Leila D'Aronville, Managing Director

Leila has worked in the cultural sector in the North East for over 15 years’; with a varied career working as part of the media and marketing team who launched Sage Gateshead; 4 years in the management team of the National Singing Campaign, Sing Up; 3 years as a senior manager in the Bridge North East programme, connecting children and young people with great arts and culture; and more recently producing Asunder – the award-winning North East’s only 14-18 NOW commission; remembering the role of Sunderland and the North East during the First World War – shown above.

With a background in drama, Leila has also co-led Mongrel UK, a theatre company made up of young people newly arrived to the North East.

Leila has a passion and drive to create exciting opportunities for the people of the North East to take part in cultural activity by developing interesting and innovative partnerships.

Since joining Northern Roots Leila had taken on a lead role with the Freedom City 2017 programme.

Graham Anderson, Creative Director, Jumpin' Hot Club

Co-founder and co-director Graham Anderson is responsible for programming and has been putting on live music most weeks, for over thirty-two years. Since leaving music college 1985. Graham has programmed, promoted and nurtured Jumpin’ Hot Club and Northern Roots.

He is responsible for the day-to-day running of the business and makes a point to attend all Jumpin’ Hot Club events; so he is a fairly busy guy! Graham programmes all Jumpin’ Hot Club gigs, cantinas and cruises, and to that end is always seeking out the music first-hand.

Over the years Graham has been involved with: Carnival Roots music Festival (1991), Tyneside Blues & Roots Festival (1992-1998), Wow Festival (1996-2002) Evolution Festival (2000–2010), Summertyne Americana Festival (2006–present), Jumpin Hot Jamboree Festival (2013-15) and Country Cantina (2016-Present).

Adam Collerton, Community Partnerships

Co-founder and co-director, Adam Collerton is responsible for fundraising, marketing and diverse music promotion and initiatives.

Adam founded Harambe Africa in 1987 and has developed Boss Sounds Reggae Festival and is committed to promoting diverse music promotion to a culturally diverse audience.

Adam has worked with Graham since the club was founded in 1985 and together they have worked devised and delivered a range of roots music events and performances including, Carnaval Roots music Festival (1991), Tyneside Blues & Roots Festival (1992-1998), Evolution Festival (2000–2010), Boss Sounds Reggae Festival(2005–2011) Summertyne Americana Festival (2006–present), Jumpin Hot Jamboree Festival (2013-15), Country Cantina (2016-present).

In 2016/17 Adam took a lead role for sister company Northern Roots on Freedom City 2017 a city-wide celebration of Dr Martin Luther King’s visit to Newcastle in 1967.