leicester - derby - coventry nottingham - northampton
we need you
we are seeking people to be involved in a new project
exploring 100 years of all aspects of jazz in the east midlands
A Century of Rhythm. A Region of Sound.
100 Years of Jazz in the East Midlands
From the underground clubs of the 1920s to the diverse, boundary-breaking community stages of today—our regional rhythm runs deep.
For a century, jazz has been the heartbeat of our streets, the soundtrack to our changing communities, and the ultimate spark for creative rebellion across the East Midlands. It is an art form that refuses to stand still, built by migration, cultural fusion, and pure local passion.
Cosmopolitan Arts is bringing this incredible legacy to life, but a century of music cannot be told by one voice alone. To build an immersive multimedia exhibition and a festival circuit that truly represents our regional heritage, we need the innovators, the storytellers, and the history-makers.
get involved
Whether you are preserving the heritage or pushing the genre forward, your voice belongs in this story.
Musicians & Singers // To bring the classic arrangements and modern fusions to life.
Dancers & Performers // To embody the movement, from the Lindy Hop to contemporary jazz fusion.
Photographers & Artists // To document the movement or showcase visual interpretations of jazz culture.
Journalists, Academics & Promoters // To unearth lost archives, write the narrative, and amplify the project.
Audiences & Culture Keepers // To share your memories, ticket stubs, family stories, and pure love of the art.
musicians
dancers
photographers
artists
promoters
singers
journalists
academics
audiences
performers
culture
+more
Share with us and tell your story
Do you have a story to tell, a vintage photograph in the attic, or an artistic talent to contribute? Help us celebrate 100 years of cultural cohesion through music.
Drop into our creative hub at
Parkside House,
72 Friday Street,
Leicester, LE1 3BW.
Or call our project team at 0116 4361246. You can email us directly at Info@cosmopolitanarts.co.uk to share your piece of East Midlands jazz history.
- The cradle of our multi-genre fusion and community-led jazz heritage.
- Unearthing industrial roots, club histories, and foundational jazz collectives.
- Exploring cross-cultural movements and the shared DNA of regional sound systems.
- Mapping legendary underground venues and pioneering modern jazz artists.
- Connecting regional touring circuits and the grass-roots promoters who kept the genre alive.
