Fergus Leach

Kendal-born jazz-lover Fergus Leach has been interested in the arts, especially performance, since a young age. He is ‘particularly drawn to cross-disciplinary arts, and the discovery of new fusions of genres and styles’ and credits his passion for jazz to the Canadian band BADBADNOTGOOD whose covers of hip-hop tracks and video game music opened Leach up to the potential of jazz to meld with other contemporary genres and styles.

Beyond BADBADNOTGOOD Leach takes inspiration from the various emerging jazz scenes across the UK, particularly those in Bristol, Leeds and Manchester, with an ‘interest in how these music hubs grow and go on to develop a distinct sound that represents the city or area they’re from.’

‘What impresses me the most about the Southbank Centre is that you could go there 50 times in a year, and each time would be wildly different. The diversity in programming is hugely inspiring and it does a great job of representing different aspects of British culture, whilst remaining accessible’

Creative and expressive, Leach has always sought a career in the arts. Though he initially wanted to be a performer, he has discovered programming to be ‘a great fit’, putting on a number of regional jazz and classical music events around the UK. He sees great programming and curation as being ‘all about sharing’ and loves how ‘programming can put a spotlight on new artists and help them develop a following’.

Leach sees Southbank Centre Presents as an opportunity to learn as much as possible, both from his fellow cohort members and industry professionals. He’s looking forward to ‘building relationships with up and coming programmers and curators’, and ‘having the opportunity and freedom to create something new that reflects British arts and culture’.