Star Names For Cheltenham Jazz Festival 2014

“If someone doesn’t ‘get’ jazz, how do you woo them towards enjoying it? The Cheltenham Jazz Festival”
The Times

“A contact hit of jazz as an approachable, positive force… The hum of pleasure as the crowd left was constant in this corner of the Cotswolds”
★★★★★ The Independent

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

To request press tickets, please use this link:
https://cheltenhamfestivals.wufoo.eu/forms/press-accreditation-form-chel…

Notes to editors:

Event name: Cheltenham Jazz Festival 2014
Venue: Montpellier Gardens, GL50 1UW
Date: 30th April – 5th May 2014
Box Office: http://www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/jazz

View a gallery of highlights from last year’s festival here: http://www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/jazz/jazz-in-the-gardens/jazz-festiva…

Watch exclusive videos and live performances by emerging artists and star performers from the 2013 Cheltenham Jazz Festival, including Lianne La Havas, Gregory Porter and Laura Mvula: http://www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/jazz/jazz-in-the-gardens/henry-weston…

For further information, including interview requests, please contact Joe Baxter, Sheela Bates or Dom Christophers at Air MTM
[email protected] / [email protected] / [email protected] / 020 7386 1600