Jazz North are delighted to welcome Heather Spencer to the team as the new Programme Manager. Heather will be shaping and delivering activities that support the northern jazz sector, including responsive artist development, promoter and artist networking and sector consultation.
Heather brings with her a wealth of experience having worked in the jazz sector as a promoter, producer, and creative learning project manager across the North East. Alongside her freelance event work at arts festivals, she is co-founder and co-director of DJAZZ: The Durham City Jazz Festival. Previous positions include Jazz Development Coordinator at Sage Gateshead and co-programmer of Middlesbrough Jazz Weekender and Sunday Jazz at Middlesbrough Town Hall. As an alumnus of HMUK Jazz Promoter Fellowship, her work has continued to champion women musicians, educators, and young people with the endeavour to challenge the gender imbalance in the industry. She was also part of the production and programme team behind the planned 2020 edition of Gateshead Jazz Festival.
“I'm thrilled to be joining the team at Jazz North and really look forward to working with the fantastic artists and promoters in our region,” says Heather. “I feel very privileged to join the ranks of an organisation I've admired and worked with for many years and although there are challenges ahead, I believe our sector will rebuild to be stronger than ever.”
Heather will be working closely with the small team at Jazz North, which includes Director of Talent Development Steve Mead, Digital Director Nigel Slee and Chief Executive Lesley Jackson. “We are delighted that Heather has joined us,” says Lesley. “She brings a compelling blend of creative energy, solid industry experience and an innate understanding of the northern jazz scene as well as a personal passion for the music. We are looking forward to working with her to refine and develop programmes that will support the sector as it moves forward into a positive future.”
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