Manchester Theatre News & Reviews

Singin' The Blues & All That Jazz

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Whilst Manchester is celebrated for its indie, rock, pop and folk acts, it has never really had the recognition it deserves for its contribution to jazz and blues.

We take a look at the local artists who deserve your attention (listed in order of monthly Spotify listeners):

1) Simply Red

One of the best-selling bands of all time, since their inception in 1977 - as The Frantic Elevators - Mick Hucknall's Manchester group have covered almost every genre imaginable; from punk to pop, soul to dance, jazz to reggae, blues to electonica, and rock to Cuban salza. Still one of the best artists to see live, they have sold over 50 million records worldwide.

2) The Cinematic Orchestra

Formed by Jason Swinscoe in London, in 1999, the distinctive nu-jazz and downtempo group was largely made up of Mancunian musicians, who include Luke Flowers (drums, 2003-date), Phil France (bass, 1999-2012), John Ellis (piano, 2002-08), Milo Fell (percussion, 2002-08), Stuart McCallum (guitar, 2007-08), Greg Morgan (drums, 2002), Dave Heath (flute, 2008), and Lewis Edney (trombone, 2008), whilst Lamb vocalist Lou Rhodes also provided guest vocals on their 2007 "Ma Fleur" album.

With Swinscoe taking a hiatus, from 2012 until 2019, McCallum, Ellis, France and Flowers would go on to form the brilliant Mancunian folk act The Breath, with Ríoghnach Connolly.

Flowers (whilst still performing with The Breath) was the only Manchester-based member to appear on the Cinematic Orchestra's 2019 UK Top 20 comeback album, "To Believe."

See The Breath live on tour

3) Lisa Stansfield

The multi-million selling Rochdale soulstress has ventured into jazz throughout her career, most memoriably when playing a jazz singer in the 1999 film "Swing." She is also credited with giving saxophonist Snake Davis his big break, thanks to his solo on her 1991 single, "Change".

No upcoming UK concerts

4) Floating Points

The classically trained Mancunian electronic musician, DJ, and neuroscientist, Sam Shepherd, is the son of a Manchester vicar. He was a chorister at Manchester Cathedral before going on to study piano at Chetham’s School of Music and his highly eclectic work refelects his musical influences, which are as diverse as Claude Debussy, 80s synth-pop band Talk Talk, and American jazz pianist Bill Evans. In April 2021, he reached no.6 in the UK charts with his third album, "Promises", a collaboration with The London Symphony Orchestra, and legendary spiritual jazz saxophonist Pharoah Sanders - who, at 80, is 40 years his elder.

No upcoming UK concerts

5) Jess Gillam

The Ulverston-born saxophonist attended the Junior Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, whilst still at secondary school, although dropped out of the senior RNCM before completing her undergraduate course. As well as appearing with The Halle Orchestra, she is a protege of Snake Davis, and the youngest ever presenter on BBC Radio 3, the first saxophonist to be signed to the Decca Classics label, the first saxophonist to reach the final of BBC Young Musician of the Year, and a Classic BRIT award winner. Her debut album "RISE" reached No.1 in the UK Classical charts. She has now established the Jess Gillam Ensemble, a group of close friends performing a range of music.

No upcoming UK concerts

6) IAMDDB

The hotly-tipped Mancunian urban jazz vocalist, Diana Debrito, was born in Lisbon to Angolan-Portuguese and Saudi Arabian musician parents before moving to Manchester aged five. Her unique mix of jazz, trap and hip hop has earned her millions of streams on Spotify and YouTube.

7) Crazy P

Crazy P (or Crazy Penis, as they were previously known) are a soulful jazz-funk trio fronted by Bury's Danielle Moore. Formed in Manchester in 1996, they are extremely popular on the festival circuit with their blend of disco, house and funk scoring millions of downloads.

