Deadline: Friday 11th September, 2026, midnight. 

mjf was the first festival to launch an open artists’ submission system and this still informs our programme today.

We’re a contemporary jazz festival and we champion artists playing original work – especially those living and working in the north west of England.

We are brave in our programming, constantly on the lookout for up and coming talent, and often give a platform to new and surprising music.

Previous international artists at the festival have included : Jose Dias: 25 in 25 (Portuguese), Lau Noah (Spanish) & Maya Bugge (Norwegian), Daniel Erdmann (German) to name a few. 

mjf gives priority to:

• contemporary jazz and jazz-related music
• artists based in the north of England (however, we welcome applications from all over the world)
• new and/or original work
• collaborations or work that offers mjf audiences an experience not available elsewhere
• artists who help us present a diverse programme that is representative of our society

More info: https://manchesterjazz.com/our-artists-schemes/artists/