Jazz breaking news: Countdown to Cheltenham Jazz Festival
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
With the Cheltenham Jazz Festival getting underway next week at its new location in Montpellier Gardens, the organisers have announced a vibrant Free Stage programme, including a Verve Records Showcase series and the finals of the Yamaha Jazz Experience, as well as a jazz-related movie programme at an on-site boutique cinema, the Screening Rooms.
Headlining the festival, running from Wednesday 2 May to Monday 7 May held in association with BBC Radio 2 and sponsored by Jazzwise, is May issue cover star Marcus Miller alongside Bill Frisell; Melody Gardot; Chris Potter; John Taylor; Fieldwork featuring Vijay Iyer; Lighthouse, Paloma Faith with the Guy Barker Orchestra and a special Gregory Porter concert featuring Jamie Cullum, while a last minute coup to the full festival line-up as noted in Jazzwise last month is the opening night concert featuring Steve Winwood and his band at the Big Top on 2 May.
The Free Stage programme, Fringe in the Gardens, takes place from 3-7 May with a busy line-up of mainly unsigned jazz and blues talent from the surrounding area, including Inspector Gadjo Trio, Indigo Kings, Hanna Paulsberg, Chris Mapp’s Gambol, Moonlight Saving Time and Gordon Wood & Phil Bird among many others. The free entry Verve Records Showcase also takes place on the Free Stage from 4-6 May with upcoming UK artists including Jodie Marie, Grace, Natalie Duncan, Sam Johnson, Alexander Stewart, Laura Mvula, Louise and the Pins, and Martyna appearing. The finals of the Yamaha Jazz Experience takes place on the Free Stage on 7 May from 1pm, with nine of the best new school jazz ensembles competing across three categories before a panel, including Julian Joseph, Gwilym Simcock, Peter Ind, Issie Barratt and Richard Michael, while a further schools jazz programme takes place on the Free Stage on Sat 5-Sun 6 May from 10.45am-1.15pm. The Screening Rooms jazz film programme will run from 4-7 May with screenings throughout the afternoons and evenings including the launch of a new movie, A Nice Touch, a film noir-inspired short film starring Dougray Scott and singer Paloma Faith, with music by Guy Barker, followed by a discussion with Faith and Barker.
– Jon Newey
For tickets and full information go to www.cheltenhamfestivals.com
Marcus Miller (pictured, above). Photo: Tim Dickeson