Manchester Jazz Festival

Manchester Jazz Festival is an annual 9-day-long festival focused on showcasing contemporary jazz from the North West of England and beyond.

The 17th Manchester Jazz Festival will take place from 13 to 21 July in Manchester city centre.

The Manchester Jazz Festival was created in 1996 as a one-day showcase and has grown into a 9-day event, with 60 gigs and 300 musicians planned for July 2009.

Key dates and figures for the festival:

1996: 1st Manchester Jazz Festival - 1 day, 1 venue, 10 bands
2000: 1st new jazz work commissioned by the festival
2003: 1st mjf all-day finale in Albert Square, with 5 bands, 50 musicians and 5,000 attenders
2006: 1st ever jazz festival podcast in the UK – won the Independent’s Critics’ Choice

More details are available on the festival website.

Manchester Jazz Festival is an Arts Council England's Regularly Funded Organisation since 1999. It is one of Manchester City Council's Pillar Event since 2003. It also regularly receive financial support from the PRS Foundation for New Music to foster new talents and develop new works.

The festival's international programme is supported by the Instituto Cervantes Manchester and the Italian Consulate.

The Festival is supported by businesses in Manchester, including The Midland Hotel, Susi Madron's Cycling for Softies, and Lloyd Piggott Chartered Accountants.

From 2000, Manchester Jazz Festival has been commissioning North West artists to help them develop ambitious projects. Previously commissioned artists include Richard Iles, Jon Thorne (with Danny Thompson), Stuart McCallum (with John Surman),Mike Walker (with Adam Nussbaum).

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