This year the 10-day Manchester Jazz Festival, which has recently finalised its programme, is to feature a BBC Introducing Jazz on 3 broadcast, some DJ action from Doreen Edwards at the Festival Pavilion teepee, and Dark Matter on opening day. Trumpeter Yazz Ahmed, BBC New Generation artist Trish Clowes and her band Tangent, and the BBC Big Band with Claire Martin are all among the first Saturday’s highlights; with the Sunday 28 July programme kicking off with the Music For Life Big Band featuring Mike Walker for starters, and Snarky Puppy, everywhere on the UK scene at the moment, headlining in the evening at Band on the Wall. The Anton Hunter trio, and Bristol band Moonlight Saving Time play on Monday 29 July and there’s also a jam at the Matt and Phred’s club that night. Stuart McCallum at Band on the Wall on Tuesday 30 July should be a popular draw, and then ReVoice singer Georgia Mancio and the legendary saxophonist Pharoah Sanders are the Wednesday names to watch for. Gilles Peterson-endorsed piano trio GoGo Penguin are scheduled for Thursday at Band on the Wall, and then Leeds mavericks Shatner’s Bassoon, and highly rated trumpeter Laura Jurd are two of the main draws of the busy Friday programme. Dice Factory then make a rare north west appearance on the penultimate day, and the festival wraps on the Sunday with events to include an appearance by the duo of Iain Ballamy and Gareth Williams. SG
Full programme details are at www.manchesterjazz.comPharoah Sanders above