“A smouldering blend of jazz, soul and gospel…” Manchester Evening News

Canter Semper weave harmony driven melodies and earnest whole-hearted lyricism into jazz-tinged soundscapes. They work with acapella, stripped back acoustic and an orchestral-esque full band set up. This includes percussion and a string quartet, and features Manchester all female choir Choirs Manchester and their most recent addition Celtic harp.

Their sound drifts in the same blissful stratospheres as contemporaries like The Staves or Smoke Fairies underpinned with a comforting nod to classic soul records.

They are very much at home playing live, with memorable appearances at the city’s finest haunts including The Deaf Institute, Band On The Wall and Manchester Academy. Their live prowess caught the attention of the highly-acclaimed Duke Special, who offered them a special invitation to perform with him at the RNCM.

Natural collaborators they regularly work with a revolving collective of artistic, prominently female, talent from the thriving local scene to create individual and enveloping shows. Their aim is to transport audiences into their creative, collaborative space with warmth and connection.

Emily Mercer is a Manchester based singer-songwriter. With warm vocals, rich piano arrangements and punchy hooks, her genre-bending songs fuse jazz, pop, r&b and soul influences. Her striking harmony and sharp lyricism have drawn comparisons to artists such as Fiona Apple, Charlotte Day Wilson, Joan As Police Woman and Weyes Blood, as well as to jazz singers of the past.