Stevie Wonder at the Calling Festival Review

Second day at Calling Festival. Festival goers traded yesterday's wellies, trek shoes and umbrellas for sunglasses, sun cream and hats in Clapham Common. Most of us are still getting over Aerosmith rocking performance but we are very impatient to listen sunday's amazing line up. 
 
Today's crowd is quite different from yesterday's: younger, we swapped the rock chick outfits for a more chilled and flower power look. By the time Calling Festival starts with performances from Jetta and JJ Rosa, we quickly realized that we should have brought the umbrella instead of the sun cream.
 
On the Pepsi Max StageWill Heard starts the show with a cover of Destiny's Child "Say my name" and engage with the crowd immediately asking to sing along. He shared his excitement to see Stevie Wonder as well as funny anecdotes. Will Heard is funny and seductive during and between songs. Despite fans begging for "the sun don't shine" he kept it for last! 
 
Running to Main Stage to see James Bay, a talented 23-year old singer-songwriter. He brings a new voice to music with a voice mixing warm tones, fragile high notes and folk twist. He was performing "If you ever want to be in love". Wearing a big hat hiding his face, holding his guitar, James Bay seduced the crowd with his humble and shy comments between songs as well as his great vocal range and delicate lyrics. He sang "let it go" giving an honest and emotional performance. 
 
Around the Main Stage, Stand Up to Cancer stand is pretty busy with a group of girls taking photos next to the Hoff's poster.Michael Kinawuka is arriving on stage back from Glastonbury with muddy trousers. His earthy voice warmed us from the start despite the rain. Outside his repertoire, he sang  his favorite song: Jimmy Hendrix "Waterfall". One of the last songs was "Home again", which really pleased the crowd. While waiting for Paloma Faith's to enter the stage, I meet James Bay near the Magnum Ice cream van. Surrounded by fans, he is shy and friendly, very grateful of all the postive comments from his performance earlier.
 
While looking around, a lot of families come to Calling Festival. However, there is no real space or activities for children. Except for the space in the dedicated Guest Area, it would be great to have activities for kids next year.
 
By 4pm, It's raining heavily in Clapham Common. No one is really discouraged but we are all impatient to see Paloma Faith. Blanckets on the floor become shelters and umbrellas pop up like mushrooms. Paola Faith's crew, wearing tartan outfits, arrives first. Then she makes her big entrance wearing a huge white feather hat, even bird nest like, tight rubber skirt and a lace crop top. She performed her biggest hits and got the crowd laughing, clapping and singing. 
 
Another act to watch: Norma Jean Martine. I remember her performance at Montreux Jazz Festival and am really looking forward seeing her at the Calling Festival. Her voice is like no other: powerful and broken, jazzy and blues. She is 21 from America but moved to London last year. Listening to her work, you can see her Nashville blues influence. She opens with "No more Alone" which makes her very emotional at the end. Her vulnerability and honesty about being homesick seduces the crowd who shares support and cheers. She then starts singing "Still in love with you" and puts the crowd at her feet until the end of the performance.
 
Jack Johnson arrives on stage and brings his Hawai cool vibe to Clapham Common. There's no rain and the crowd is mainly sitting in blanckets enjoying the show and clapping. Over to Pepsi Max, Flyte, new Indie Funk band from London,  is performing their last song "faithless". The lead singer, Will Taylor, is a charming performer, engaging with the crowd. 
 
The sun is back and Clapham Common seem completely packed. The queues to the loos are endless and water points and food stands are very busy. People are coming in mass for the 2 last acts: Gregory Porter and today's headliner Stevie Wonder. 
 