8) John Mayall

The legendary Macclesfield-born "Godfather of British Blues" learned to play piano at the Manchester School of Art (where Mick Hucknall would later attend), becoming a regular at the all night R&B sessions at the nearby Twisted Wheel cellar club. In 1963 he moved to London, aged 30, to form the influential Bluesbreakers, showcasing young musicians like Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Mick Taylor, Harvey Mandel, and fellow Mancunian Hughie Flint amongst many others. His 1971 solo album,"Memories", with the track "The City" was about his days growing up in Manchester. Arguably the most influential British blues artist of all time, he is still touring to this day, aged 87.

No upcoming UK concerts

9) Pip Millett

The Stockport soulstress emerged onto the scene in 2017 with her urban jazz, R&B, soul and reggae Lauryn Hill-influenced sound quickly gathering millions of downloads.

10) Marconi Union

The ground-breaking Mancunian ambient jazz instrumental trio are most famed for their 2011 eight-minute long track, "Weightless", which was recorded in collaboration with the British Academy of Sound Therapy, to induce a trance-like state. Streamed 140 million times on Spotify alone (presumably by therapists, masseurs and insomniacs), it is widely regarded as the most soothing track ever recorded, with scientific studies showing it reduced anxiety of patients by up to 65%. With a rich catalogue of work, their other compostions include elements of dub, jazz, ambience and electronica.

No upcoming UK concerts

11) Matthew Halsall

The driving force behind Manchester's rain soaked new jazz scene, the MOBO-nominated Manchester-based spiritual jazz trumpeter and composer founded the city's influential Gondwana Records label, in 2008, which has now grown internationally with satellite offices in London and Berlin.

12) Aim

Jazzy hip hop electronica producer Andrew Turner, from Barrow-in-Furness, first hit the scene when he signed to Manchester's Grand Central Records label in 1999. The son of a jazz drummer, along with label bosses Rae & Christian, and label mate Riton, his sound typifies the iconic Northern Quarter label, blending funky electronic music, acid jazz, and hip hop beats.

No upcoming UK concerts

13) The Mouse Outfit

Part hip hop production team / part live jazz band, this ever growing collective of Manchester jazz influenced hip hop, funk and reggae musicians have enjoyed millions of steams since being founded by longstay members Chini and Defty in 2013. Their line-up has included over 85 local musicians including IAMDDB, Black Josh, Kinkai, Layfullstop, Fox, and Dr Syntax.

See The Mouse Outfit live in other cities

14) GoGo Penguin

Proteges of Matthew Halsall's Gondwana Records, the Mercury Prize-shortlisted Manchester leftfield jazz trio incorporate elements of jazz, electronica, trip-hop, rock and classical music on their two UK Top 75 albums, which also topped the UK Jazz charts, and saw them sell out The Royal Albert Hall.

15) Swing Out Sister

The legendary soulful jazz trio, famed for the 1986 pop hit "Breakout", formed in Manchester after a chance meeting at The Hacienda by A Certain Ratio keyboard player Andy Connell, former Magazine drummer Martin Jackson and Nottingham born model Corinne Drewery. Still based in Manchester, they are now a duo.

No upcoming UK concerts

16) The Durutti Column

Vini Reilly's Factory Records post-punk jazz project was the first band to be released on Manchester's iconic Factory Records label in 1978 (alongside Joy Division, John Dowie and Cabaret Voltaire). The former Ed Banger & The Nosebleeds guitarist is often featured joined by Alberto Y Lost Trios Paranoias drummer Bruce Mitchell.

No upcoming UK concerts

17) Glue70

The mellow jazz-driven Manchester electronica producer who emerged from the Flow Theory music collective delivers bass heavy beats and 80s inspired lo-fi. A long time collaborator of local poetic rapper KinKai.

