A Festival for Everyone
The 2023 Cheltenham Jazz Festival, happening from 26 April to 1 May, promises to captivate the spa town with its extensive and diverse line-up. The festival will feature renowned artists like Gregory Porter, Van Morrison, and Stanley Clarke, as well as cutting-edge jazz performers. With intimate family-oriented shows and free stage events, the festival aims to attract everyone from jazz aficionados to newcomers.
Family Fun at the Festival Village
The Family Tent, located in the bustling, publicly accessible Festival Village at Montpellier Gardens, offers a lively series of participatory workshops designed to entice jazz-curious parents and their children. Exciting events on Saturday, 29 April include Jazzlabs, Bostin Brass, and workshops on 30 April such as The Family Sing and Arun Ghosh’s Indo-Jazz Adventures. On Bank Holiday Monday, vocal phenomenon Randolph Matthews will showcase his multi-octave range and loop station.
Enjoy Free Performances and More at the Freestage
The Freestage, situated within the Festival Village, presents free-entry performances from an array of local jazz, soul, and blues talent. Festival-goers can also enjoy international food stalls, bars, and an on-site Record Store managed by Birmingham-based Stoney Lane Records, providing entertainment between sets.
Unique Commissions and Intimate Gigs
This year’s Jerwood Foundation commission series features Waves II, composer Andrew Woodhead’s bellringing-inspired project that merges music and physics. Performances will take place daily from 29 April to 1 May in the Montpellier Woods within the Festival Village site.
The nearby Daffodil Restaurant will host a series of intimate gigs featuring artists like Rosie Frater-Taylor and jazz harpist Amanda Whiting. Special late-night takeover sessions from high-energy band Kansas Smitty’s are also planned for the weekend.
Star-Studded Line-Up and Ticket Information
In addition to the family events and free stages, the festival boasts a remarkable line-up of performances, including Guy Barker and the BBC Concert Orchestra’s Soul Jazz Summit, Mica Millar, Skylla, Stian Westerhus, Ronnie Scott’s Big Band with Tony Hadley, Georgia Cécile, Ezra Collective, Black Top feat. Xhosa Cole, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Van Morrison, Lizz Wright, Julian Lage Trio, Stanley Clarke N 4EVER, Fergus McCreadie Trio, Deadeye with Kit Downes, Laura Jurd’s Tony Dudley-Evans Tribute, Laura Mvula, Damian Lewis with Kansas Smitty’s, Binker Golding group, and Gregory Porter & Friends. Jazzwise is the festival’s media partner.
Click here for the full event listings and ticket information.
