Manchester Jazz Festival throws a weekend-long closing party at Band on the Wall

Manchester Jazz Festival makes its much-anticipated return this month (19-28 May), bringing 10 days of live music from some of the best northern, national and international musicians from across the spectrum of contemporary jazz to a handful of the city’s most beloved venues.

The festival kicks off with a free opening weekender in the vibrant First Street neighbourhood (19-21 May) and culminates with a huge, weekend-long party at Band on the Wall. Getting things going on Fri 26 May will be Ibibio Sound Machine and their electrifying fusion of West-African funk and disco, followed by Me Gusta present Habibi Funk, bringing a mash-up of wild and wonderful genres.

On Sat 27 May, A triple bill of Marcus Joseph, the Romarna Campbell Trio and the Robocobra Quartet also promises to be a standout, alongside the iconic Buena Vista Social Club’s Eliades Ochoa on Sun 28 May – unanimously regarded as of the best Cuban guitarists of his generation.

The closing weekend also includes an array of female-led artists and ensembles: 23 year-old singer- songwriter and guitarist Rosie Frater-Taylor, Hannabiell and the Midnight Blue Collective who brings high energy Afro-Caribbean & Latin percussion, Jazz, Afro-beat and Funk into the mix and Julie Campiche Quartet – a harpist on a mission to bring the instrument to the forefront of contemporary music and jazz.

Throughout the closing weekend there will be an impressive slate of free gigs on the bar stage at Band on the Wall, featuring 8-piece soul and fusion band Mikoudi and Manchester-based singer-songwriter Emily Mercer whose rich piano-driven arrangements blend jazz, pop and folk. Nguvu also return for a blend of jazz-fusion, hip hop and afro-inspired funk and Pyjaen and Rachael Jean Harris bring their own unique flavour to the festival atmosphere.

For more information on any of the shows and to book tickets, click the button below.