See KinKai live at The Blues Kitchen, Manchester

18) Mr. Scruff

Popular around Manchester since 1995, and finding wider fame due to his 1999 sampling of 1969 jazz classic "Bird's Lament" by Moondog (who died just a few weeks after its release), Stockport electronic "Trouser Jazz" DJ, Andy Carthy, was also the owner of Teacup in the Northern Quarter, until its COVID-19 forced closure in 2021. His "Keep It Unreal" club nights are some of the most popular in the city.

No upcoming UK concerts

19) Rae & Christian

The jazzy trip-hop Manchester-based electronic production duo, Mark Rae and Steve Christian, developed an instantly recognisable sound with their Northern Quarter-based influential Grand Central Records label, in 1995. Fusing hip-hop, soul, and jazz, and featuring artists like Bobby Womack, and The Pharcyde, their influence on the Manchester music scene throughout the 1990s helped launch the careers of many local artists, such as fellow DJs Riton, and Aim, together with long-time collaborators Veba, and Mark Rae's Canadian cousin, Kate Rogers.

No upcoming UK concerts

20) Mammal Hands

Although formed in Norwich, the incredible semi-classical hypnotic avant-garde jazz trio are signed to Matthew Halsall's Manchester's Gondwana Records label and split their time between Norfolk and their "home from home" at 80 Hertz Studios in Newton Heath. Brothers Nick and Jordan Smart also have a spin-off electronica outfit called Sundra Arc.

21) Elkie Brooks

The Prestwich "Queen of British blues", born Elkie Bookbinder (sister of The Dakotas drummer Tony Mansfield), fronted Dada and Vinegar Joe before enjoying a massively successul solo career in the 1970s and 80s, with her 1981 album "Pearls" reaching no.2 in the UK charts.

See Elkie Brooks live on tour

22) Georgie Fame

The Leigh-born keyboard legend (born Clive Powell) is famous for his blend of jazz and American R&B, which saw him top the UK charts in the 1960s with his band, The Blue Flames, with the singles "Yeh, Yeh", "Get Away", and "The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde." A founding member of Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings, he regualrly tours with Van Morrison and has also worked with Count Basie, Eric Clapton, Muddy Waters, Joan Armatrading, and fellow Wiganers, The Verve.

23) The Gondwana Orchestra

The Manchester gospel jazz orchestra from Gondwana Records founder Matthew Halsall, features Mancunian Cinematic Orchestra drummer Luke Flowers alongside other local musicians, including Rachel Gladwin on harp, and soulful vocalist Josephine Oniyama.

No upcoming UK concerts

24) Phil France

The Huddersfield-born, Manchester-based former Cinematic Orchestra co-writer and bassist, is signed to Matthew Halsall's Gondwana Records, and delivers beautiful trancelike electronic-textured instrumentals.

No upcoming UK concerts

25) Alabaster DePlume

The Mancunian multi-instrumentalist, spoken word artist, and jazz saxophonist (real name Gus Fairbairn), was a mental health support worker in Manchester, working for the Ordinary Lifestyles charity, which supports people with learning disabilities, helping them live in their own homes. A period which inspired his beautiful instrumental album "To Cy & Lee."

See Alabaster DePlume live on tour

26) J-Walk

Since blasting on to the scene in 2000 with the amazing "Soul Vibration", Fat City Records boss and Manchester DJ Martin Fisher (a.k.a. Martin Brew) has created an instantly recognisable jazz funk and cosmic soul sound, over the space of four albums.

No upcoming UK concerts

27) Barry Adamson

Namechecked by Guns'n'Roses bass player Duff McKagan as a major influence, the legendary Moss Side multi-instrumentalist and former Magazine bassist mixes soul-jazz, dub, electronica and funk; and has been featured on the soundtracks of David Lynch's "Lost Highway" and Oliver Stone's "Natural Born Killers" among many others.

