Kansas Smitty’s

The Daffodil

£16 Please note that this event is standing.

See page 17 for details.

12.30–1.30pm J53

Paal Nilssen-Love’s Circus

Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Parabola Arts Centre

£25

Our Norwegian theme continues with a septet led by drummer Paal Nilssen-Love, drawing on Paal’s experiences in Ethiopia and Brazil and his fascination with Mali and Senegal music in an improvised performance.

12.30–1.45pm J18

Lizz Wright

Jazz Arena

£30

It’s no surprise Lizz Wright is one of Gregory Porter’s personal picks for the Festival. Bringing honey-toned vocals and soulful grooves, the Georgia-born singer adds a colourful vibrancy to original songs and jazz classics. Lizz uses the power of her ‘smooth, dark, alto, possessed of qualities you might associate with barrelaged bourbon or butter-soft leather’ ( New York Times) as a soaring reflection of her country’s cultural fabric.

Performances start at 1pm, 2.30pm and 5pm daily from Saturday 29 April–Monday 1 May

Waves II

Montpellier Woods FREE

See page 18 for details.

2–3.15pm J26

Eliades Ochoa – Star of Buena Vista Social Club

Cheltenham Town Hall

£20–£30

Celebrate Cuban rhythms and culture with Cuban Sonero Eliades Ochoa. On the iconic self-titled debut album, Ochoa sings the classic song Chan Chan. Long before he found fame with Buena Vista Social Club, Ochoa was beloved among lovers of Cuban music for his guajira, guaracha and bolero-inspired musical styles. With his trademark cowboy hat and black clothes, he has also been called the “Cuban Johnny Cash” and is one of the best guitarists of his generation.

2–3.30pm J07

Joe Stilgoe & The BBC Concert Orchestra

Big Top

£24–£32

Singer, pianist and songwriter Joe Stilgoe presents his latest album Theatre with the BBC Concert Orchestra, celebrating the greatest music of theatre in a new and dynamic way. He whips up a carnival of theatrical experiences, where the stage and the orchestra meet without boundaries. Featuring songs from Cabaret to Cats, and with music by Sondheim, Frank Loesser and Joe Stilgoe himself. The orchestra is joined by great players from the British jazz scene, plus for one night only Joe brings together the legendary Clarke Peters, astonishing performer Marisha Wallace and the emerging talent of JazzFM Jazz Act Of The Year

Georgia Cécile

2.30–3.30pm

Deadeye: Kit Downes and Reinier Baas

Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Parabola Arts Centre

£20

Currently one of the most forward-looking ensembles in Europe, Berlin-based musicians

Kit Downes (piano, Hammond organ), Reinier Baas (guitar) and Jonas Burgwinkel (drums) combine to present Deadeye

4–5.15pm

Mozes Rosenberg & Giacomo Smith

Quartet

Jazz Arena

£25

Giacomo Smith and Mozes Rosenberg bridge culture, tradition and time to create unique concerts drawing on the history of Django Reinhard’s music. Mozes’ virtuoso guitar and Giacomo’s breathtaking range of expression brings a new energy to this timeless music. In this all-star line-up, Giacomo joins forces with Dutch Sinti guitarist Mozes Rosenberg to move Django’s winning instrumental formula into the modern era. Together they perform original compositions, swing era classics, and other songs from outside the typical gypsy swing and Manouche repertoire.

Stanley Clarke N’4EVER

Cheltenham Town Hall

£20–£30

Stanley Clarke performs material from his illustrious bass-playing career, updating carefully selected tracks from his album to create exciting, complex and sophisticated arrangements. His project, Stanley Clarke N•4EVER emphasises Clarke’s jazz fusion legacy and is centred on the seminal Return to Forever album, Romantic Warrior. Expect a powerful combination of jazz harmony and improvisation with rock, funk, R&B, hip-hop and electronic music influences.

5.30–6.45pm

Rodrigo Y Gabriela

Big Top £30–£42

Since their 2006 breakout album, Rodrigo y Gabriela are long established masters of their instruments, whether it’s Rodrigo’s shimmering, hummingbird flourishes or Gabriela’s extraordinary engine-room rhythm. Dancing between world and rock and teeming with Hispanic passion, the fire in Rodrigo y Gabriela’s music stems from the duo’s life-long passion for jazz, flamenco and heavy metal. Cultivating a unique sound on acoustic guitars and moving from raging speed to sensual soul, brace yourself for a truly explosive performance.

Angusori

Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Parabola Arts Centre

£18

An extraordinary project bringing together the Norwegian Stavanger Kitchen Orchestra and Roma musicians led by Iva Bittova to present unique arrangements of traditional Roma songs.

7–9.45pm J33

Michelle David

The Daffodil

£75 Ticket includes a three-course set menu and champagne cocktail on arrival. Some tables may be shared. Bar open from 6pm with dinner served at 7pm. Performance 8.30–9.45pm.

Michelle David & The True-tones are a band that makes every show a soul spectacle with their unique take on gospel combined with soul, blues, jazz and just a hint of afrobeat. Together they perform new tracks from their 2022 album Truth & Soul, pairing elements of dreamy indie soul with a heavy 70’s vibe, mixed with Brazilian flavours and African rhythms.

