Stephen Mead of mjf (third from left) receiving the Award L-R Piotr Turkiewicz, Ros Rigby, Steve Mead, Francesca Cerretani Photo Credit David McLenachan

At an Award Ceremony at Manchester Town Hall on Friday night, coinciding with the opening of this year’s festival, the Manchester Jazz Festival (mjf) received the EJN (Europe Jazz Network) Award 2016. It is the fifth time the Europe Jazz Network has given this ‘Award for Adventurous Programming.’

At the ceremony, EJN was represented by Piotr Turkiewicz, Chair of the EJN jury, Ros Rigby, EJN President and Francesca Cerretani, EJN Network Administrator/Co-ordinator. The award was received by Steve Mead, Artistic Director mjf. John Davies, Chair of mjf opened the ceremony. Ros Rigby of EJN, Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council and Sarah Maxfield, Director of Arts Council North also spoke.

The citation of the Award Jury 2016 reads as follows:

“The EJN Award is for ‘adventurous programming’ and this can be interpreted in many ways. Manchester Jazz Festival, now over 20 years old, has been adventurous in its policy of supporting emerging talent, jazz from across the North of England, and new work, rather than seeking the usual ‘big names’ for their programme. Through this they have brought to public attention many artists from the North who have gone on to gain national and international profiles- such as the Mercury Prize nominated band GoGo Penguin from Manchester. The Jury were unanimous in their appreciation for this approach and were delighted that the 2016 Award should go to this enterprising UK jazz festival.”

PREVIOUS WINNERS

Moers Festival – Germany (2015)
Jazz em Agosto – Portugal (2014)
Bimhuis – Netherlands (2013)
12 Points Festival – Ireland (2012)


LINKS: Europe Jazz Network
Manchester Jazz Festival