Nubya Garcia, Corinne Bailey Rae with the Ronnie Scott's Orchestra and Jools Holland announced for Cheltenham Jazz Festival 2025

The Cheltenham Jazz Festival will return from 30 April to 5 May 2025 in the picturesque Cotswold spa town at key venues such as the Town Hall and Parabola Arts Centre. Organisers have confirmed the first names for the 2025 programme will include multi-award winning saxophonist Nubya Garcia who recently released her widely acclaimed new album, Odyssey. Also announced is double-Grammy Award-winning singer Corinne Bailey Rae will perform her hits and classic big band material with the esteemed Ronnie Scott’s Orchestra for an exclusive Cheltenham Jazz Festival show.

Further headliners include the hugely popular blues and jazz pianist, and ‘Later…’ TV presenter  Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Big Band; the brass-heavy funk to reggae, Delta blues and Afro-Cuban jazz of Bamako-born couple Amadou Bagayoko and Mariam Doumbia, aka Amadou & Mariam, and multi-million-selling British singer-songwriter David Gray will appear as part of the festival’s Big Top headline programme.

The wider line-up is sure to include Cheltenham’s successful blend of large-scale concerts, intimate club shows, world premieres, masterclasses, family-friendly shows and an array of free events, all of which will be announced in the new year. The festival site includes the Freestage, as well as the 2,000 capacity Big Top, and myriad smaller stages and tents hosting workshops and talks as well as international food stalls and bars.

The Parabola Arts Centre programme, which is dedicated to new, innovative music will be announced soon. Alex Carr, Contemporary Music Programmer at Southbank Centre and Jazz Programmer for Cheltenham Jazz Festival, said: "Festival-goers can look forward to an exhilarating and diverse PAC programme that reflects a slice of the brilliant music that's being created in the UK with a sprinkle of international magic. Whether you're a fan of adventurous improvised music, or the cool bop of New York jazz this year's programme really does have something for everyone. We'll be celebrating jazz in its most dynamic forms, from big bands to improvised duos, introducing breakthrough artists and rising talent from the vibrant British jazz scene, alongside renowned international names. Watch this space!".

Ian George, Head of Programming for the Jazz Festival and co-CEO of parent charity Cheltenham Festivals: “We're thrilled to share a taste of what Festival-goers can expect from Cheltenham Jazz Festival 2025. The first release of tickets for our exciting 2024 programme offers a glimpse into the breadth and depth the Festival aims for every year. Bringing together the finest contemporary jazz from across the globe, we celebrate every genre that pulses with jazz’s vibrant DNA. From symphonic ensembles and big bands to intimate club sessions and electrifying late-night jams, this year’s Festival captures the full spectrum of jazz’s evolution – as our preview for 2025 reveals.”

Jazzwise is festival media partner.

For more info visit www.cheltenhamfestivals.org/festivals/jazz-festival