The Cheltenham Jazz Festival 2020 has announced its full list of performers. Due to take place between May 5-10 [incorporating the bank holiday], this year’s programme once again balances a core of jazz and mainstream offerings, from today’s biggest stars to heritage legends and next-generation talent. It’s also bringing in some pop for the first time.
Headliners include Beverley Knight, KC & The Sunshine Band, Emeli Sandé, Imelda May with the Ronnie Scott’s Big Band, blues/folk-inspired co-operative Saving Grace, who will unveil their brand-new project featuring singers Robert Plant and Suzi Dian, plus former new wave icons Squeeze.Also scheduled to play are Malian pop duo Amadou & Mariam and The Blind Boys Of Alabama, Nitin Sawhney and Booker T Jones.
Gregory Porter will open the six-day event with a concert at the 2000-seat capacity Henry Westons Big Top and has selected various acts for the ‘Gregory’s Picks’ series: see more on page 8.
The Festival’s long-standing partnership with BBC Radio 2 continues, with special broadcasts throughout the weekend. DJ and broadcaster Gilles Peterson will take up residence at Warehouse @ The Brewery Quarter – a new pop-up venue, where in addition to his own DJ set will showcase some of the acts he’s championing right now on the UK scene: alt singer-songwriter Rosie Lowe, punk jazzers Melt Yourself Down and the excellent Leeds band Nubiyan Twist.
Tickets go sale to members at 10am on Wednesday 26 February 2020 and on general sale from 10am on Wednesday 4 March 2020.
Visit https://www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/jazz/