No upcoming UK concerts

28) Mecca:83

The excellent Mancunian space-jazz DJ, Evan Jones, blends hip hop and deep jazz samples with vinatge drum machines

No upcoming UK concerts

29) Michael McGoldrick

OK, strictly speaking not jazz, but the Mancunian folk artist is one of the finest Irish flute players in the world, emerging from the influential Manchester Irish band, Toss The Feathers, to go on to enjoy solo success alongside being a key member of Capercaillie, Lúnasa, the Afro Celt Soundsytem, Future Trad Collective, and a long term member of both Kate Rusby, and Mark Knopfler's backing bands.

See Michael McGoldrick live in Bury

30) Jah Wobble

Deeply immersed in the Manchester scene, the legendary Bramhall-based Londoner is best known for his time with post-punk outfit Public Image Limited, however his prolific genre-defying solo career - largely released on his own Stockport-based 30 Hertz label - and with his band, The Invaders of the Heart, has delivered groundbreaking dub-heavy jazz, funk and global folk, with many local collaborations, including Marconi Union, Intastellar, Simply Red, and Primal Scream.

No upcoming UK concerts

31) Peter Skellern

The Bury jazz pianist enjoyed success in the 1970s, reaching no.3 in the UK charts with "You're A Lady," in 1972 - which was later covered by Openshaw's Davy Jones of the Monkees, and lovingly parodied by fellow Bury legend, Victoria Wood. Among many TV soundtracks, he wrote the lyrics for the song "One More Kiss, Dear" from the 1982 film "Blade Runner." He died, aged 69, as a result of a brain tumour, in February 2017.

32) Layfullstop

The Manchester-born, Birmingham-raised, Manchester-based urban jazz soulstress has won critical acclaim for her hypnotic blend of soul-jazz and hip-hop.

No upcoming UK concerts

33) Jack Hylton

One of the most popular musicians of all time, "The Ambassador of British Dance Music" was born in Great Lever, the son of a Little Lever pub landlord. By the mid-1920s the Bolton bandleader was usually referred as the "British King of Jazz", a notion he initially dismissed, claiming that jazz was just "a bunch of noises" popular at the end of the First World War, "when everything was topsy-turvy." Incredibly popular in the United States, as well as Britain, he is credited for bringing Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong and others to Europe in the 1930s.

By the time of the Second World War, the Jack Hylton Orchestra was disbanded, with many of its members called up to serve in the army. Afterwards he became a successful radio and theatre impresario, never forgetting his working class roots, and briefly flirted with the idea of standing as the Labour MP for Bolton in 1954. He died of a heart attack, aged 72, in 1965.

34) Eddie Calvert

A popular face on BBC Radio and TV during the 1950s, the Preston-born, Manchester-based "Man with the Golden Trumpet" became the first British instrumentalist to achieve two number one singles, in 1955, with covers of "Oh Mein Papa" and "Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White". He died in 1978, aged 56, from a heart attack.

35) Honeyfeet

Manchester’s best ethio-trad, barrel-house blues, cowpunk and folk-hop band, are built around the incredible vocal prowess of singer Ríoghnach Connolly, who also fronts Manchester folk act The Breath with former Cinematic Orchestra members Stuart McCallum, John Ellis, Phil France, and Luke Flowers.

36) McGuinness Flint

The blues and country rock band was formed in 1970 by Manfred Mann guitarist Tom McGuinness, and John Mayall's Mancunian drummer Hughie Flint. Their debut single "When I'm Dead and Gone" reached No.2 in the UK with the follow-up "Malt and Barley Blues" also a Top No.5 hit. The duo would go on to form The Blues Band, in 1979, with Manfred Mann vocalist Paul Jones, although the Mancunian drummer would leave after their second album in 1982.

37) Nick Walters

Emerging from Manchester's Riot Jazz, and The Beats & Pieces Big Band, the Kent-raised, London-based, University of Manchester graduate is perhaps best known for his trumpet work with Ruby Rushton, and his own Paradox Ensemble

No upcoming UK concerts

38) Caoilfhionn Rose

Pronounced Keelin, the superb Manchester folk, jazz, and ambient vocalist is signed to Matthew Halsall's Gondwana Records label and is perhaps best known for her work with Vini Reilly of The Durutti Column.

