Keith Tippett Publicity picture

Peter Bacon reports:

The first names have been announced for the 2019 Manchester Jazz Festival (mjf) – the city’s 24th – and tickets go on sale for them today. Changes next year include earlier dates – 23-27 May rather than the usual late July week – and a new home base due to the previous home, Albert Square, being part of extensive Town Hall renovations.

The gigs announced today are, in the words of mjf’s press release:

Keith Tippett & Matthew Bourne + Isotach Trio
 – RNCM Theatre, 23 May 2019: 
Two of the greatest British jazz pianists meet across the generational divide in an exciting new collaboration. Don’t miss this rare chance to see the duo perform together.
 

Noya Rao + Caoilfhionn Rose – 
Night and Day, 23 May 2019: 
Leeds-based electronic soul quartet Noa Roya are purveyors of lush enigmatic dreamscapes and electronica. They draw on influences from jazz, hip hop and electronic music while incorporating the sounds of the bass-heavy dub music synonymous with the Leeds music scene.
 

Tim Garland’s Weather Walker – 
St Ann’s Church, 26 May 2019: 
Garland’s latest intimate project fuses chamber jazz, classical and folk. Weather Walker evokes the varied seasons and moods of the Lake District and traditional song from north west England.
 

Emilia Mårtensson’s Loredana – 
The Deaf Institute, 27 May 2019: 
Award-winning Swedish vocalist Emilia has built a well-deserved reputation as one of the most exciting young vocalists on the UK Jazz scene and is known for boundary pushing and her original music which crosses borders between Scandi folk, jazz and pop.

The press release continues:

“For the first time, mjf have teamed up with Manchester Food and Drink Festival, who will curate an exciting mix of culinary offers along the festival hub.”

Of the changes to the festival, artistic director Steve Mead said:

“We’ve worked really hard to find a suitable new home and after a lot of research, we’ve chosen the area running from St Ann’s Square all the way to New Cathedral Street.

“St Ann’s Square became our base in the early years of the festival so now, in our 24th year, this will be something of a homecoming for us, albeit a much bigger home with much more to offer.

“We’ve also moved the festival to the late May Bank Holiday weekend to give Manchester’s student population the chance to enjoy the festival.

“What won’t change is our commitment to offering audiences a diverse, surprising and memorable mix of new music experiences and we hope you’ll continue to join us on that journey.”

As part of its recognition of the term-time dates, mjf is offering the city’s large student population a £5 ticket offer for under 25 year olds at selected gigs for a limited time only.

LINK: Manchester Jazz Festival – including booking for the above events