Irwin Mitchell MJF Originals commission winner announced

Pianist and composer Andy Stamatakis-Brown has been announced as the 2017 recipient of the Irwin Mitchell MJF Originals commission.

His work, Cottonopolis, will be premiered at this year's MJF which takes place between 28th July and 6th August.

From the MJF website...

His winning concept for mjf originals – entitled ‘Cottonopolis’ – will explore other iconic aspects of Manchester’s colourful past; its role as the power-house of the industrial revolution, and as the happening heart-beat of the dance music scene. ‘Cottonopolis’ will bring the noise and clatter of a 19th century mill and the excitement and atmosphere of a contemporary club night to manchester jazz festival.  The ensemble, drawn mostly from the Manchester Jazz Collective, will showcase the variety of talented players on the Manchester scene.

Andy Stamatakis-Brown said: “I am thrilled to have been awarded the Irwin Mitchell mjf originals2017 commission.  It gives me the opportunity to bring together so many creative people from different parts of my life to present this project. manchester jazz festival gives us a high profile platform to share the sort of thing we like doing – working together to produce an unusually interesting and exciting night out.”

This exceptional, night-long experience of weird and wonderful entertainment will take place in a surprise location in Manchester, with DJs from Space Cassette, and archive and live video projections – developed by Blain Cousin and Ric Lowe from Norvun Devolution – providing an evocative backdrop to a truly immersive and unforgettable experience.

Manchester Jazz Festival’s Artistic Director, Steve Mead, said: “Cottonopolis looks set to become yet another milestone in a long line of ground-breaking new pieces that audiences can savour in this year’s festival programme. I’m especially excited about Andy’s idea to integrate a historical subject close to Manchester’s heart with creative artists from the city’s vibrant DJ and VJ cultures and – of course – a formidable line-up of musicians from the north’s inspirational jazz scene.”

For more information, visit the MJF website.

NJN Jazz Advent Calendar - Anton Hunter (Dec 5th)

With less than 3 weeks to go, door number 5 features one of Manchester's leading jazz lights, guitarist Anton Hunter.

This video features Article XI, a large ensemble put together when Anton was awarded the Irwin Mitchell commission from Manchester jazz festival.

Watch them in action here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Bx1eUWh2Ys

Anton Hunter is a guitar, improviser and composer from Manchester. This group, Article XI, was brought together in 2014 to perform a new suite of music commissioned by Manchester Jazz Festival under their 'mjf originals' series. The music was developed over a period of 6 months, with Anton gathering improvisations from each of the musicians and weaving elements of those into the finished music, while leaving plenty of room for freedom in the performance. You may also have heard Anton with his own trio, as half of Ripsaw Catfish, one fifth of Sloth Racket or one fourteenth of Beats & Pieces Big Band.

http://www.antonhunter.com/

http://antonhunter.bandcamp.com/

https://twitter.com/HunterAnton

Photo - Peter Fay

MJF Originals 2015 - Apply Now

Applications are now open for the 2015 Irwin Mitchell MJF Originals scheme, the flagship commissioning project run by Manchester Jazz Festival.

Aimed at developing the work and careers of musicians working primarily in Manchester and the North West, the scheme has produced 16 unique works in recent years. 2015 marks the 20th year of MJF and proposals which reflect this are particularly welcome.

Applicants are invited to submit a 100-word synopsis of their idea and, if it fits the criteria of the scheme, will be asked to submit a full application. The deadline for this 100-word synopsis is Monday 8th December at 10am.

This year, guitarist Anton Hunter (pictured above) was awarded the commission and premiered his new work, Article XI at the festival in July. Previous composers have included The Felonious Monks (Mike Hall & Debbie Rogers), George King and Pete Moser.

For more information, visit the MJF website.