No upcoming UK concerts

39) Riot Jazz Band

The nine piece funky genre-bending Manchester brass band perform everything from jazz, funk, dub, hip hop, and even Balkan, most famously offering unique covers of the likes of Bon Jovi, Britney Spears, Shaggy and Blink 182.

See Riot Jazz live at Blues Kitchen, Manchester

40) Quando Quango

The electronic music jazz trio, formed in Rotterdam by Factory Record's Mancunian A&R man Mike Pickering, with Hillegonda Rietveld and Reinier Rietveld, in 1981, heavily influenced the underground dance music scenes in New York and Chicago in the 1980s. With the opening of The Haçienda, the band moved to Manchester in 1982 with Pickering becoming one of the legendary club's most famous DJs, and later going on to form dance duo T-Coy and, later, M People.

New Order's Bernard Sumner and A Certain Ratio's Donald Johnson produced the bands early work, with the likes of Johnny Marr, Vini Reilly, 52nd Street and Lisa Stansfield collaborating.

41) Ren Harvieu

The soulful Broughton vocalist reached no.5 in the UK album charts with her 2012 debut album, "Through The Night", which delivers early-60s pop, jazz, soul and blues rock compositions reminiscent of fellow Salfordian Elkie Brooks.

See Ren Harvieu live on tour

42) Suns of Arqa

The legendary World Music and jazz collective were founded in Manchester, in 1979, by Michael Wadada and have featured over 200 musicians from around the world, who Wadada had met on his travels, as well as fellow Mancunian acts like John Cooper Clarke, 808 State, A Guy Called Gerald, John Leckie, Marcel King, and Helen Watson.

43) Kirsty Almeida

Born in Scotland, and raised in Gibraltar, the critically acclaimed left-field genre-crossing singer-songwriter moved to Manchester and, after quiting a deal with Decca records, opted to focus on raising her children and establishing the Wonder Inn – a beautiful but short-lived holistic wellbeing, yoga and live jazz centre at Shudehill. She now lives in Hebden Bridge. She returned to music in 2020 with the stunning album"Moonbird".

No upcoming UK concerts

44) 52nd Street

The Factory Records-signed 1980's jazz-funk and R&B band enjoyed minor success both in the UK and the USA between 1982 and 1988, with their 1985 single "Tell Me (How It Feels)" reaching no.8 in the US R&B charts.

No upcoming UK concerts

45) GZ Tian

Inspired by his father, who played in punk and jazz bands, and mother, who was a Chinese harp performer, the talented eclectic 19 year old Chinese-Mancunian rapper - real name Charlie Wardle - fuses Chinese sonics with jazz, moody trap, hip hop, and rock.

No upcoming UK concerts

46) Proud Mary

The Mancunian-Americana blues rockers first gained attention in 1998 when they became the first band signed to Noel Gallagher's Sour Mash label. Lead singer Paul Newsome, from Royton, has also toured with Gallagher's High Flying Birds.

47) Yadava

The So Flute clubnight co-founder DJ mixes, jazz funk, house and samba. Guaranteed to get your feet moving.

See Yadava at Yes Manchester

48) Swamp Children

Formed in 1980, the jazz-funk band featured A Certain Ratio's Martin Moscrop on trumpet, and Ceri Evans on keyboard (who would later become an original member of the Brand New Heavies and a top garage producer, under the name of Sunship). They released two 12"s and an album on Factory Records in 1982 before changing their name and line-up a year later to Kalima.

49) Kalima

Originally formed in 1980 as Swamp Children, the Manchester-based Factory Records funk, Latin and acid jazz band changed their name to Kalima in 1980, after a 1978 Elvin Jones track, and added A Certain Ratio's Jez Kerr and Andy Connell. This meant the band contained all members of A Certain Ratio except Donald Johnson, causing problems when trying to coordinate both band's schedules and tours. A fact not helped when Andy Connell also achieved chart success with Swing Out Sister, which saw him leave both Kalima and ACR.

