This autumn the Jazz Promotion Network (JPN) is launching a programme of double bill concerts featuring graduates from the jazz courses at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and Leeds College of Music, and taking in venues in Sheffield, Birmingham, Nottingham, Lyme Regis, Bristol and London.

The Emerging Talent project aims to bridge a gap that exists between jazz courses and the early years of a young musician’s career. Jez Matthews, a jazz promoter based in Sheffield, and the instigator of the project, explains that many students struggle in the first few years after graduation to find opportunities to sustain musical projects and develop their artistic careers. As a result they are forced to focus on less ambitious work in order to make a living. Developed by Jez Matthews and the JPN Board, and supported by funds from the the Arts Council, the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and Leeds College of Music,

The scheme is a pilot, which it is hoped will lead to a much wider scheme taking in musicians from a broad range of music courses and youth music schemes from across the UK. The bands for the pilot were nominated by their respective courses in Leeds and Birmingham and showcased to promoters at the JPN conference in 2017. I chose these two bands from the four on show.

Josh Scofield Quartet

Led by Josh Schofield on saxophones, this is one of the most exciting groups to emerge from the Birmingham course in recent years, with a tremendous energy based on the jazz modern mainstream. All these guys are of similar age and attend the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Josh has another quartet with seasoned pro's; bassist Percy Pursglove and drummer Andrew Bain who have mentored him through his fledgling gigs.

Josh was a member of the award winning Midland Youth Jazz Orchestra (MYJO) for over 3 years, with whom he had the opportunity to perform with across the Midlands and further afield with guests including Bobby Shew and Clair Teal. In 2016 he appeared live on BBC 2 with MYJO, playing music from Duke Ellington’s ’Such Sweet Thunder’, alongside Birmingham Royal Ballet.

Josh runs his own Quartet with whom he will be touring England in Autumn 2018, as part of the Jazz Promotion Networks Emerging Talent Project.

Listen to some of Josh's own compositions here

Morpher

Formed in Leeds, fusing acoustic instruments with electronic effects, Morpher blend their jazz upbringing with hints of drum and bass, hip-hop and electronic music. Their live performance is an unforgettable experience where you will be exposed to unheard sounds and grooves that are guaranteed to blow your ears off.

Just over a year on from their debut gig supporting a sold out show at Belgrave Music Hall and Canteen, they have continued to sell out shows across Leeds and North of England whilst traveling the country. Highlights include London Jazz Festival 2017 and opening up Lancaster Jazz Festival 2018.

The group released their debut single last May - with more music on the way this Summer and a UK Tour planned for October 2018.

If you like Get The Blessing these young lads will be right up your street, grab an earful.

Track sampler: Riding the Space Potato