Julian Lage

Jazz Arena

£25

Celebrated as one of the most prodigious guitarists of his generation, Julian Lage has spent more than a decade searching through the myriad strains of American musical history, combining impeccable technique, free association and infinite possibility. The California-born, New Yorkbased musician boasts a prolific repertoire in addition to collaborations with Gary Burton and John Zorn, and duo projects with Nels Cline, Chris Eldridge and Fred Hersch, among others. 8–9pm J55

Laura Jurd

Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Parabola Arts Centre

£25

Trumpeter and composer Laura Jurd presents a new work to mark Tony Dudley-Evans’ final Festival as Programme Adviser. The piece has been commissioned by Cheltenham Jazz Festival and is influenced by Tony’s love of different jazz styles.

11pm–1am J36

Kansas Smitty’s

The Daffodil

£16 Please note that this event is standing.

See page 17 for details.

9–10.15pm J19

Fergus McCreadie

Cheltenham Town Hall £25, £20

Pianist and composer Fergus McCreadie burst onto the national scene with his selfreleased debut album Turas in 2018 and is one of the most exciting young talents of the new UK jazz scene. Nominated for the 2022 Mercury Prize and winner of the Jazz FM Instrumentalist of the Year 2022, his music blends jazz and Scottish traditional music, designed to take you on a journey of homeland. Featuring his trio, David Bowden and Stephen Henderson, together they have the instrumental command, communication and originality to develop a huge global audience.

8–9.30pm J09

Van Morrison

Big Top £30–£66

His distinctive blend of R&B, soul and Celtic melodies have established Van Morrison as one of the most unique and celebrated musicians of a generation. With a career spanning seven decades, Van is joined by his live band to perform classics from his awardwinning back catalogue, including tracks from his new album, Moving on Skiffle

11am–12pm J21

SK Shlomo’s Beatbox Adventure for Kids

Jazz Arena

£10 Suitable for all ages

Following his sell-out show at 2019’s Cheltenham Jazz Festival, sonic superhero and world champion beatboxer SK Shlomo returns with his genre-defying show, using just his mouth and a mic. Entering a world of funny sounds, brilliant noises and cool music, he’ll make you one of his sidekicks and welcome a very special, surprise guest from the Festival on stage.

1–2pm J56

Kit Downes

St Andrew’s Church

£15

Composer Kit Downes has become a firm festival favourite. In his second gig at this year’s Festival, he brings together his love of jazz and church organ music in this highly-anticipated, solo organ performance.

Performances start at 1pm, 2.30pm and 5pm daily from Saturday 29 April–Monday 1 May

Waves II

Montpellier Woods FREE

See page 18 for details.

Laura Mvula

Big Top £28–£40

In an exclusive celebration of the 10th anniversary of her highly acclaimed debut album Sing To The Moon, songwriter, composer and recording artist Laura Mvula makes a triumphant return to the Festival. Her joyful take on brighthued retro-soul and jazz-infused pop gems spawned the massive breakthrough hit Green Garden and subsequent albums The Dreaming Room and Pink Noise. With a Mercury Prize nomination for each of her three albums, she has been continually praised for her originality while being compared to Nina Simone and David Axelrod and winning the praise of Prince and Elton John.

2.30–4pm

Damian Lewis

Jazz Arena

£30

Best known for his roles in Homeland and Band of Brothers, film and TV star Damian Lewis first picked up a guitar at 13. After busking in London throughout his early twenties, music became a beloved hobby while Damian’s acting career soared. During lockdown, Damian found himself in the recording studio with London-based musicians including Kansas Smitty’s Giacomo Smith. Hear tracks from Damian’s debut album set to be released this year.

4.30–5.45pm

Squeeze

Big Top

£30–£42

Once dubbed ‘The New Lennon and McCartney’, New Wave icons Squeeze are still reminding fans worldwide why they have left an indelible impression on the UK’s music scene. Fronted by songwriting duo Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook they play an energetic set full of hits from their 45-year career (Cools for Cats, Up The Junction, Tempted ), as well as some rarities from their back catalogue. Their seven piece line-up is one of the strongest ever – you’re in for a treat.

8.30–10pm

Gregory Porter & Friends

Big Top £40–£70

Top off your Cheltenham Jazz Festival experience and celebrate with the Festival’s Artistic Curator Gregory Porter in our Big Top. Gregory will be joined by special guests from across the Festival programme, including Lizz Wright and many more in a showstopping, toe-tapping extravaganza.

Binker Golding

Jazz Arena

£25

Known for his work with Binker & Moses, Elliot Galvin and Mr Jukes, Binker Golding makes his Cheltenham Jazz Festival debut hot off his second highly acclaimed album Dream like a Dogwood Wild Boy. His live shows are a captivating mix of Golding’s best and most mature writing yet, brought to life by slide-guitar, a driving rhythm section and his trademark, hard-hitting tenor sound. With songs that sound like the wide-open landscapes of mid-western America, Dogwood is an album that has the blues, Americana, heartland rock and whiskey running through its veins.

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