Gilles Peterson, Robert Cray and Loose Tubes 30th Anniversary Reunion Amongst First Shows Announced For Cheltenham Jazz Festival 2014
A host of world class musicians will once again descend on the Cotswold town of Cheltenham in May 2014 for the return of the Cheltenham Jazz Festival.
Although full details of the line-up are yet to be disclosed, the organisers have made an initial announcement which hints that the programme will again feature the festival’s trademark mix of jazz icons and up-and-coming new artists interspersed with unique, one-off performances from established international stars.
Amongst the first names confirmed for Cheltenham Jazz Festival 2014 are five-time Grammy-winner Robert Cray; world renowned DJ and broadcaster Gilles Peterson, who will perform a DJ set at a late night club event featuring a live performance from a very special guest band; and the first show in 24 years from acclaimed ’80s big band Loose Tubes, who are reuniting to mark their 30th anniversary.
“That Loose Tubes have chosen to perform their reunion gig at Cheltenham Jazz Festival is a real coup for the Festival and for Cheltenham,” commented Festival Director Ian George. “Loose Tubes were the first ever jazz orchestra to play the BBC Proms and jazz fans round the world have been eagerly hoping for this reunion.”
“Programming for the 2014 Festival is well under way – 2014 will see the return of the popular club nights and we already have some very big names scheduled to appear in the Big Top. The free stage will also return, giving local artists a chance to perform in front of a hugely appreciative jazz crowd, and we will be launching a new talent search for an emerging jazz artist.”
BBC Radio 3 in association with Jazz on 3 have commissioned new pieces from Loose Tubes original members Chris Batchelor, Steve Berry, Eddie Parker and Django Bates. These will be premiered at Cheltenham Jazz festival alongside classic repertoire from the band’s back catalogue including Yellow Hill, Shelley, The Last Word, Sticklebacks and Sunny.
The 2014 Cheltenham Jazz Festival takes place from 30 April -5 May and is hosted in a tented festival village in Cheltenham’s Montpellier Gardens, featuring a Big Top stage, the Jazz Arena, and a food, drink and market area.
The full 2014 Cheltenham Jazz Festival line-up will be announced in the New Year.
“The long running Cheltenham Jazz Festival has always fluidly negotiated the terrain between popular appeal and the demands of its core jazz audience” ????? Financial Times
“A contact hit of jazz as an approachable, positive force… The hum of pleasure as the crowd left was constant in this corner of the Cotswolds” ????? The Independent
“One of the UK’s classiest and most eclectic jazz festivals” The Guardian
For more information, please go to:
Cheltenham Jazz Festival Official Website
