Opening on International Jazz Day, the Cheltenham Jazz Festival returns at the end of April with an incredibly unique and diverse programme packed with jazz, world and blues legends, superstar international acts and outstanding emerging talent.
Running across six days from April 30th – May 5th, this year’s festival presents a star-studded line-up featuring the likes of Grammy and Golden Globe-winning Jamie Cullum, who will premiere his eagerly anticipated new album backed by an 11-piece big band, a special 70th birthday concert from jazz fusion trailblazer Billy Cobham, five-time Grammy-winner Robert Cray, the incomparable Laura Mvula, who returns to Cheltenham as this year’s Artist in Residence, as well as shows from big hitters such as Jools Holland, Curtis Stigers, Tinariwen, Kurt Elling, Gregory Porter and Frank Sinatra Jnr.
The younger generation will be represented by the likes of rising-star US trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire, the inspirational Zimbabwe-born vocalist ESKA, BBC Sound of 2014 nominee Nick Mulvey, and acclaimed New York-based instrumental fusion band Snarky Puppy, who are teaming up with DJ Gilles Peterson for the return of the festival’s popular club night. Among an impressive roster of British talent being showcased will be the much talked about reunion of acclaimed big band Loose Tubes, one of the UK’s most renowned improvisers Paul Dunmall, accomplished pianist Jason Rebello, and the boundary-pushing Julian Siegel Quartet.
The festival continues its association with BBC Radio 2, who will broadcast live on-site across the weekend. Slots include a gangster-themed Friday Night Is Music Night, celebrating the golden age of jazz and featuring the inimitable talents of Kurt Elling, Curtis Stigers and Liane Carroll, and a special Jamie Cullum radio show, which will go out live on Saturday afternoon.
In addition to a world class line-up of acts, the Beyond the Band tent will feature talks, workshops and masterclasses and will transform into a ‘silent cinema’, hosting a range of jazz inspired films.
Festival Director Ian George:
“We’re proud to once again be delivering a really diverse Festival programme that covers the entire jazz spectrum, incorporating blues, soul, funk, world music and more. We welcome musical megastars alongside the brightest emerging talents, all set against the beautiful backdrop of regency Cheltenham.”
The 2014 Cheltenham Jazz Festival takes place from April 30th – May 5th and is hosted in a tented festival village in Cheltenham’s Montpellier Gardens, featuring a Big Top stage, the Jazz Arena, and a food, drink and market area.
Tickets go on sale to members from February 24th and on general sale from March 3rd.
The full Cheltenham Jazz Festival line-up is below.
Cheltenham Jazz Festival 2014 – Full Programme
April 30th
Jamie Cullum
The Big Top
9pm
Jason Rebello
The Daffodil
9.15pm
May 1st
Kenny Wayne Shepherd
The Jazz Arena
7pm
Judith Owen
The Daffodil
9.15pm
Laura Mvula
The Big Top
8.30pm
May 2nd
ESKA with special guest Laura Mvula
The Jazz Arena
6.30pm
Julian Siegel Quartet
The Playhouse
8pm
Friday Night Is Music Night – Hoods, Horns & Hooch
The Big Top
8pm
Hailey Tuck
The Daffodil
9.15pm
May 3rd
Anthony Marsden
Hotel Du Vin
12pm
Paul Dunmall Sextet
The Playhouse
12.15pm
Nick Mulvey
The Jazz Arena
12.30pm
Loose Tubes
The Big Top
2pm
Denys Baptiste – Now is the Time…
Town Hall
3.45pm
Tigran
The Jazz Arena
4.15pm
Michael Wollny Trio
The Playhouse
6pm
Robert Cray
The Big Top
5.30pm
Kurt Elling Quartet
Town Hall
7pm
Tinariwen
The Jazz Arena
7.15pm
The Speakeasy
The Daffodil
10.30pm – 2am
The Edge Project
The Playhouse
10pm
Gilles Peterson and Snarky Puppy
Town Hall
10.30pm
May 4th
Trondheim Jazz Exchange
Parabola Arts Centre
11.45am
Sunday Lunch with Laithwaite’s Wine and Nearly Hot Club Four
The Daffodil
Bar open 11.30am
Lunch served 12.30pm
Ambrose Akinmusire Quintet
The Jazz Arena
1.15pm
Jake Isaac and Lake Street Dive
The Big Top
2.30pm
Iain Ballamy’s Anorak XL
Parabola Arts Centre
3pm
Liane Carroll Trio
The Jazz Arena
4.15pm
Billy Cobham at 70
The Big Top
5.45pm
Dan Nicholls’ Strobes + ByramArt
Parabola Arts Centre
6pm
Sinatra Sings Sinatra
The Jazz Arena
7.15pm
Gregory Porter and Blue Note Guests
The Big Top
9pm
Thomas StrØnen’s Time Is A Blind Guide
Parabola Arts Centre
9pm
May 5th
Family Show: Jazz All Stars ft . Natalie Williams
The Jazz Arena
11am
London Afrobeat Collective
The Big Top
1pm
Fringe Showcase: Jo Silver and the Café Bohemia & The Indigo Kings
The Jazz Arena
2.30pm
Curtis Stigers
The Big Top
4.15pm
Get The Blessing and Kairos 4Tet
The Jazz Arena
6.45pm
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra featuring Gregory Porter and guests
The Big Top
8.15pm