The MAC, Belfast, 3 & 4 November, 2022
The UK and Ireland’s only jazz-specific network of creatives and industry professionals announces its 2022 conference in Belfast on Thursday 3 & Friday 4 November.
Keynote speech from award-winning composer Brian Irvine.
Unmissable showcase of Irish and Northern Irish jazz artists.
Tickets are now available for the 2022 Jazz Promotion Network conference, ‘Where Pathways Meet’. Taking place at The MAC, in Belfast’s vibrant Cathedral Quarter on 3 and 4 November, the conference will bring the UK and Irish jazz sector together to focus on the most important issues and topics in jazz right now. Inspired by the Sun Ra composition of the same name, ‘Where Pathways Meet’ will have a firm focus on the future of jazz in these islands and beyond. The programme will also provide ideas and practical advice that delegates will be able to apply in their own work immediately.
Programmed in partnership with Moving On Music in Belfast and the Improvised Music Company in Dublin, ‘Where Pathways Meet’ will feature a range of speakers from across the jazz sector, alongside a showcase of jazz talent from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The conference will cover a broad range of topics, with panels featuring musicians, educators, promoters, agents and managers from all five nations.
First Speakers Announced
We are thrilled that Belfast-born composer Brian Irvine MBE will join us on Thursday as a keynote speaker. His theme for this keynote is ‘Jazz as a Beacon of Hope’. As an artist whose work spans multiple genres and forms, from operas to oratorios, jazz to film soundtracks, Irvine offers a unique perspective. His singular musical world combines the known and the unknown, the free and the fixed, the schooled and the unschooled. As he puts it, “Connect, disrupt, reinvent and reimagine.”
The panels will feature a wide range of speakers, including musicians Orphy Robinson, Georgia Mancio, Claude Deppa, Tomos Williams, Scott Flanigan, David Lyttle, Steve Davis; educators Pauline Black, Paula Gardiner, Helena Summerfield (Jazz Camp for Girls), Paul O’Reilly; academics Sarah Raine, Nick Gebhardt; plus representatives of key organisations such as Black Lives In Music, Attitude is Everything and Jazz Newblood.
The opening ‘Routes Into Jazz’ panels will discuss the future of jazz in the UK and Ireland, with a focus on where the next generation of jazz activists, artists, promoters, agents, managers, labels and journalists is coming from. They will also ask ‘What does inclusion really mean?’
A series of Learning Sessions offer delegates the opportunity to share information and discuss topics including promotion, volunteering, funding, careers in music, greener touring, and education. A Five Nations Jazz panel will explore what’s going on across our five nations and how people are reacting to the post-Brexit environment and the cost-of-living crisis. There will also be an opportunity to hear from each of the five national arts funding bodies.
Please visit the JPN website and the conference registration page for more information on the speakers and topics. A full schedule will be published in the coming weeks.
Live Showcase
On the Thursday evening, delegates will have a chance to hear some of the most exciting jazz artists from across the island of Ireland in the relaxed surroundings of The Black Box (a few minutes from the MAC) in an unmissable programme curated by our conference partners Moving On Music and Improvised Music Company. Thrill to the sounds of Scott Flanigan Quartet, RBG Trio, Izumi Kimura and Lina Andonovska, Robocobra Quartet. There will be further live music slots throughout the daytime, including sets from MOBO award winning percussionist David Lyttleand drummer Steve Davis.
Ros Rigby, JPN Chair says, “The 2022 JPN Conference will be a chance for the jazz community right across the UK and Ireland to come together in a great setting to enjoy, finally, meeting up with friends and colleagues face to face. Crammed with sessions on a whole range of relevant topics, the event should provide delegates with ideas and approaches that will help in their day to day lives as musicians, promoters, agents and more. And we will get the chance to hear some great music from across the island of Ireland. See you in Belfast!”
Michael Bonner, Creative Producer, Moving on Music adds, “Moving on Music is delighted to help host the 2022 JPN Conference! It’s the first time the conference has been held in Ireland and we can’t wait to welcome travellers to Belfast for two days of conversation and wonderful music. Hope everybody has a great time, and thanks for making the trip!”
