Every two years, the Irwin Mitchell mjf originals provides a talented regional artist with an exceptional opportunity to showcase new work at the Manchester Jazz Festival (mjf). Last time, it was the turn of John Ellis to receive the privilege of this award. The pianist and composer teamed up with film maker Antony Barkworth-Knight and together they gave us “a musically and visually handsome take on evolution” entitled Evolution: Seeds and Streams. 1inmusic had the pleasure of attending the audio-visual work as it was presented for the first time at Manchester town hall during the mjf 2015 and has presented a review of the project right here.
Manchester-based pianist and composer Andy Stamatakis-Brown, has been awarded this year 2017’s commission. A member of the Manchester jazz circuit for the past 15 years, he currently leads the ‘Andy Stamatakis-Brown Trio’, plays in ‘Gypsies of Bohemia’, and composes and plays piano for the 10-piece ‘Manchester Jazz Collective’. His winning concept, ‘Cottonopolis’, will explore iconic aspects of Manchester’s colourful past – as the industrial revolution power-house and the heart-beat of ‘Madchester’s’ dance music scene.
A 12-piece ensemble of northwest jazz musicians will combine with the noise of mill machinery to create the atmosphere of a contemporary club night, while evoking the clatter and rhythms of a 19th century millhouse. This night-long experience of weird and wonderful entertainment will feature DJs from Space Cassette, and live video projections.
You can find out the full story on the Manchester Jazz Festival website.
Save the dates for this year’s manchester jazz festival: 28 July – 6 August. The programme will be released early May. In the meantime, we’ll make sure you don’t miss a beat, and keep you posted about exciting developments.
Irwin Mitchell mjf originals 2017 is sponsored by:
