Cheltenham Jazz Festival started in 1996, under the direction of Jim Smith and it has successfully established itself as one of the UK's most popular jazz festivals. Every year, around 15,000 music fans come to see some of the most creative musicians in the world. The festival has a varied and adventurous programme, challenging the stylistic boundaries set by other festivals and developing new audiences in jazz. It has justly earned a prestigious reputation for innovation and creativity and its unique relationship with BBC Radio 2 ensures a sparkling programme every year.

The Festival has presented a range of star names over the years, including Herbie Hancock, Ornette Coleman, Chick Corea, John Scofield, Dave Holland, Michael Brecker, Cassandra Wilson, Benny Golson, Joe Zawinul and Ray Brown.

Cheltenham Jazz Festival

New generation artists such as Jamie Cullum, Gilles Peterson, Stacey Kent, Jools Holland, Snowboy & the Latin Section and Courtney Pine perform at the festival, gaining appeal of the established as well as new jazz audiences. In addition, the Festival presents a lively fringe of local bands in pubs and clubs around town. Free music events take place in a Jazz Marquee, located in Imperial Gardens.

The events of Cheltenham Jazz Festival take place in a number of different venues ranging from Cheltenham Town Hall, Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham Racecourse, The Daffodil restaurant to St. Andrew's Church and Subtone night club.

2007 Cheltenham Jazz Festival was on for seven days and included performance from American saxophonist and free spirit Charles Lloyd with his new quartet, Miles Davis’ influential sideman Bennie Maupin in a rare UK appearance, and the groundbreaking composer and trombonist Bob Brookmeyer as an artist in residence. The festival opened with the sweet sounds of Madeleine Peyroux, Curtis Stigers was a guest with the live BBC broadcast of the Michael Parkinson radio show and Clint’s son Kyle Eastwood headlined events in the Daffodil.

This year’s Cheltenham International Jazz Festival is bringing Hollywood glamour to Cheltenham. Eartha Kitt, who is best known for her role as Catwoman in the 1960s TV series Batman, for her 1953 Christmas song "Santa Baby" and who has her own star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame, will open the festival with a performance at The Centaur at Cheltenham racecourse on April 29. It will be her only performance in the UK for 2008. The concert of Van Morrison will follow the next day.

Fringe events will include events at the Xposed Club. On Friday, 2nd May 2008 at 8pm Han Bennink, Dutch drummer and multi-instrumentalist, will be playing with local bands Longstone and Noose for Luke. Tickets £7 (students and concs £3). Saturday, 3rd May 2008 will feature a tribute to Sun Ra big band with open workshop from 12:00 noon to 2:00pm and then performance from 6pm to 7pm. Tickets for Saturday, which brings the whole day of Fringe events music, film and art/design work, are free.

CHELTENHAM JAZZ FESTIVAL 2008
29 April - 5 May 2008

In person at the Town Hall, or by telephone on 01242 227979. To book by post please address your booking forms to the The Jazz Festival Box Office at the Town Hall address and supply s. a. e. or £1 postage if you wish your tickets to be posted to you. You can also book online at www.cheltenhamfestivals.com

Buy five tickets for different events on the same day and you get the cheapest free.