Laura Jurd, Nitin Sawhney and Jamie Cullum for Cheltenham Jazz Festival @ Home Live Streamed Fest

Cheltenham Jazz Festival @ Home seek to recreate the essence of the long-running and hugely successful festival in a unique one-day celebration, which will feature a selection of some of the top jazz artists who were set to perform at this year’s event.

These will include exclusive sets from Irish singer-songwriter Imelda May; genre-hopping guitarist/composer Nitin Sawhney; award-winning trumpeter Laura Jurd; ambient improvising trio Chris Mapp and Stillefelt, the 16-piece Electric Lady Big Band, the TC Quartet featuring Denny Ilett; soul/rocker Roachford; beatboxer Shlomo; and Showcase sessions with two rising stars from last year’s Free Stage: Rosie Tee and Amahla.

Throughout the day the best of the festival’s Westons Sessions, filmed over the past seven years, will also be streamed. Sponsored by partners Henry Westons and curated by Cheltenham Jazz Festival, these intimate performances have been filmed behind the scenes at the Festival and feature an eclectic mix of established artists and emerging talent.

In the evening, the festival will hand over to BBC Radio 2 for a special show from Jamie Cullum with highlights from the past 10 years of Cheltenham Jazz Festival followed by another chance to hear Randy Crawford in concert from her 2018 Cheltenham appearance, introduced by Jo Whiley.

BBC Four have also joined in the celebration by making the award-winning Jazz 625 broadcast, which was created at last year’s festival, available to view for 21 days from 8 May. This was the first live BBC black and white TV programme broadcast since the 1970s, reviving the iconic 1960s BBC show Jazz 625 for one night only. 

The live broadcast from last year’s Cheltenham, featured a house band – led by pianist Robert Mitchell, with special guests including Joshua Redman, Jean Toussaint, Shirley Tetteh, Jacqui Dankworth and Gregory Porter. And an exclusive recorded performance from legendary Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts.

Dave Gaydon, Head of Programming for the Jazz Festival said “We’d like to say a huge thanks to all of the artists who have supported us in making this happen.  To be able to create a virtual Festival in three weeks has been amazing. We are delighted that we can offer a flavour of the Festival to those who, like us were disappointed by the cancellation due to COVID 19 and hope that Jazz lovers join us on their smartphone, smart TV or laptop and on BBC Radio 2 on Saturday 9 May as part of their Bank Holiday weekend plans.” 

This event has now passed but you can enjoy the whole thing again on the video below and for for more info visit www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/jazz