Cheltenham Jazz Festival
Cheltenham
Events Experience
Date: 1 – 6 May 2024
The Cheltenham Jazz Festival is an undeniably popular annual Spring event. It is one of the country’s best-loved jazz festivals and prides itself on its celebration of all genres of jazz. The exciting programme features more than 50 concerts and performances over six days in Cheltenham’s Montpellier Gardens. The festival presents a balance of classic and contemporary jazz, blues, soul and pop. Mixed in with an array of world premieres, exclusive collaborations, one-off shows, and free performances. Previous artists include legends such as Van Morrison and Laura Mvula, Paloma Faith, Imelda May and Jamie Cullum. The Cheltenham Jazz Festival continues to attract the biggest names in the industry. It also advocates the stars of tomorrow, enabling them time in the spotlight. Former performers on the Free Stage include Georgia Cécile and the Ezra Collective.
The 2023 line-up included Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra, who came together with Spandau Ballet’s Tony Hadley. Actor Damian Lewis collaborated with Kansas Smitty to perform tracks from his debut album. Rufus Wainwright, MIKA and Will Young. Long-time participant and sell-out performer Gregory Porter was the 2023 festival’s Artistic Curator. He subsequently thrilled the audience with his headline show. Already announced for 2024 are Jack Savoretti, Orchestra Baobab and Nubyian Twist, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Snarky Puppy, Morcheeba, Courtney Pine and UB40.
Cheltenham Jazz Festival features a Big Top stage, Jazz Arena and a programme of family activities and events, as well as a food, drink, and market area. The music can’t help but spill out into this beautiful Regency town and right across Cheltenham visitors will find music being played in more than 50 bars, pubs, and clubs.
The Cheltenham Jazz Festival is a smorgasbord offering a deliberately wide variety of jazz music, aiming to appeal to traditionalists and new listeners alike. The audience, along with the programme of events, is wide and diverse and its world-class allure continues to garner acclaim. There is no doubt that this is a vibrant and ever-growing genre for all.
