Artephis

Award-winning, contemporary jazz-rock quintet based in Manchester, artephis comprises some of the North's most creatively diverse young musicians, who met at the Royal Northern College of Music. They were the Jazz North Introduces artist for 2015-16.

Since forming in 2014, artephis have been committed to realizing forward-looking 'stretch music' which directs the progressive energy of post-bop Miles Davis and Wynton Marsalis onto the contemporary plane of Christian Scott, Antonio Sanchez' Migration Band and Brian Blade & The Fellowship, distilling an eclectic sound of their own. Imaginatively exploring the textural possibilities of electronics-charged trumpet, a harmonically immersive pairing of guitar and piano, and a rhythm section that doesn’t shy away from explosive grooves and light-footed nuance, artephis approach the spirited and sensitive as a mercurial improvising collective.

Described by internationally renowned jazz guitarist Mike Walker (The Impossible Gentlemen) as having ‘an organic, collectively individual sound that always has an eye on the narrative’, artephis have performed to capacity audiences at recent Brecon, Manchester, Liverpool, Scarborough, Marsden and Lancaster Jazz Festivals, as well as in the Bridgewater Hall and distinguished Manchester jazz venues Matt & Phreds and The Wonder Inn. In January 2016, they released their debut EP, and their composition ‘Chagrin’ is featured on the first ever CD of selected performers at the Marsden Jazz Festival. In support of their forthcoming concept album, which will be released in late-June and accompanied by a UK tour, they have been awarded the Sir John Manduell Prize for entrepreneurship.

“An outstanding band of young musicians” – Jazz North

“Rising stars” - Jazzwise

“Keep an eye out” – Manchester Jazz Festival