Gregory Porter is the last act at the Pepsi Max stage. Porter won the 2014 Grammy for best jazz vocal album with Liquid Spirit. The fans arrived early not to miss a thing. Gregory Porter is a powerful baritone – velvety voice mixing blues and jazz rich rich tones and delicate control in nuances. He performs mainly songs from his latest album such as "on my way to Harlem", "Be Good", or "Liquid Spirit". His charisma and stage presence wowed the audience immediately. There is a wisdom and kindness coming from him and the audience is very receptive. He is also surrounded by amazing musicians Chip Crawford on piano, Aaron James on bass, Emanuel Harrold on drums, and Yosuke Sato on alto sax. He engages with the audience naturally. 
 
by 7.30pm, Clapham Common is nearly full and it is getting hard to find a space to watch the show. After a long introduction setting the mood and presenting each member of the crew, Stevie Wonder comes in playing the keytar, wearing red glasses and matching trainers, an ethnic shirt and white trousers. The opening song is "How sweet it is (to be loved by you)". Asking the audience to be part of his choir and playing the piano, he starts the intro of "Jammin Master Blaster" which triggered a general scream of excitement.  The crowd is singing and dancing until the tables in the back near the Tuborg beer stand.
 
Photo courtesy of Calling Festival
 
Stevie Wonder is now playing the harpejji and asks the audience to clap following the drums. He is definitely keeping us involved and busy! Now it is time for "Don't worry bout a thing" with a Brasilian samba edge. The bongos are running the show and everybody is dancing. Stevie Wonder shows once again the strength of his vocals as well as his witty sense of humour between songs asking now the crowd to sing "like we mean it". We all start singing and clapping for " Just enough for the city" and finished A capella with "Ebony and Ivory". He then asks "what can we do for the fun of it ?". It's the beginning of "Part time lover" and Stevie Wonder leaves us amazed by his impressive vocal range from deep tones to high notes and gets us all on our feet. Follows a unanimous crowd pleaser "Signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours". Trumpets and Saxophone lead the intro of "Sir Duke" and the crowd is still dancing and singing. In order to slow things a bit, Stevie Wonder gives a very delicate performance of "you are the sunshine of my life" with a caribbean sound twist. He has a witty sense of humour and plays along with a delighted audience. After "My Cherie Amour" and "I just called to say I love you", he pays a tribute to the late Bobby Womack letting his longtime backing vocalist Keith John sing "if you think you're lonely now". It's time for a cover of the Shirelles' song "Will you still love me tomorrow" with a zouk arrangements. For the last song, Stevie Wonder is joined on stage by Richie Sambora, just back from Glastonbury who takes his guitar and performs with the band "Superstition". Thank you Stevie Wonder for your energy, amazing performance and generosity. It was a great end of a 2-day festival full of talented acts. See you next year, Calling Festival!

Wilderness Festival 2014 lineup announced!

We are pretty excited to let you know that the lineup for this years Wilderness Festival has been announced.  This idyllic, eclectic and gloriously paradisiacal music and arts festival returns for its forth installment to the lovely surroundings of Cornbuy Park in Oxfordshire from 7th – 10th August 2014. 

Live Music & Dancing

Metronomy, Burt Bacharach, London Grammar, Jessie Ware with the Wilderness Orchestra, Sam Smith, Connan Mockasin, Gregory Porter, Submotion Orchestra, Mount Kimbie, Soak, Friends of the Earth Busking Stage

“BitterSuite” – A Sensory Concert

Travelling Folk Barn with Two for Joy , The Local and The English Folk Dance & Song Society

Feasts & Gastronomy

Long Table Banquets with Simon Rogan, Angela Hartnett, Russell Norman

The return of Sam & Sam Clark’s Moro Souk Tent, St. John Dining Room & Bakery, Wilderness Cookery School

Late Night Revelry from

Greg Wilson, Futureboogie, Horse Meat Disco, Zero 7 (DJ), The Quarry hosted by Rumpus, Artful Badger, Shangri La Superstar & Continental Drifts, The Astronomers Ball, Aircraft Circus’s Midnight Circus.

