Jazz North’s Northern Online Broadcasts festival is back for its 4th year, and this time there will be a more holistic approach to help those in lockdown as it follows the theme ‘Body and Soul’. From Wednesday 6th to Saturday 9th May Jazz North will re-stream performances from its northern line showcase from Lancaster Jazz Festival in September 2019 and, in between performances, viewers can also do some yoga, cook a meal and drop-in to a social gathering, all online.
Broadcast from Jazz North’s Facebook page and YouTube channel, there will be performances from Jazz North northern line artists Beyond Albedo, freese trio, John Pope Quintet, Nishla Smith Quinet, Not Now Charlie, Rafe's Dilemma and SogoRock. Before each midday performance will be yoga with Jason Scott and before each 8pm performance will be a practical cooking demonstration by four experienced northern jazz chefs.
Jazz North’s Digital Director and organiser of Northern Online Broadcasts, Nigel Slee, says it’s important to add a holistic element to this year’s festival. “The online world is very different to when the festival first started four years ago,” he says. “This year it’s not just the music, but the whole experience of a festival that can help people in this lockdown. It’s important to remember the whole body – we need to think about exercise and eating properly in order to live a balanced life. So, we’ve packed it all in to make an exciting programme of music, exercise, food, get togethers, interviews and discussions - what better way to incorporate that festival vibe, where you can experience food from around the world and do a yoga morning session, than to include it in our online festival? It’s a great way to try something new, feel good and enjoy the best jazz the north has to offer.”
Presenters Megan Roe (J Frisco) and John Pope (Archipelago, Ponyland and his own Quintet) will pull this full schedule together, which also includes panel discussions with European jazz festival directors and national jazz organisations, as well as an opportunity for artists to socialise at afternoon Zoom drop ins. Megan and John will be interviewing artists and promoters from different areas in the north for ‘Northern Scenes’ – a chance to find out anything from how they are reacting to the current situation to what it’s like being involved with Jazz North’s northern line.
Photo credits: Rafe's Dilemma by Porl Medlock
