Cheltenham Jazz Festival

Cheltenham Jazz Festival is part of Cheltenham Festivals, a charity known for creating world-class cultural festivals and year-round accessible talent development, outreach and education programmes. Over 225,000 visitors a year are inspired by its Literature, Science, Jazz and Music Festivals.

2024 Lineup

Fresh from the success at Saltburn, Sophie Ellis-Bextor will grace the Big Top on Sunday, May 5th. Led Zeppelin icon Robert Plant returns with Saving Grace and Suzi Dian on Saturday, May 4th, while Ladysmith Black Mambazo, the South African sensation, will bring their electrifying energy to the Big Top on Monday, May 6th. Kicking off the festival on Wednesday, May 1st, is soul and R&B royalty Dionne Warwick.

A festival favorite, Gregory Porter, will take the Big Top stage twice during this year’s event. First, alongside Blues House of Fame inductee Bettye LaVette and Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra on Saturday, May 4th, and again for his headline show on Monday, May 6th. Huey Morgan, frontman of Fun Lovin’ Criminals and BBC 6 Music DJ, will perform at Cheltenham Town Hall on Sunday, May 5th, alongside jazz superstar Clare Teal and fusion artist Snarky Puppy.

The Parabola Arts Centre program is back for 2024, featuring highlights such as a special set from Mercury Music Prize nominee Kit Downes and celebrated singer Norma Winstone. Additionally, the festival will host events at Dunkertons Tap Room in 2024, including performances by Giacomo Smith on Friday, May 3rd, and Saturday, May 4th. Food critic Jay Rayner will also take the stage with his sextet on Sunday, May 5th.

These acts join the initial wave of headline performers announced in December 2023, including Jack Savoretti, UB40, Morcheeba, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Courtney Pine, and Nubiyan Twist.

Proudly showcasing a diverse array of talented female artists, the festival has committed to the Keychange program to ensure an equal gender balance in this year’s lineup. Music enthusiasts seeking free performances can look forward to the return of the ‘… around town’ program, featuring top local talent at venues across town, including The Frog and Fiddle, The Wilson Art Gallery and Museum, John Gordons whisky and wine bar, and The Bottle of Sauce pub.

Festival director Ian George expressed, “We’ve worked incredibly hard for this year’s program to reflect the full breadth of the jazz spectrum. We have jazz legends and crossover stars nestled between an incredible array of up-and-coming talent, and it could well be our broadest lineup to date.”