Cheltenham Jazz Festival announces addition to 2018 line-up.

Written by | Festivals, News

The Cheltenham Jazz Festival, which returns May 2nd to 7th, has revealed a second surge of names ahead of the full line-up announcement next month.

In November last year we published news of the artists selected to headline the festival. Added to the bill is the world’s biggest selling classical violinist of all time, maverick Nigel Kennedy, who will perform the music of Jimi Hendrix accompanied by his revered Polish jazz band at the Cheltenham Town Hall on Thursday 3rd May.

Four additional shows have also been confirmed for Saturday 5th May, including venerable British saxophonist Andy Sheppard with his formidable quartet featuring Eivind Aarset, Michel Benita and revered UK drummer Seb Rochford and a collaboration between multi Grammy Award-winning guitar pioneer Bill Frisell and New York bassist Thomas Morgan for their first ever UK show as a duo.

Mercury-nominated jazz rockers Roller Trio unveil a fresh new line-up starring Chris Sharkey with an exclusive premiere of new material from their forthcoming album, and renowned US drummer Jim Black showcases his Malamute project, hailed as “a masterpiece of future jazz” by The Wire, at the Parabola Arts Centre.

These names join Donny McCaslin, Kamasi Washington, Beth Hart, Randy Crawford, Christian McBride’s Big Band, Jason Moran, and Dinosaur, who were announced at the close of last year.

The full 2018 Cheltenham Jazz Festival line-up will be announced in February. Tickets for Randy Crawford, Beth Hart, Kamasi Washington and Christian McBride are on sale now, and available at the festival website.

Last modified: July 15, 2018