A showcase of exciting emerging jazz artists from the North of the UK from Jazz North’s talent development programme ‘Northern Line’.

Now in its 10th year, Northern Line is Jazz North’s live touring support scheme, helping artists from across the north of England to deliver high-quality live shows on profile-raising stages

Northern Line champions the most pioneering, bold and innovative artists across the northern jazz scene. It’s a roster of the best new talent, recognised by promoters, festivals, funders and management. The 18-month programme supports artists to reach the next stage of their live performance career through targeted 1:1 support and network development. Since its inception in 2013, Northern Line has supported over 75 artists to perform over 700 subsidised gigs.

As part of the EFG London Jazz Festival, Jazz North is bringing three fantastic Northern Line artists to the Barbican Free Stage on Sunday 19th November from 5PM.

From Liverpool, Manchester and Sheffield, Sarah Heneghan, Amique & the Ecstasy and Maruja will fill the Barbican concourse with punk-fuelled, soul-filled and genre-bending jazz from the North.

Amique & The Ecstasy

an exciting, genre-bending band, drawing influences as rich and diverse as Prince, Free Nationals, John Coltrane & Jimi Hendrix. Fronted by Amique, the Ecstasy regularly tears the roof off at Fredericks in their hometown of Liverpool.

Maruja

Maruja are growing their reputation as one of the most exciting live acts coming from the Manchester underground, gaining support from the likes of NME, Glastonbury and BBC 6 Radio music, Maruja’s shows dazzle fans across the UK and Europe. For a decade they’ve relentlessly honed their psychedelic jazz-punk craft, poring over every note with a precision that borders on the obsessive, resulting in an electrifying, unparalleled live experience.

Sarah Heneghan

Brought to you by Sheffield-based drummer Sarah Heneghan, Power Out is a performative mish-mash of live drums, electronics, and lights to create a whirling atmosphere of beats; some dancey, others immersive. The set brings a narrative of pumping dance music contrasted with improvised live drumming. This is coupled with bespoke lighting to create a show that blows apart expectations of what solo drumming can be, and what jazz-fusion performances can show you.

Please note Sarah’s short showcase set at London Jazz Fest will not include the lighting set up.