Jazz North win bid to become new North area jazz agency

"..musician's and their creative practice at the heart of every project"

A consortium with the working title 'Jazz North', led by jazz development agency Jazz Yorkshire, has been successful in their bid to set up a new North area jazz agency. Jazz North is a consortium of experienced delivery organisations and individuals which will build a new northern jazz delivery model, based on collective partnerships.

The new agency will support the existing jazz sector across the North and will lead the development of both artform and audiences across the three regions North West, Yorkshire and North East.

This new North area model has been commissioned by Arts Council Engalnd via an open application process, and will be supported with strategic funding from October 2012 to March 2015. This will ensure that up to £475,000 is invested in jazz development across the North over the next 3 years.

The agency will replace Arts Council England's previous support for the three northern jazz agencies – Jazz Yorkshire, NWJazzworks and JazzAction - whose funding will cease in September 2012.

The founder members of the consortium are Jazz Yorkshire - lead partner, along with representatives from Manchester Jazz Festival, Creative Arts Promotion (J-Night, Hull Jazz Festival, National Rural Touring Forum) and Live Music Now. The consortium will be working with the Arts Council over the next six months to agree a programme of activity which will start in October 2012.

Nigel Slee of Jazz Yorkshire says “The consortium offers a new way of working collaboratively with organisations and individuals who share our vision to increase the profile of contemporary jazz artists in the North. Northern jazz musician's and their creative practice will be at the heart of every project we undertake”.

For more information visit www.jazznorth.org