Unlike any other event on the jazz festival circuit, manchester jazz festival offers a fascinating journey of discovery through the world of contemporary jazz. The weird and the wonderful, the challenging and relaxing, the surprising and the familiar - mjf is a prized collection of treasures that is simply not available anywhere else. First staged in the summer of 1996, the annual festival has grown to feature hundreds of musicians, across 60+ free and ticketed events each year. The festival traverses the city’s music venues and public spaces, which in 2024 include First Street, Matt & Phreds, Band on the Wall, St Ann’s Church, RNCM, Band on the Wall, The Stoller Hall, The Carlton Club and Forsyth Music Shop. New and original work is championed, and regional, national and international artists celebrated through our performances, commissions and premieres. Emerging and established artists are supported year round through mjf’s talent development programmes that have helped launched the careers of a host of artists. Throughout all of our work, mjf celebrates diversity, innovation and creativity.