Spectacular Processions and Fire Shows inspired by the infamous Wychwood Forest Fayres created by Macnas And Now:

Tented Theatre, Art & Promenade Performances

Victoria and Albert Museum, Shakespeare’s Globe, Slung Low, Oxford Shakespeare Company presents “As You Like It”,

Bohemian Artists Studio, Son and Sons Productions, Petersham Playhouse

Talks, Debates and Literary Arts curated by Secret Forum, with support from The Huffington Post UK

Intelligence Squared, School of Life, the British Humanist Association, How To Academy, Project Wild Thing, Letters of Note, Royal Observatory Greenwich, the Odditorium, George Monbiot, HuffPost UK’s Mehdi Hasan, Tongue Fu, Guerilla Science, Book Slam, Guerilla Archaeology, Spark London, Chill Pill, Ugly Animal Preservation Society, Liars League,

Letters of Note, Sunday Papers Live

Outdoor Pursuits & Wellbeing

Lakeside Spa, The Sanctuary, Sunset Yoga Classes, Pilates, Massages and Facials, Hunter Gather Cook, Fly Fishing, Horse Riding, Long Bow Archery, Wild Swimming, Woodland Foraging Walks, Boating, Greencrafts, Forest Runs, Philosophy Walks, Tai Chi, Morning Meditation, Capoeira

Family Magic & Games

Storystock, Charles Dickens Museum, Roald Dahl Museum, Angel Gardens, Discover Children’s Story Centre, Hullabaloo Arts, Mortimer Nannies, Croquet, Bearded Kitten’s Cricket Match, Chap Olympics, Village Hall

 

Laura Mvula, Soul II Soul and more for Love Supreme Jazz Festival

The acclaimed 3-day event is back for a second year delivering a world-class programme that boasts the likes of multi-million-selling Grammy and Golden Globe winner Jamie Cullum, much feted soul star and double Brit Award nominee Laura Mvula, a special 25th anniversary show from legendary R&B outfit Soul II Soul featuring original vocalist Caron Wheeler, one of the most celebrated UK jazz musicians of all time Courtney Pine, and arguably the most soulful performer to have emerged in recent years, Grammy-winning Gregory Porter.

Set against the stunning backdrop of Glynde Place in East Sussex, Jazz FM’s Love Supreme is the UK’s only major green field jazz festival and presents a broad spectrum of music rooted in and influenced by jazz and soul. Taking place over the weekend of the 4th, 5th and 6th July 2014, the festival's line-up will also include multi-platinum-selling singer/songwriter Curtis Stigers, superstar bassist Christian McBride, inimitable US vocalist Jose James, the Grammy-winning instrumental fusion band Snarky Puppy, one of the most evocative bass players of the modern era Dave Holland, captivating Brighton-based soul singer Alice Russell (“Strikingly soulful… jaw dropping” Mojo), experimental post-jazz from Seb Rochford’s Polar Bear, who will perform music from their hotly-tipped new album, and the visionary Blue Note bassist Derrick Hodge.

Jamie Cullum: “I’m extremely proud to be part of this year’s Love Supreme Jazz Festival. I’ll be playing alongside some incredible artists and it's going to be a really special occasion”.

Jazz FM’s Executive Chairman Richard Wheatley: "Having so much live jazz and soul in a single place for an entire weekend is a great step forward in bringing this wonderful music to a wider UK audience.  We're thrilled to be back again this year with another exciting and diverse bill within the fantastic outdoor festival experience."

The festival will also feature an eclectic mix of homegrown bands and artists including accomplished young drummer Ollie Howell, captivating trumpet starlet Laura Jurd, emotive sounds from Hidden Orchestra and soulful rock n roll five-piece The Computers.

With over 50 acts performing across the weekend, as well as DJs, artist Q&As, a fairground, classic album playbacks and glamping, the Love Supreme Jazz Festival is the most exciting addition to the British jazz calendar for decades and provides music lovers of all ages with a magical summer festival experience like no other.

