Cheltenham Jazz Festival

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Cheltenham Jazz Festival 2021 will take place as a FREE online event Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 May, ​​ followed by a series of live in-person concerts at the Cheltenham Town Hall in July, (government restrictions permitting).  

**Gregory Porter, Steve Winwood, Soweto Kinch, Cleveland Watkiss and Marisha Wallace amongst artists confirmed to perform**

Cheltenham Jazz Festival is set to return in 2021 with a free-to-view, two-day digital event taking place across the May Bank Holiday weekend followed by a series of ticketed in-person concerts at Cheltenham Town Hall over three nights in July (government guidance permitting). The festival will present an array of world-class shows from a varied selection of established stars, heritage legends and emerging talent from across the jazz, pop and soul spectrum. The weekend will be hosted by BBC6 Music presenter Cerys Matthews and the Festival’s Artistic Curator Gregory Porter.

Cheltenham Jazz Festival will be streamed on Cheltenham Festivals YouTube channel from 1 – 2 May, 2021.

Cheltenham Jazz Festival 2021 lineup

The first artists to be announced for this year’s digital festival include headline shows from one of the singular soul voices of the ‘60s and ‘70s, the British rhythm and blues star Steve Winwood, and one of the major voices of 21st century jazz, the multi-million-selling US vocalist Gregory Porter. Winwood will be premiering brand new material recorded during lockdown whilst Porter will be performing a set especially created for Cheltenham. Winwood and Porter’s streamed concerts will top the bill on Saturday May 1st and Sunday May 2nd respectively.

Additional acts lined up for the May Bank Holiday programme include, pioneering saxophonist and rapper Soweto Kinch, recording-breaking beatboxer, producer and live-looper SK Shlomo , distinguished British vocalist Cleveland Watkiss, shows from rising star saxophonists Rachael Cohen, Faye MacCalman and Lara Jones, revered sibling duo Zoe & Idris Rahman, and a premiere from guitarist Chris Montague, who will unveil his new trio Warmer Than Blood featuring Kit Downes on piano and Ruth Goller on bass. Also performing will be ensembles from the innovative jazz development organisations Tomorrow’s Warriors and Birmingham Town Hall’s Rise Up.

A vibrant selection of international acts will also appear across the weekend including Broadway and West End star Marisha Wallace, Cuban trumpeter Yelfris Valdes, French singer Leïla Martial with her Baa Box group, and a first UK show from Portuguese punk-jazz outfit The Right of Trio.

Read the full story 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 over the spring Bank Holiday weekend. Previous guests include Jamie Cullum, Hugh Laurie, Eartha Kitt, Imelda May, Van Morrison, Stephane Grappelli and Ornette Coleman.

The festival site is usually (pre covid times) in Montpellier Gardens, in the heart of Cheltenham. It is the perfect place to soak up an outstanding festival atmosphere. Featuring a feast of free outdoor music, a selection of food and drink stalls, and fun family activities – it’s the only place to be over the spring Bank Holiday weekend.