First names announced for Cheltenham Jazz Festival 2025

Cheltenham Jazz Festival has unveiled the first five artists lined up to perform at next year’s event as part of Cheltenham Festivals’ 80^th Anniversary celebrations, which will take place in venues across the historic spa town between 30 April – 5 May.

The full programme, which will incorporate large-scale concerts, intimate club shows, world premieres, masterclasses, family-friendly shows and an array of free events, will be announced in the new year.

Collage of images by Still Moving Media - Nubya Garcia, David Gray, Corinne Bailey Rae.

Making his debut at the Festival will be multi-million-selling British singer-songwriter David Gray. Gray will perform tracks from his highly anticipated new album Dear Life alongside classics from his extensive back catalogue, which includes 1998’s record-breaking, 7-million-selling White Ladder. Having recently been described by The Guardian as “one of the top-line names to emerge from the past decade’s explosion of young London jazz talent”, and following the release of her widely-acclaimed studio album Odyssey, Nubya Garcia is set to return to the Festival after a sold-out show at Cheltenham Town Hall back in 2022. Multi-GRAMMY-award-winning singer Corinne Bailey Rae will perform her hits and classic big band material with the esteemed Ronnie Scott’s Orchestra for an exclusive Cheltenham Jazz Festival show.

Also announced today is revered pianist and broadcaster Jools Holland whose peerless 50-year career has included chart-topping albums, collaborations with some of music’s biggest stars, and an array of awards including an OBE for services to the British music industry. He’ll be joined by former Squeeze band member Gilson Lavis who works regularly alongside Holland including at his annual Hootenanny celebrations. The thrilling Malian duo Amadou & Mariam, who’ve gained global attraction for their unique style combining traditional Malian sounds with everything from brass-heavy funk to reggae, Delta blues and Afro-Cuban jazz, are also on the 2025 line-up and will play a headline set at the Festival’s 2000-capacity Big Top.

2025 will also see the return of the Parabola Arts Centre programme, which is dedicated to new, innovative music. Looking ahead to next year's programme, Alex Carr, Contemporary Music Programmer at Southbank Centre and Jazz Programmer for Cheltenham Jazz Festival, said:

"Festival-goers can look forward to an exhilarating and diverse PAC programme that reflects a slice of the brilliant music that's being created in the UK with a sprinkle of international magic. Whether you're a fan of adventurous improvised music, or the cool bop of New York jazz this year's programme really does have something for everyone.  We'll be celebrating jazz in its most dynamic forms, from big bands to improvised duos, introducing breakthrough artists and rising talent from the vibrant British jazz scene, alongside renowned international names. Watch this space!".

Collage of images of Amadou & Mariam, Jools Holland by Still Moving Media and festival goers by Mikal Ludlow Photography.

Ian George, Head of Programming for the Jazz Festival and co-CEO of parent charity Cheltenham Festivals: 

“We're thrilled to share a taste of what Festival-goers can expect from Cheltenham Jazz Festival 2025. The first release of tickets for our exciting 2024 programme offers a glimpse into the breadth and depth the Festival aims for every year. Bringing together the finest contemporary jazz from across the globe, we celebrate every genre that pulses with jazz’s vibrant DNA. From symphonic ensembles and big bands to intimate club sessions and electrifying late-night jams, this year’s Festival captures the full spectrum of jazz’s evolution – as our preview for 2025 reveals.” 

Cheltenham Jazz Festival 2025 will take place in the Festival Village in the town’s central Montpellier Gardens featuring the Big Top stage, Jazz Arena, Free Stage and a variety of food and drink traders. The Festival is also set to pop-up across the town, incorporating several additional venues including Cheltenham Town Hall, Parabola Arts Centre, Dunkertons Tap Room and late-night jazz jams held at Hotel Du Vin. 

The full programme for Cheltenham Jazz Festival 2025 will be announced early next year. Tickets for the first wave of acts go on sale on Friday 22 November for Members and Monday 25 November for the public. View the line-up at Cheltenham Festivals website.