Phil Bancroft’s “Home, Small as the World” was special when it started and became more interesting and diverse as the evening went on. With a hint of what the future must hold, Phil’s show integrated a live link-up over Skype,  with Mike Walker improvising from his living room at home. Watch the video…

Have a sneak peak into the world of Phil Bancroft – watch the Party On film here. Phil’s gig is at RNCM tonight at 7.30pm

A great night at Band on the Wall last night saw Jazz on 3 record live in session with the Arun Ghosh Quintet, (self styled “Roots in Calcutta, born in Bolton, matured in Manchester”) – Stuart McCallum – solo with a unique composition for the festival; then playing out with Simcock/Walker/Swallow/Nussbaum. These artists are all playing later in the week, so if you missed them last night, don’t worry!

We regret that,  due to unforeseen circumstances, the two concerts with Kid Creole & the Coconuts at Band on the Wall on Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 July are cancelled. The date has been re-scheduled for September 13. Please contact the Band on the Wall box office directly to arrange any refunds.

Please note that all 5 Afternoon Tea events at The Midland are now sold out. All places are fully booked and we regret that it is not possible arrive at the event to just listen to the music.

Manchester Jazz Festival 2010 kicked off at the Festival Pavilion in Albert Square last night — with  the pre-gig crowd creating it’s own composition. A very original piece emerged from willing folks sticking up some random notes on the mjf public music board. John Helliwell tried it out on the sax before the first gig … John Helliwell tries a public composition See the latest photos from the festival

Phil Bancroft plays a pre-launch taster for mjf in St Ann’s Square, with an inflatable planet earth and parts of his living room as scenery…

Jon Clements talks to mjf Artistic Director, Steve Mead by manchesterjazz

Over 70 Greater Manchester schoolchildren met up in the Concert Hall at the RNCM last Thursday, under the guidance of Helena Summerfield from Manchester Music Service, who led the entire ensemble through a potted history of jazz and the first performance of her new piece written especially for the occasion and featuring all present.

If you’re a musician or promoter looking to raise funds for a jazz project – be it touring, collaborations, creating new work – the funding surgeries on Tuesday 27 are for you.

Jon Clements talks to Neil Yates about his new commission for mjf, Surroundings, on a windy evening outside St Ann’s Church, just after the first rehearsal…

mjf’s Artistic Director, Steve Mead, will talk to Becky Want about this year’s programme live on BBC Radio Manchester, Thursday 8 July at 4.10pm.

Mojito, the Afro-Cuban connoisseurs, have just invited leading Cuban singer Cesar Ivan Pavon Martinez to join them on their mjf gig. Richard Sliwa, the band’s leader, is thrilled about the last minute addition: “It’s great news that Cesar is able to join us for our show – he adds such an authentic touch and I think listeners will be bowled over with his warmth and energy.” See for yourselves on Sunday 25 July in the Festival Pavilion.