Supporting the next generation of creative talent

Collaborations with Birmingham Royal Ballet, B:Music, SoundLab, Access Creative College Birmingham & Amplify Sounds.

7-9 July 2023, Moseley Park, Birmingham.

As well as booking big name international acts, Birmingham’s Mostly Jazz Funk and Soul Festival (Friday 7 to Sunday 9 July 2023) is actively supporting the next generation of young creatives with a series of new partnerships.

Among the organisations the annual outdoor festival is teaming up with this year are Birmingham Royal Ballet (BRB), B:Music, SoundLab, Access Creative College Birmingham and Amplify Sounds.

BRB’s Learning, Engagement, Access and Participation (LEAP) team have been working with a group of young dancers from the West Midlands to present a performance inspired by BRB’s Still Life at The Penguin Café production. Performed over two days (Saturday and Sunday), 20 dancers will travel from across the festival site, through the crowd, towards the main stage for a colourful finale.

Appearing on the B:Music Jazz Stage on Saturday is B:and Together. A Jazzline Ensemble open to young musicians aged 11-19 years-old, the talented group is led by pianist/composer Andy Bunting, and rehearse jazz and gospel music regularly at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall.

SoundLab is a free-to-access programme for 11-18 year-olds that provides space for young people to explore their musical creativity. For Mostly Jazz 2023, ten ‘SoundLabbers’ have formed a new band and will be writing and arranging a set inspired by the festival’s line-up.

Also appearing are Juliet, who released her debut single Manifester earlier this year, and Hillsdom collaborator Solo Jane – both selected by Access Creative College whose aim is to give both artists valuable festival experience.

Meanwhile, city-based live music platform Amplify Sounds will be curating various performances across the weekend.

John Fell, Mostly Jazz Funk and Soul’s Manager, said: “Although we have a reputation for attracting big name acts, the festival has long provided a platform for up-and-coming creative talent. Collaborating with these West Midlands-based organisations not only helps the individuals at the beginnings of their careers gain much-valued experience, but also exposes audiences to exciting new work and artists too.

“We look forward to continuing to collaborate with all these organisations.“

Based in Birmingham, this year’s Mostly Jazz Funk and Soul runs from Friday 7 to Sunday 9 July 2023 and features headline appearances from Fat Freddy’s Drop, Kokoroko, Jungle DJ Set, Goldie (Live) (Friday); Ezra Collective, Fred Wesley and The New JBs, Smoove and Turrell, Mr Scruff (Saturday); and KC & The Sunshine Band, Incognito, Craig Charles, Norman Jay MBE, Jamz Supernova and Huey Morgan (Sunday). For tickets and more information see: mostlyjazz.co.uk/tickets

For more information on the organisations mentioned, see:

• BRB: www.brb.org.uk

• B:Music: bmusic.co.uk

• Soundlab: www.soundlabonline.org.uk

• Access Creative College Birmingham: accesscreative.ac.uk/campuses/birmingham/

• Amplify Sounds: www.amplifysounds.co.uk