Jamie Cullum
Other pianists set to make an appearance include South African Abdullah Ibrahim and the Grammy-nominated Fred Hersch.
The Cheltenham Jazz Festival returns in 2019 with its trademark broad-appeal mix of the very best classic and contemporary jazz, soul, blues and pop. Taking place from 1-6 May in the idyllic Cotswold Regency surroundings, this year’s festival will host an array of exclusive UK concerts and Festival debuts from international superstars and the best emerging talent from around the globe.
Set for Cheltenham this year are performances from newly appointed Associate Curator Jamie Cullum, who has handed the baton of Artistic Curator to multi-Grammy-winning Gregory Porter for the next three years. In addition to a much-anticipated headline show, Porter has handpicked a range of his favourite artists to perform throughout the Festival (more details below). Revered South African pianist Abdullah Ibrahim, whose Cheltenham show is a UK exclusive, is set to descend on the 2000-capacity Henry Westons Big Top venue. Ibrahim was a leading figure in the subgenre of Cape Jazz – a genre of jazz that was performed across South Africa in the 1960s. In 2007 he was presented with the South African Music Lifetime Achievement Award.
Pianist and composer Abdullah Ibrahim
Amongst Artist Curator Gregory Porter’s picks is twelve-time Grammy-nominated pianist Fred Hersch, who will play his only UK tour dates at the festival. Hersh has been the recipient of the Jazz Journalists Association Pianist of the Year on three occasions. Other internally renowned artists due to perform include Gregory Porter, Katie Melua, James Morrison, Curtis Stigers, Ronnie Scott’s Big Band, and Level 42 amongst others.
Pianist and educator Fred Hersch
The Festival offers a litany of inspirational opportunities for young people, including interactive shows for pre-schoolers in the Yamaha Discovery Space, performances for local school jazz bands including the ‘Jazz It Up’ showcase on the Free Stage, as well as offering a behind-the-scenes visit to the Friday Night Is Music Night rehearsal for students interested in the music industry, with the opportunity to meet the BBC Radio 2 producer and other professionals involved in the show.
For more information, visit the Cheltenham Jazz Festival website.
Tickets for Members are now on sale. General sale opens at 10am on Wednesday 6 March 2019.