Cheltenham Jazz Festival returns on Wednesday 26 April for six heady days of jazz, soul, blues, and pop provided by a blend of iconic veteran performers, established stars, and emerging new talents.
Those confirmed include the Grammy-winning American singer/songwriter Gregory Porter, a festival favourite, who returns in the role of Artistic Curator and has handpicked a selection of artists, including acclaimed US singer, Lizz Wright. Fellow Americans, legendary fusion bassist Stanley Clarke, and guitarist Julian Lade, are also scheduled to appear, both making his debuts at the festival.
The legendary Celtic soul bard Van Morrison also makes a welcome return to the festival, premiering tracks from his forthcoming LP, Moving On Skiffle. Other illustrious names from the world of pop due to appear are ex-Spandau Ballet frontman, Tony Hadley, singers Will Young and MIKA, and the much-loved British pop band, Squeeze.
Also appearing will be Ivor Novello Award-winning vocalist Laura Mvula; acclaimed US singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright; Grammy-winning Mexican guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela; and British blues-rock singer and guitarist Jake Bugg. The British actor-turned-singer Damian Lewis will also appear performing with the jazz septet Kansas Smitty’s performing cuts from his forthcoming debut album.
Those hoping to catch the best of the UK’s contemporary jazz scene won’t be disappointed;
trumpeter Laura Jurd, saxophonist Binker Golding, London jazz quintet Ezra Collective, Mercury-nominated pianist Fergus McCreadie and singer Georgia Cécile will all be performing at the festival.
General tickets go on sale on Wednesday, March 1st. Get tickets:
http://www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/jazz
The full line-up for this year’s Festival is below.
Cheltenham Jazz Festival 2023:
WEDNESDAY 26 APRIL
Judith Owen
The Daffodil
Mika
Big Top
THURSDAY 27 APRIL
Denny Ilett
The Daffodil
Connor Selby
The Jazz Arena
The Soul Jazz Summit with the BBC Concert Orchestra
Big Top
FRIDAY 28 APRIL
Mica Millar
Jazz Arena
Skylla
Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Parabola Arts Centre
Amanda Whiting
The Daffodil
Will Young
Big Top
Stian Westerhus
Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Parabola Arts Centre
SATURDAY 29 APRIL
JazzLabs
Family Tent
Birmingham Conservatoire Sienna Exchange
Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Parabola Arts Centre
Emberlight
Family Tent
Showcase Double Bill Tamzene and Immy
Jazz Arena
Waves II
Montpellier Woods
Lucy-Anne Daniels
Hotel Du Vin
Tony Hadley with Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra
Big Top
CollapseUncollapse with Stian Westerhus
Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Parabola Arts Centre
Bostin Brass
Family Tent
Black Top with Xhosa Cole
Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Parabola Arts Centre
Rufus Wainwright
Big Top
Georgia Cécile
Jazz Arena
Diana Masters
The Daffodil
Sarah Brown Sings Mahalia Jackson
Jazz Arena
Espen Erikson Trio with Andy Sheppard
Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Parabola Arts Centre
Jake Bugg
Big Top
Ezra Collective
Cheltenham Town Hall
Kansas Smitty’s
The Daffodil
SUNDAY 30 APRIL
Laura and Her Musical Explorers
Family Tent
Family Sing with Black Vocals
Family Tent
Lizz Wright
Jazz Arena
Paal Nilssen-Love’s Circus
Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Parabola Arts Centre
Waves II
Montpellier Woods
Joe Stilgoe & the BBC Concert Orchestra
Big Top
Eliades Ochoa – Star of Buena Vista Social Club
Cheltenham Town Hall
Arun Ghosh – Indo Jazz Adventures
Family Tent
Deadeye – Kit Downes and Reiner Baas
Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Parabola Arts Centre
Mozes Rosenberg & Giacomo Smith Quartet
Jazz Arena
Rodrigo Y Gabriela
Big Top
Stanley Clarke ‘N’ 4EVER
Cheltenham Town Hall
Angusori
Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Parabola Arts Centre
Michelle David
The Daffodil
Julian Lage
Jazz Arena
Van Morrison
Big Top
Laura Jurd
Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Parabola Arts Centre
Fergus McCreadie
Cheltenham Town Hall
Kansas Smitty’s
The Daffodil
MONDAY 1 MAY
SK Shlomo’s Beatbox Adventures for Kids
Jazz Arena
Camilo Menjura Landscapes of Latin America
Family Tent
Laura Mvula
Big Top
Waves II
Montpellier Woods
Kit Downes
St Andrew’s Church
Randolph Matthews
Family Tent
Damian Lewis
Jazz Arena
Squeeze
Big Top
Binker Golding
Jazz Arena
Gregory Porter & Friends
Big Top
