Cheltenham Jazz Festival, a cornerstone of the UK music calendar, is gearing up for its 2025 edition with an exciting lineup that promises to captivate audiences from Wednesday, 30 April, to Monday, 5 May. As part of Cheltenham Festivals’ 80th-anniversary celebrations, this six-day event will transform the historic spa town into a vibrant hub of music, drawing jazz enthusiasts and curious newcomers alike.
This year’s festival will feature a diverse mix of large-scale concerts, intimate club performances, world premieres, masterclasses, family-friendly events, and free activities across Cheltenham. The heart of the Cheltenham Jazz Festival will be the Festival Village in Montpellier Gardens, complete with the Big Top stage, Jazz Arena, Free Stage, and an enticing selection of food and drink vendors. The Festival will also take over key venues across town, including Cheltenham Town Hall, the Parabola Arts Centre, Dunkertons Tap Room, and Hotel Du Vin, which will host its signature late-night jam sessions.
Over the years, Cheltenham Jazz Festival has established itself as one of Europe’s most exciting jazz events. The 2022 edition, for instance, saw a triumphant return after a pandemic hiatus, featuring stars like Gregory Porter, Jamie Cullum, and Paloma Faith, alongside groundbreaking collaborations such as Gary Bartz with Maisha and the debut of Imelda May with the Ronnie Scott’s Big Band. The festival’s reputation for innovation and discovery is further exemplified by the inclusion of avant-garde performances and a strong focus on the vibrant British jazz scene.
Each Festival edition is known for fostering new talent while honoring jazz legends. Previous Festivals have hosted trailblazers like Herbie Hancock and Mulatu Astatke, while also giving a platform to rising stars such as Moses Boyd and Laura Jurd. These elements combine to make Cheltenham Jazz Festival not only a celebration of jazz’s legacy but also a vital contributor to its future.
With the full programme set to be revealed early next year, the initial lineup gives a tantalizing glimpse of what’s in store. Fans can look forward to the mesmerizing saxophone mastery of Nubya Garcia, whose 2022 Cheltenham performance was a sold-out triumph. The saxophonist, lauded as one of the most prominent names to emerge from the modern UK jazz explosion, is celebrated for her innovative sound and her critically acclaimed album Odyssey.
Adding a global flavor, Malian duo Amadou & Mariam will headline the Festival’s Big Top stage. Renowned for their dynamic fusion of traditional Malian sounds with funk, reggae, and Afro-Cuban jazz, as part of their ‘Best-Of’ album tour for La Vie est Belle. Their electrifying set will undoubtedly be one of the event’s most vibrant moments.
Other names to feature will be the iconic British singer-songwriter David Gray making his festival debut, performing tracks from his new album, Dear Life, along with classics from his seven-million-selling White Ladder and festival favorite and multi-GRAMMY winner Corinne Bailey Rae will return, this time accompanied by the legendary Ronnie Scott’s Orchestra for a big band extravaganza.
The returning Parabola Arts Centre (PAC) program is one of the festival’s crown jewels. It offers an unparalleled experience of jazz in its most adventurous and innovative forms, known for spotlighting experimental performances and genre-blurring collaborations, and providing a platform for breakthrough artists and avant-garde creations.
In 2025, audiences can expect a thrilling mix of improvisational duos, bold new compositions, and dynamic international collaborations, all designed to showcase jazz as a living, evolving art form. Whether you’re a fan of daring improvisation or curious about jazz’s experimental edge, the PAC program promises something extraordinary.
Festival programmer Alex Carr describes it as “a slice of the brilliant music being created in the UK with a sprinkle of international magic.” For those seeking to explore the future of jazz, the Parabola Arts Centre will be a must-visit.
Tickets are now on sale for the first wave of performances, with the full program announcement expected early next year. Whether you’re drawn to the punchy sounds of a big band, the energy of experimental jazz, or the intimacy of small ensemble performances, Cheltenham Jazz Festival 2025 promises an unforgettable celebration of music. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this extraordinary experience.
