:

• free entry to Matt & Phred’s on Friday and Saturday nights
• 25% off your total bill at the Market Restaurant
• 25% off your food bill at Henry J Beans in the Printworks
• 15% off purchases in PAD in Chorlton
• 10% off tickets to the Festival Pavilion during mjf 2012

Sat 24 Sep 2011 – RNCM:
Michael Cretu – double bass
Ed Barnwell – piano
Complementing the Hungarian Portrait, charismatic Romanian bassist Michael Cretu performs a selection of his Transylvanian-styled compositions along with the resolute and passionate playing of pianist Ed Barnwell.

Sat 15 Oct 2011 – RNCM :
Sara Dowling – voice
Andy Kingslow – piano
Continuing the words and music theme, the commanding vocalist Sara Dowling teams up with the versatile and energetic pianist Andy Kingslow to perform a surprising mixture of songs, ranging from overlooked jazz standards to re-arrangements of Stravinsky!

Friday 18 November 2011 – RNCM
Semay Wu – cello
and friends
Complementing Sollima’s distinctive approach to the cello, Manchester’s very own Semay leads a specially-assembled small group of music-makers to perform some quirky and surprising sounds, incorporating the many reference points in her musical career – electronica, jazz, improvisation and rock – uncategorisable yet compelling!

Sat 10 March 2012 – RNCM
Adam Fairhall – piano
Tim Fairhall – double bass
Gaz Hughes – drums
Rising star Adam’s playing demonstrates a passion for jazz, blues and other areas of American music, notably two composers whose work was touched by the shadow of war in different ways: Charles Ives, who was drawn into music via his father’s marching bands in the American Civil War, and Conlon Nancarrow, who fought in the Spanish Civil War, both of whom seep through Adam’s angular, inventive style.

Sat 28 April 2012 – RNCM
Doreen Edwards – voice
George King – piano
Manchester’s most enchanting jazz vocalist radiates irresistible warmth and joy as she explores the theme of love with a choice selection of standards, accompanied by the clear-cut and graceful pianist George King.

Sat 26 May 2012 – BWH:
Neil Yates – trumpet
+ TBC
Following a concert in which the music draws heavily on this country’s rich folk heritage, we turn to folk-inspired music from slightly further afield to present one of England’s most original voices on the trumpet: Neil Yates has forged a unique sound which incorporates the sounds and techniques associated with Celtic folk music and combines it with jazz to form his own style – ‘diddleknock’. Highly expressive playing, a plaintive tone and exquisite compositions.

Concerts begin at 7.30pm and an approximate start time for the mjf concerts will be @9.30pm

mjf originals 2012

Even though the 2011 festival has only recently disappeared over the horizon, it’s time for musicians and composers to start thinking about formulating ideas for next year’s festival. mjf originals, our exclusive scheme for commissioning new jazz work, is running again, and we are now accepting proposals. This scheme, now in its third year, is aimed at musician-composers and bandleaders who want to create a major piece of new work for the 2012 festival. The deadline for applications is Wednesday 26^th October 2011, at 5pm.

Please click on the below link to download the mjf originals policy, guidelines and application form.

mjf originals 2012 – Policy, Guidelines and Application Form

mjf 2012 festival programme submissions

We are also accepting regular submissions for the 2012 festival programme – the submission form and guidelines are available for download below. The deadline for submissions is Monday 9^th January 2012, at 5pm.

mjf 2012 Submission Guidelines

mjf 2012 Submission Form

mjf introduces 2012

mjf introduces is our scheme for supporting up-and-coming 16-25 players in the North West. If you’d like to be featured as part of this scheme, please send a completed form (available to download with guidelines below) to mjf. The deadline is Monday 9^th January 2012, at 5pm.

mjf introduces guidelines 2012

mjf introduces Submission Form 2012

Please note: Dates for the 2012 festival are yet to be finalised but will be mid to late July.