Want to play at JazzAhead 2017?

JazzAhead is one of the largest jazz expos in the world and it takes place over in Bremen each April. Thousands of musicians, agents, festival directors and organisations gather for the 4 day event and there are four official showcase concerts across the event.

Musicians can attend as a delegate and many do so a chance to meet with promoters and festival directors from across Europe to begin building relationships and setting up gigs for their ensembles. They can also apply to play in one of the showcase events and applications are now being accepted for these showcases.

Currently, there is only one of the four that UK groups can apply for - European Jazz Meeting. This features musicians from across Europe. The other three showcases are German Jazz Expo (german jazz), Overseas Night (jazz from outside of Europe) and the showcase hosted by the event's partner country (2017's is Finland).

Applications are judged by a panel and the deadline is October 31st. In terms of opportunities to apply for, this certainly isn't for everyone and musicians should carefully read the guidelines on the website to ascertain whether their music is at the right stage to benefit from this kind of event. However, it can be a great stepping stone to building an international reputation so it worth investigating.

See the Jazzahead website for further information.

A Day of Music at the Three Cranes, Sheffield - July 23rd

If the Dandy Warhols, Kelis and Dizzee Rascal aren't your thing, you probably shouldn't go to the Tramlines Festival in Sheffield. Instead, you should join Martin Archer and his musical comrades for a day of music ala Discus at the Three Cranes on July 23rd.

Martin has invited lots of Discus artists and friends to perform throughout the day, a celebration of improvisation, electronic music and the avant-garde. What's more, it is free to attend (donations gratefully received and a CD stall will be set up to purchase albums released by Discus) and refreshments will be available throughout the day.

Visit the Discus website to check out the artists and albums connected to the label, and see below for a schedule of the day.

Venue: The Three Cranes, 74 Queen Street, Sheffield

13.00 - Walt Shaw & Martin Archer - percussion / sax duo

14.00 - Das Rad - Nick Robinson (guitar) / Martin Archer (sax) / Steve Dinsdale (electronic drums) - melodic motorik
https://www.facebook.com/events/842902562506179/

15.00 - Chris Bywater - solo laptop abstraction
https://soundcloud.com/chris-bywater-2/chris-bywater-fuse-bradford-12-may-2016wav

17.00 - Modulator ESP - solo synths and electronics from Jez Creek
https://www.facebook.com/ModulatorESP/?fref=ts

18.00 - The Unkillable Clerics - song based post-metal Chamber Music

https://www.facebook.com/UnKillableClerics/?fref=ts

20.00 - frostlake - haunting songs and electronics
https://www.facebook.com/frostlakemusic/?fref=ts

21.00 - Inclusion Principle - Martin Archer & Herve Perez (laptops, saxes) / Peter Fairclough (drums) - in a space between electronics, nu-jazz, contemporary electroacoustic music and free improvisation
https://www.facebook.com/Inclusion-Principle-110752295685776/?fref=ts

22.00 - Meson - freewheeling floating collective improv and poetry under the misdirection of Bo Meson
https://www.facebook.com/Meson-235514343146751/?fref=ts
meson.me.uk

Northern Line Showcase at Manchester Jazz Festival, Monday 25th July

This summer's Manchester Jazz Festival is almost upon us and as part of their programme, there will be a day long showcase featuring the new crop of Northern Line artists.

This free to attend day of gigs has become traditional at MJF and festival goers can experience a huge range of jazz and improvised music from midday until 10pm. The bands will be split between three venues - the Hobgoblin Pavilion, Central Library and St Ann's Church.

Below is a full timetable of the day, but be sure to visit the Manchester Jazz Festival website to find out more and check out the full programme for the festival.

Monday 25th July - MJF Northern Line Showcase Day

12.00 - Jamie Brownfield Quartet
1.00  - HTrio
1.50  - Pat McCarthy ft. Shannon Reilly
2.40 - Inclusion Principle
3.30 - Maja Bugge
4.20 - Family Band
5.20 - Taupe
7.00 - Firebird Quartet
8.00 - Johnny Hunter Quartet
9.15 - Portmanteau

Gig Preview: Jazz for SKIP at Heart, November 27th

On Friday November 27th, Jazz at Heart will host a special concert to raise funds for SKIP, a charity which supports families affected by poverty in Peru and runs educational initiatives.

Three local bands will perform in the jazz showcase event including members of the North Leeds Jazz Orchestra, Colin Byrne's Leeds Jazz Orchestra and Seven Arts jazz workshops.

SKIP is a UK, US and Peruvian registered charity working in the impoverished districts of El Porvenir and Alto Trujillo, located on the North Coast of Peru. SKIP's primary aim is to enable children living in this area to realise their right to an education. In terms of theoretical framework, we understand that families are the principal force in the lives of children and therefore work with the entire familial unit. This holistic approach focuses on four pillars of family development: education, economically stable families, emotional well-being, and healthy and safe home environments. SKIP believes that economically-disadvantaged families have the capacity to be the principal agents of change in their own lives and communities. As such, our organisation works in partnership with the community to empower people to make sustainable changes. 

Tickets for the event cost £8/6 and the ticket sales plus proceeds from the raffles will go to SKIP. Musicians will be donating their time for free in support of the cause.

For more information, visit HEART's website and for a more depth look at the work SKIP does, visit their website.