Additional artists will be announced in due course. The line-up as it stands is:

Jamie Cullum
Laura Mvula 
Gregory Porter 
Soul II Soul (feat. original vocalist Caron Wheeler)
Dave Holland's Prism 
Christian McBride Trio 
Courtney Pine (with guest vocalists) 
Curtis Stigers 
Snarky Puppy 
Alice Russell 
Jose James 
Polar Bear 
Derrick Hodge 
Cecilia Stalin 
Laura Jurd 
Chloe Charles 
Hidden Orchestra 
Ollie Howell Quintet 
The Computers 
Funky Sensation

 

Jamie Cullum, Frank Sinatra Jnr and more for Cheltenham Jazz Festival

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

 

Charles Bradley and His Extraordinaires set for Love Supreme Jazz Festival

The Love Supreme Jazz Festival is delighted to announce that 64 year-old Charles Bradley and His Extraordinaires will bring their critically acclaimed performance to the main stage of the inaugural festival on Saturday 6 July 2013. An additional eight acts, including Terence Blanchard will also join the phenomenal weekend bill at this stunning location. Taking place on 5, 6 and 7 July, at Glynde Place, near Brighton, the Love Supreme Jazz Festival is proud to highlight local talent across the weekend, curated by The Verdict Jazz Club, Brighton.

The extraordinary story of Charles Bradley’s meteoric rise to fame, from living on the streets to releasing his debut album ‘No Time For Dreaming’ aged 62 in 2011 has inspired the world. Discovered by Daptone’s Gabe Roth after performing as a James Brown impersonator in Brooklyn clubs, Charles Bradley has never looked back. Following rave reviews and awards for the documentary ‘Soul of America’ and from the SXSW festival in Austin Texas, Charles Bradley and His Extraordinaires will light up the main stage with powerful and psychedelic soul including material from the recently released second album ‘Victim Of Love’.

Also added to the bill to perform in the Jazz Big Top on Sunday 7 July is multi Grammy award winner Terence Blanchard. With over 40 film scores to his credit, the renowned trumpeter is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of contemporary Jazz. Blanchard has worked with the likes of Abbey Lincoln, Herbie Hancock, Art Blakey, Stevie Wonder, and many others. The New Orleans trumpeter and composer is famed for works that have included the score for every Spike Lee film since 1991 including Malcolm XClockers,Summer of SamJungle Fever and also performed on Mo’ Better Blues with fellow Love Supreme Jazz festival performer Branford Marsalis.

Other acts performing at the festival include one of the most charismatic singer songwriters in the blues scene,Eric Bibb, electro swing duo Kitten & The Hip and British Asian jazz clarinetist Arun GhoshTroyka will also be performing at the festival and will be bringing their visceral mash-up of rock, jazz and dance to the stage, along with Ryan Quigley Big Band’s spectacular interpretations of The Beatles’ classics, pianist and singer Oli Rockberger, plus the truly unique sound of Brass Jaw.

As well as bringing the best acts from the UK and around the globe to East Sussex, the Love Supreme Jazz Festival will also feature established and up and coming Brighton and locally based jazz acts throughout the festival weekend. Utilising local expertise, festival organisers are proud to be working in conjunction with The Verdict Jazz Club who will be curating the integration of local musicians for the festival.

Love Supreme Jazz Festival takes place in the enchanting grounds of Glynde Place, a magnificent Elizabethan manor house located on the Sussex Downs, approximately 11 miles from Brighton and an hour and half from London. There will be direct trains to Glynde Station especially for the festival, just a 5-min walk away to the site.

Love Supreme Jazz Festival is offering festival-goers a wide range of camping options and have partnered up with Podpads, Blue Bell Tents and Tangerine Fields for the ultimate hassle-free camping experience.

Boasting over 40 acts, all accessible for the one weekend price, the Love Supreme Jazz Festival features a main stage, a unique floored and seated Jazz big top and a special stage for the hottest new talent. The dance tent will feature a unique programme of live music and DJ’s arranged by White Mink V Peppermint Candy on Saturday 6 July and the long-awaited return of Funky Sensation on Friday 5 July.