Caitríona O'Mahony, General Manager, Improvised Music Company comments, “IMC are delighted to partner with our colleagues Moving On Music for the 2022 JPN Conference in Belfast. It’s become even more evident in these last years that many of the same issues are affecting us all, but equally that shared ideas and practices can help us all overcome some of these issues. Working on islands and as neighbours, the creative solutions of the different organisations in Ireland and the UK will be invaluable to the future of jazz. On top of that, delegates will have the opportunity to enjoy some of the best jazz and improvised music that Ireland has to offer in intimate showcase performances. See you there!”
Ticketing Information & Bursaries
JPN Members are eligible for free access to the event. Simply select the JPN Member option on Eventbrite to secure your space. Those joining JPN now will also be eligible to attend for free as part of their membership, which is the same price as a conference ticket. To find out more about JPN membership and what benefits you receive as a member, please visit the website.
For non-members, full conference tickets are priced at £55 for individuals and voluntary organisations, and £140 for all other organisations. This ticket price includes access to the full conference programme, lunch and tickets for the artists showcase at Black Box (subject to availability). We offer day tickets at £40 for individuals and £100 for organisations. We’re also offering reduced-cost tickets for under-30s at £30 for both days and £15 for one day.
With the help of Creative Scotland, Arts Council Wales and JPN reserves, we are able to support up to 10 bursaries from Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland/Ireland for delegates across the UK and Ireland. These will assist with the cost of conference tickets, travel and accommodation. Further information and application forms will be available on the website from September 19.
We’re committed to making our conferences accessible to all. If you have any access requirements please let us know via membership@jazzpromotionnetwork.org.uk
Please note, this conference is an in-person only event; a summary of themes and major points raised will be available on the JPN website after the event.
Lunch will be provided at the conference. If you have any dietary requirements please select from the options when registering.
To register for the conference, click here.
Media queries to Stewart Smith, Communications Manager: comms@jazzpromotionnetwork.org.uk
Jazz Promotion Network gratefully acknowledges funding from Creative Scotland, Arts Council Wales and Arts Council Northern Ireland, and sponsorship from Making Music and The Musicians’ Union.
The UK and Ireland’s only jazz-specific network of creatives and industry professionals announces its 2022 conference in Belfast on Thursday 3 & Friday 4 November.
Keynote speech from award-winning composer Brian Irvine.
Unmissable showcase of Irish and Northern Irish jazz artists.
Tickets are now available for the 2022 Jazz Promotion Network conference, ‘Where Pathways Meet’. Taking place at The MAC, in Belfast’s vibrant Cathedral Quarter on 3 and 4 November, the conference will bring the UK and Irish jazz sector together to focus on the most important issues and topics in jazz right now. Inspired by the Sun Ra composition of the same name, ‘Where Pathways Meet’ will have a firm focus on the future of jazz in these islands and beyond. The programme will also provide ideas and practical advice that delegates will be able to apply in their own work immediately.
Programmed in partnership with Moving On Music in Belfast and the Improvised Music Company in Dublin, ‘Where Pathways Meet’ will feature a range of speakers from across the jazz sector, alongside a showcase of jazz talent from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The conference will cover a broad range of topics, with panels featuring musicians, educators, promoters, agents and managers from all five nations.
First Speakers Announced
We are thrilled that Belfast-born composer Brian Irvine MBE will join us on Thursday as a keynote speaker. His theme for this keynote is ‘Jazz as a Beacon of Hope’. As an artist whose work spans multiple genres and forms, from operas to oratorios, jazz to film soundtracks, Irvine offers a unique perspective. His singular musical world combines the known and the unknown, the free and the fixed, the schooled and the unschooled. As he puts it, “Connect, disrupt, reinvent and reimagine.”
The panels will feature a wide range of speakers, including musicians Orphy Robinson, Georgia Mancio, Claude Deppa, Tomos Williams, Scott Flanigan, David Lyttle, Steve Davis; educators Pauline Black, Paula Gardiner, Helena Summerfield (Jazz Camp for Girls), Paul O’Reilly; academics Sarah Raine, Nick Gebhardt; plus representatives of key organisations such as Black Lives In Music, Attitude is Everything and Jazz Newblood.
