Cheltenham Jazz Festival

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The annual Cheltenham Jazz Festival will take place 26 April - 1 May 2023. Members’ Priority Booking from 22 February 2023 

Cheltenham Festivals have announced some of the incredible names that will take to the various Jazz Festival stages, giving you a first look at what to expect.The programme announcement will be made in January, keep your eyes peeled here folks!

What we know so far - Gregory Porter will return as Artistic curator and acclaimed American vocalist Lizz Wright will also take to the stage.  Fergus McCreadie, shortlisted for the 2022 Mercury Prize and winner of 2022 Scottish Album of The Year and 2022 JazzFM Instrumentalist of the Year will make his Festival debut.

Norwegian guitarist Stian Westerhus will be performing twice, once solo and also with the CollapseUncollapse duo, Mark Sanders (drums) and Chris Mapp (electric bass). And Black Top (Orphy Robinson, vibes and electronics + Pat Thomas, piano) with saxophonist Xhosa Cole will also be performing.

And finally, all-woman trio, Skylla, which is led by Ruth Goller and with Lauren Kinsella and Alice Grant, will put on an epic show.

Mike Flynn, Editor of Jazzwise said: “Jazzwise is immensely proud of our longstanding media partnership with Cheltenham Jazz Festival that’s stood the test of time for over 15 years. The Festival matches our own outlook on jazz: to celebrate the greats while embracing brave new sounds and always pushing the music forward. It’s wonderful to see the first names announced for the 2023 festival representing that mix once again – with stellar US vocalists Gregory Porter and Lizz Wright appearing alongside cutting-edge talents from the UK such as Ruth Goller’s SKYLLA and Xhosa Cole, and the fearlessly creative Norwegian guitarist Stian Westerhus, all set to appear. It’s already shaping up to be another inspiring and invigorating programme – I can’t wait to be there!”

Look forward to six days of free gigs in 2023

Every year Cheltenham Jazz Festival features an around town programme in association with Cheltenham BID. Featuring the finest local and national talent on the Free Stage in Montpellier Gardens and in Cheltenham’s streets, pubs and clubs.

Cheltenham Jazz Festival 2022 featured rising stars from the Tomorrow’s Warriors roster, Festival favourites Thrill Collins, all the way to Gloucestershire’s best school jazz bands on the Jazz It Up stage, the line-up offered musical inspiration all day and late into the night. Keep your eyes peeled for the 2023 free programme announcement here. 

What is the Cheltenham Jazz Festival?

With over 20,000 music-fans getting in the festival swing every year, and Jamie Cullum and Moira Stuart amongst its biggest fans, Cheltenham has become one of the country’s best-loved jazz festivals. With a trade-mark mix of international jazz icons, up-and-coming new artists and unique festival performances has seen Cheltenham host some of the world’s greatest musicians. Previous guests include Hugh Laurie, Eartha Kitt, Imelda May, Van Morrison, Stephane Grappelli, Ornette Coleman, Jamie Cullum, Saving Grace ft Robert Plant, James Bay, Paloma Faith, Emeli Sandé, Tom Odell, Nubya Garcia, Corinne Bailey Rae, Gabrielle and Nitin Sawhney.

For more information visit - www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/jazz

 

Reviews of the Cheltenham Jazz Festival...

'If someone doesn’t get jazz, how do you woo them towards enjoying it? The Cheltenham Jazz Festival, with 47 official concerts plus a lively fringe, is a good answer, offering the chance to dip into many different styles of jazz' - The Times.

'The great thing about Cheltenham Jazz Festival is that it brings together so many genres under the umbrella of jazz…I think it is one of the best Jazz Festivals in the world so it’s amazing for me to be here' - Jamie Cullum

 

For more festivals & major events taking place in Cheltenham this year, including the Music, Science & Literature Festivals, visit: 

Cheltenham Festivals & Major Events Guide & Live performances in Cheltenham

To plan your stay in Cheltenham visit: 

Cheltenham Hotels Guide, Cheltenham Eating Out & Cheltenham Staycations.