Bryan Ferry announced as headliner for Love Supreme Jazz Festival

Bryan Ferry has been announced as the Saturday headliner of the first ever Love Supreme Jazz Festival and will take to the stage on 6 July 2013. Set against the stunning backdrop of Glynde Place in East Sussex, Bryan Ferry And The Bryan Ferry Orchestra’s performance will be the UK live premier of the material from his critically acclaimed The Jazz Age album. Split into two parts, this very special show will also include a set of hits from Ferry’s remarkable career both as a solo artist and as part of Roxy Music. Tickets are on sale NOW.

Making a very special Love Supreme Jazz Festival appearance will be multi-million selling American disco stars Chic ft. Nile Rodgers. Famed for tracks such as ‘Le Freak’, ‘I Want Your Love’ and ‘Good Times’, the legend lived on with Nile Rodgers’ songwriting and production for some of the most illustrious artists in the world. This unique set will see the band perform some of the songs from the greatest collaborations of Nile’s career including work with David Bowie, Madonna and Diana Ross.

Nile Rodgers

Soul-folk singer and BBC’s Sound of 2012 winner Michael Kiwanuka also joins the bill. Since bursting onto the British music scene in 2011, the North Londoner’s debut album Home Again reached No.4 in the UK charts and earned him a Mercury Prize Nomination in 2012.

Groundbreaking British jazz star Courtney Pine will also be joining the stellar line up and will be performing inthe unique green-field festival floored and seated Jazz big top. The country’s best-known saxophonist will be playing alongside a diverse array of artists including Branford Marsalis Quartet. Courtney Pine will perform tracks from House of Legends, the Jazzwise Album of the Year 2012.

Gregory Porter, winner of ‘Live UK Shows Of The Year’ at the Jazz FM Awards 2013, has also announced his performance at the festival. The Grammy nominated Brooklyn based vocalist continues to stun UK audiences with his intense shows.

Also added to the bill are Mercury Prize nominated Portico Quartet, experimental MOBO nominated groupRoller Trio, Manchester trio GoGo Penguin and live phenomenon, American acapella group Naturally 7.

Bryan Ferry said: “I am looking forward to incorporating material from my latest album 'The Jazz Age' in the set at the Love Supreme Festival. This will be the first time the Bryan Ferry Orchestra will have played live in the UK and we will be adding vocals to several of the jazz arrangements as well as being joined by members of my regular band”.

Courtney Pine said: “Playing concerts in front of a live outdoor audience is a huge thrill for the improvising musician. The first ever series of concerts features a fantastic cast of very talented world class jazz musicians which I am proud and very humbled to be joining, this Love Supreme Jazz Festival is huge and will be banging!”

What is sure to be a highlight in the 2013 festival calendar, these sensational artists will be joined by already announced Sunday headliner Jools Holland & his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra who has announced that Roland Gift, the Fine Young Cannibals front-man, will be his special guest vocalist alongside Ruby Turner and Louise Marshall.

With more acts still to be announced, the spectacular line-up so far includes: Bryan Ferry and The Bryan Ferry Orchestra, Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, Chic ft. Nile Rodgers, Michael Kiwanuka, Gregory Porter, Courtney Pine, Marcus Miller, Branford Marsalis Quartet, Portico Quartet, Snarky Puppy, Andreya Triana, Soweto Kinch, Roller Trio, Gogo Penguin, Zara McFarlane, and Naturally 7. They are also joined by recent 2013 Grammy Award Winner for Best R&B Album, The Robert Glasper Experiment. Glasper also became one of the winners at the Jazz FM Awards for ‘Cutting Edge Award for Jazz Innovation’ along with Neil Cowley Trio for ‘UK Jazz Artist of the Year’ who will also perform at the festival. The festival’s nightlife will be enhanced with the two biggest names in vintage club nights, White Mink and Peppermint Candy. Theyare joining forces to host a stage dedicated to vintage-influenced swing sounds, incorporating everything from flash-mob dancers and cabaret to full-on vintage big bands. 

The enchanting grounds of Glynde Place are located approximately 11 miles from Brighton and an hour and half from London. There will be direct trains to Glynde Station especially for the festival, just a 5-min walk away to the site.

