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

 

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