New Jazz in Queensbury - Jazz At The Mill

One of Northern Jazz's greatest teams, Kathy and John Dyson, have set up a new jazz night in Black Dyke Mills in Bradford. The session will run weekly and they have now announced the programme until July 4th. Each gig runs on a Tuesday from 7.30 until 10pm and admission is £5.

It's always good to hear of a new jazz venue in the North and we wish the Dysons lots of success in their new venture!

May 30th - John and Kathy Dyson's Boptet with Jade Harris
June 7th   - Ed Kainyak Band
June 13th - Adrian Ingram's Jazz Dawgs
June 20th - Ben Crosland Trio
June 27th - John and Kathy Dyson's Boptet with Nicki Allan
July 4th - John Marley Band

Kathy Dyson stands for MU General Secretary

Jazz guitarist and renowned jazz educator, Dr Kathy Dyson, is standing for the post of General Secretary of the Musician's Union, paving the way for the MU's first female General Secretary in its 124 year history.

Current G.S. John Smith has announced his retirement after 15 years and his deputy Horace Trubridge has stepped forward to take his place as well as Kathy.

Kathy says

I’m standing for a more feminist, inclusive and collaborative approach to working together, and for a decentralised union that fights more strongly for funding, musical work, and instrumental music education in all the regions. We need to create a long-term policy and strategy for every area of music we cover as a guide for action. We must also involve members more fully in our collective endeavour. 

We can build on our existing work creating cooperatives with music teacher members. We can also help to improve fees, wages and conditions by focusing more resources on fighting funding cuts and working more collaboratively with regional arts organisations.

Kathy is currently Chair of the Executive Committee and has a long history of working hard to fight for positive change in the Music Sector.

We wish her good luck in her campaign!

Leeds Fold Studio Party, October 29th

Recently, a group of jazz musicians in Leeds took over a rehearsal and recording studio. Their aim is to use the space as a hub for creative and improvised music in the North and to provide affordable rehearsal and recording facilities. Spearheaded by composer James Hamilton, Leeds Fold also includes musicians Kim Macari, Will Howard, Jamil Sheriff, Sam Quintana and Kathy Dyson.

Leeds Fold have operated for a few months already, but on October 29th the doors will be opened to all for a party to celebrate the space. There will be a set by the Leeds Fold musicians, a recording of an original christmas song written by vocal outfit the Honeybirds (and mass handbell choir led by James!) and a jam until the early hours.

Attendees can register their place online for free and attendance is on a Pay-What-You-Feel basis at the door (all funds go into the running of the studio). Places are limited so be quick!

For more information on the space, visit the Leeds Fold website or read this article written by Apollo Jazz Network.

New Jam Session in Manchester

A new jam session has been set up in Manchester at The Thirsty Scholar (just off Oxford Road). The jams will run on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month from 9.30pm and are open to everyone. This week's jam was led by Kathy and John Dyson along with Phil Stevenson and Dave Luven.

The bar doesn't have a website, but you can stay updated through their facebook page.

Northern School of Jazz

The Northern School of Jazz are running their New Year Jazz Course from January 11th until March 15th and although sessions have already begun, a few places are still available.

Run by Dr Kathy Dyson, former senior lecturer at LCoM, Jazz Educator of the Year and current chair of the MU, the course takes place at Blueprint Studios in Salford every Saturday.