The Love Supreme Jazz Festival are offering a wide range of camping options and have partnered up with Podpads, Blue Bell Tents and Tangerine Fields for the ultimate hassle-free camping experience. Festivalgoers can choose from an array of different camping styles including pre-erected tents, Romany caravans and teepees.

With over 40 acts, the Love Supreme Jazz Festival will have a main stage, a unique floored and seated Jazz big top, a ‘Discovery’ stage and a Club stage. Providing a diverse repertoire to engage the most serious jazz fan and general music lovers alike, the festival differs from other UK city based Jazz Festivals as just one ticket to the Festival will give fans access to all of the music provided on all four stages.

 

Gregory Porter, Madeleine Peyroux plus many more set for Cheltenham Jazz Festival

Highlights of the 2013 programme include Van Morrison, who will return to Cheltenham to play classic songs from his award-winning back catalogue alongside material from his Blue Note debutBorn to Sing: No Plan BMadeleine Peyroux will introduce her new album The Blue Room, which sees the genre-blending songstress rework landmark musical gems from legendary artists Ray Charles, Buddy Holly and Leonard Cohen; exclusively for the festival, Noisettes – described as “the best live band in Britain” by The Guardian last year – will perform a stripped back session of sleek soulful pop-songs inspired by jazz and blues greats; universally acclaimed singer Gregory Porter is the festival’s Artist in Residence and will be performing tracks from both his Grammy-nominated debut Water and latest album Be Good; and shows from stars of tomorrow Laura Mvula and Lianne La Havas will demonstrate why the future of British music is brighter than ever

BBC Radio 2’s Friday Night is Music Night will once again broadcast live from the festival and this year will honour the legendary Georgie Fame at 70. Fame will perform with The Guy Barker Big Band and the BBC Concert Orchestra and will be joined by special guests Alan Price, Zoot Money and Madeline Bell for a truly unique birthday celebration.

Saxophonist Ravi Coltrane and his superb quintet will present music from Grammy-nominated album Spirit Fiction; seven-time Grammy Award-winning vibraphonist Gary Burton will present his latest group comprised of guitar protégée Julian Lage, bassist Jorge Roeder and drummer Antonio Sanchez; trumpeter Dave Douglas will be bringing his quintet and guest vocalist Heather Masseto perform material from his album Be Still ; whilst Mike Stern, Dave Weckl and Tom Kennedywill all be on stage together as part of the Mike Stern and Bill Evans Band

Mercury Music award nominees Roller Trio will feature in a double bill with Polar Bear, and Seb Rochford of Polar Bear will also be appearing with Sons of Kemet, a post-jazz ensemble that features saxist/clarinettist Shabaka Hutchings, tuba virtuoso Oren Marshall and the stunning double-drum team of Tom Skinner and Rochford. The Edition Records Quartet, an exciting new Anglo-Norwegian collaboration that features Dave Stapleton, Neil Yates, Marius Neset and Daniel Herskedal will showcase music from their hotly-tipped debut album, whilst revered composer and band leader Mike Gibbs and his stellar 12-piece ensemble led by keyboardist Hans Koller are also set to entertain the Cheltenham crowds.

Following the huge success of 2012, the Festival will once again take place in Montpellier Gardens in the heart of Cheltenham. The tented festival village will feature a 1300 seat Big Top, which will play host to some of the Festival's biggest names, and the 630 seat Jazz Arena will welcome both established acts and emerging artists. In addition, concerts will also take place in the beautiful Parabola Arts Centre, just minutes from the main festival site. The site in Montpellier Gardens will also be the place to soak up an outstanding festival atmosphere, with free outdoor music, a selection of food and drink stalls, fun family activities and a host of talks and workshops which explore the music industry, it's the perfect place to spend the Bank Holiday weekend. 

Cheltenham Jazz Festival 2013 runs from 1-6 May and will take place at Montpellier Gardens, Cheltenham.