The opening ‘Routes Into Jazz’ panels will discuss the future of jazz in the UK and Ireland, with a focus on where the next generation of jazz activists, artists, promoters, agents, managers, labels and journalists is coming from. They will also ask ‘What does inclusion really mean?’
A series of Learning Sessions offer delegates the opportunity to share information and discuss topics including promotion, volunteering, funding, careers in music, greener touring, and education. A Five Nations Jazz panel will explore what’s going on across our five nations and how people are reacting to the post-Brexit environment and the cost-of-living crisis. There will also be an opportunity to hear from each of the five national arts funding bodies.
Please visit the JPN website and the conference registration page for more information on the speakers and topics. A full schedule will be published in the coming weeks.
Live Showcase
On the Thursday evening, delegates will have a chance to hear some of the most exciting jazz artists from across the island of Ireland in the relaxed surroundings of The Black Box (a few minutes from the MAC) in an unmissable programme curated by our conference partners Moving On Music and Improvised Music Company. Thrill to the sounds of Scott Flanigan Quartet, RBG Trio, Izumi Kimura and Lina Andonovska, Robocobra Quartet. There will be further live music slots throughout the daytime, including sets from MOBO award winning percussionist David Lyttleand drummer Steve Davis.
Ros Rigby, JPN Chair says, “The 2022 JPN Conference will be a chance for the jazz community right across the UK and Ireland to come together in a great setting to enjoy, finally, meeting up with friends and colleagues face to face. Crammed with sessions on a whole range of relevant topics, the event should provide delegates with ideas and approaches that will help in their day to day lives as musicians, promoters, agents and more. And we will get the chance to hear some great music from across the island of Ireland. See you in Belfast!”
Michael Bonner, Creative Producer, Moving on Music adds, “Moving on Music is delighted to help host the 2022 JPN Conference! It’s the first time the conference has been held in Ireland and we can’t wait to welcome travellers to Belfast for two days of conversation and wonderful music. Hope everybody has a great time, and thanks for making the trip!”
Caitríona O'Mahony, General Manager, Improvised Music Company comments, “IMC are delighted to partner with our colleagues Moving On Music for the 2022 JPN Conference in Belfast. It’s become even more evident in these last years that many of the same issues are affecting us all, but equally that shared ideas and practices can help us all overcome some of these issues. Working on islands and as neighbours, the creative solutions of the different organisations in Ireland and the UK will be invaluable to the future of jazz. On top of that, delegates will have the opportunity to enjoy some of the best jazz and improvised music that Ireland has to offer in intimate showcase performances. See you there!”
Ticketing Information & Bursaries
JPN Members are eligible for free access to the event. Simply select the JPN Member option on Eventbrite to secure your space. Those joining JPN now will also be eligible to attend for free as part of their membership, which is the same price as a conference ticket. To find out more about JPN membership and what benefits you receive as a member, please visit the website.
For non-members, full conference tickets are priced at £55 for individuals and voluntary organisations, and £140 for all other organisations. This ticket price includes access to the full conference programme, lunch and tickets for the artists showcase at Black Box (subject to availability). We offer day tickets at £40 for individuals and £100 for organisations. We’re also offering reduced-cost tickets for under-30s at £30 for both days and £15 for one day.
With the help of Creative Scotland, Arts Council Wales and JPN reserves, we are able to support up to 10 bursaries from Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland/Ireland for delegates across the UK and Ireland. These will assist with the cost of conference tickets, travel and accommodation. Further information and application forms will be available on the website from September 19.
We’re committed to making our conferences accessible to all. If you have any access requirements please let us know via membership@jazzpromotionnetwork.org.uk
Please note, this conference is an in-person only event; a summary of themes and major points raised will be available on the JPN website after the event.
Lunch will be provided at the conference. If you have any dietary requirements please select from the options when registering.
To register for the conference, click here.
Media queries to Stewart Smith, Communications Manager: comms@jazzpromotionnetwork.org.uk
Jazz Promotion Network gratefully acknowledges funding from Creative Scotland, Arts Council Wales and Arts Council Northern Ireland, and sponsorship from Making Music and The Musicians’ Union.