50) Baked A La Ska

The 11 member Manchester ska group, serve up the city's "heavy heavy" sound, with jazzy originals and quirky covers.

No upcoming UK concerts

51) John Ellis

Another artist signed to Matthew Halsall's Gondwana Records label, the Manchester-based pianist was a founder member of The Cinematic Orchestra and has also worked with the likes of Corinne Bailey Rae, Tom Jones, Lily Allen, and John Squire.

No upcoming UK concerts

52) Snake Davis

Although playing the local scene since 1983, the legendary saxophonist (real name Christopher Davis) first found proper fame when he was spotted in 1988 by Lisa Stansfield whilst performing at the Band on The Wall. She asked him to join her band, Blue Zone, in 1988, and the rest, they say, is history. As a session musician he has collaborated with the likes of Paul McCartney, Beyonce, George Michael, Ray Charles, Tina Turner, Amy Winehouse, Cher, Kylie Minogue, Primal Scream, The Spice Girls, Shirley Bassey, Dionne Warwick, Cliff Richard, Randy Crawford, The Eurythmics, Pet Shop Boys, Culture Club, Calvin Harris, Five, Blue, OMD, Errol Brown, Soul II Soul, Robert Palmer, Thunder, Motorhead, Dusty Springfield, Living in a Box, Belle & Sebastian, and Paul Hardcastle, as well as Manchester acts Swing Out Sister, N-Trance, K-Klass, Sad Cafe, Helen Watson, and Fifth of Heaven, although he is perhaps most instantly recognised for his solos on Lisa Stansfield's "Change", M People's "Moving On Up", and "Search for the Hero", and Take That's "A Million Love Songs".

See Snake Davis live on tour

53) Mamma Freedom

The funky Manchester blues rockers describe their sound, comparable to Thunder, as "Bond score meets soul." With four albums to their name, they are certainly worthy of more attention.

No upcoming UK concerts

54) Bethlehem Casuals

Regulars on the jazz festival circuit, the seven self-styled groove gremlins from the back end of Manchester mix folk, jazz, disco, indie and more.

No upcoming UK concerts

55) Beats & Pieces Big Band

Bandleader and conductor Ben Cottrell assembled his contemporary jazz band with 13 other Royal Northern College of Music students in 2008, and the band have gone on to be a driving force of the vibrant Manchester music scene.

No upcoming UK concerts

56) The Jazz Defektors

The 1980's Manchester jazz-dance band comprised the very best dancers in Manchester and starred in the film "Absolute Beginners" (as dancers). Their foray as recording artists came after dancing to a Willie Bobo track which many believed was them, when in fact they were miming. They were offered a gig as support act to Sade at the Ritz in Manchester a month later and released an album on Factory Records.

57) Pat Kirkwood

Dubbed 'Britain's first wartime star', the Salford-born, Levenshulme-raised songstress and stage actress first found fame in 1838, aged 18, and became famous for her rendition of Cole Porter's song "My Heart Belongs to Daddy," recorded with the Jack Hylton Orchestra. Rumours of an affair with Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, continued for many years after they met in her dressing room in 1948.

58) Cecil & Leslie Norman

Oldham pianist Cecil Norman (real name Cecil Law) went from being an eight year old child prodigy, in 1905, to forming the Norman Sissel & His Rhythm Twisters band with his saxophonist brother, Leslie, a member of Jack Hylton's big band. It wasn't until 1945 though, that, with his new ensemble, Cecil Norman & The Rhythm Players, he would become one of the country's most popular band leaders, thanks to his long-running 'Music While You Work' BBC radio show, which broadcast until 1967. After the Rhythm Players disbanded in 1971, he sadly spent his later life in poverty, living off Meals On Wheels help, and having to sell his beloved piano in order to pay the bills. He died, in 1988, aged 81.