Speakeasy is where Manchester people express their soul. It’s a funky mix of the dopest poets, rappers and vocalists flippin their lyrics to the sounds of live soul jazz and hip hop, in other words, a collective spirit of Black music and words.

Speakeasy aims to create a meeting place where vocalists, poets and musicians of all levels of ability can feel free to express themselves, working from the slam/jam principle:

We provide the space, locus and environment and audience members are invited to contribute lyrically, in poetry or song with the optional accompaniment of live musicians.

Founded by host MC Segun and DJ Chris Jam Speakeasy started as a monthly open mike jam session in June 1999 at greenroom. The house band soon developed an intimate relationship with the regular performers, which led to the generation of new material every month, making speakeasy a home to an extended family of boundlessly creative individuals, who have finely honed their performing skills at the regular speakeasy events.

The Speakeasy ensemble still perform regularly at greenroom, and previous events have featured guest poets/vocalists with established international reputations like Jonzi D and Lemn Sissay.

We like to encourage new local talent by providing them with the opportunity to perform alongside more established artists.

Speakeasy late night events have expanded to a variety of Manchester venues, always drawing a culturally diverse audience from Moss Side, Rusholme, Hulme and other central Manchester areas. We have created a platform for participation and self-expression: by breaking down barriers to performance to create an ‘art form open to everyone’.

Due to their strong community links in Manchester, Speakeasy have played many events for outside organisations, including the National Arts Review Conference in July 2000, the Probation Service Annual Conference in September 2000 and the London Press Launch of the Commonwealth Games 2002 in May 2001, the Cultureshock collaboration with Nitin Sawhney in May 2002, and the Commonwealth Games Athletes Village in July 2002.

“A world rich in lyrical rhythms.” MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS

“Mothers of all invention when it comes to chatting choons that ooze urban élan down the mic.” METRO

For further information click: www.speakeasymcr.org