Corinne Bailey Rae appointed the Festival’s new Guest Curator for 2026-2028 and Miles Davis centenary to be marked with a special orchestral tribute
Author: Joe D’SouzaPublished 4 hours ago
Cheltenham Jazz Festival has announced details of its 30th anniversary edition, taking place from Wednesday 29th April to Monday 4th May 2026. One of Europe’s most popular jazz festivals, the six-day event will present a wide-ranging programme spanning international headliners, leading contemporary jazz artists, genre-crossing innovators and emerging UK talent.
30 Years Young: The Next Chapter
As Cheltenham Jazz Festival marks its 30th anniversary, the Festival celebrates three decades of championing world-class jazz, supporting emerging talent and bringing bold, diverse music to audiences in Cheltenham and beyond. Thirty years young, the Festival continues to look firmly to the future, building on a rich legacy of iconic performances while embracing new voices, fresh collaborations and innovative programming that will shape the next generation of jazz for years to come.
As part of the anniversary celebrations, the Festival has confirmed that double-Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae will become its new Guest Curator from 2026 to 2028. Taking over from Gregory Porter and coinciding with the 20th anniversary of her self-titled debut album, Bailey Rae will curate a series of specially commissioned performances and will play a central role in shaping the Festival’s artistic direction over the next three years. Her top picks for the Festival are Joss Stone, Lady Blackbird, Gotts Street Park, Ladies of Midnight Blue, Emma Jean-Thackray and Tinariwen.
Corinne Bailey Rae – Cheltenham Jazz Festival Guest Curator, said:
“I’m thrilled to be joining Cheltenham Jazz Festival as Guest Curator in its 30th year and to be helping shape its artistic journey over the next three years”, says Corinne Bailey Rae. “Jazz is such an important part of my life and learning journey, and I’m excited to celebrate its incredible legacy as part of the Cheltenham family, exploring new ideas and future collaborations while also bringing new voices to the forefront”.
The 2026 Festival will also mark the centenary of Miles Davis with a special orchestral tribute from the Guy Barker Big Band & BBC Concert Orchestra who’ll present Miles Davis Symphonic: Kind of Blue featuring exclusive arrangements and guest performers, celebrating the enduring influence of one of the most important and influential figures in jazz history.
World Class Performances and Jazz Stars
Among the headline performances at the Festival’s 2000-capacity Big Top are Brit-Award-winning singer-songwriter Jessie J, making her Cheltenham Jazz Festival debut; visionary singer-songwriter Van Morrison; a hit-filled set from Earth Wind & Fire Experience by Al McKay; double Brit Award-winning soul star Joss Stone; the world-renowned Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra with special guests; 30 million-selling art-pop pioneers 10cc; an intimate acoustic set from Jack Savoretti; the world’s best-selling violinist Nigel Kennedy; 80s pop trailblazers ABC; Motown-inspired vocalist Jalen Ngonda; and British singer-songwriter James Morrison performing music from his latest album Fight Another Day.
The Festival’s contemporary jazz programme continues its long-standing commitment to excellence, welcoming one of the most influential saxophonists of his generation Joshua Redman; US guitarist Bill Frisell performing a special show to mark his 75th birthday alongside mentor Eyvind Kang; boundary-pushing drummer and producer Makaya McCraven; and the US singer dubbed “the Grace Jones of jazz” Lady Blackbird.
Celebrating the UK’s rich jazz and soul heritage, the programme also features Courtney Pine marking the 40th anniversary of his landmark debut album Journey to the Urge Within; Mercury Prize nominee Emma-Jean Thackray; Scottish retro soul-jazz singer Georgia Cécile; Leeds-based trio Gotts Street Park; fast emerging soul singer Nectar Woode; Gentlemen’s Dub Club celebrating 20 years since their formation; and London-based duo Blue Lab Beats.
In 2026, the newly titled DEYA Arena will expand its capacity to 900 and will be sponsored by Cheltenham-based DEYA Brewery as part of a new Partnership. The venue will host a strong international line-up including Cuban pianist Roberto Fonseca; Saharan desert blues collective Tinariwen; along with a 90s mixtape from DJ YODA and vivacious contemporary jazz from home-grown talent, saxophonist and vocalist Kim Cypher.
This year’s Dunkertons stage brings bold blues influences to the Festival. The Easy Rollers deliver a set inspired by 1930s swing, Giacomo Smith brings sharp modern blues energy, and emerging talent Elysia Biro brings powerful vocals and contemporary soul.
Championing The Brightest and Emerging Talent
The Parabola Arts Centre (PAC) returns with a programme focused on adventurous new work and emerging talent. Highlights include forward-thinking saxophonist Emma Rawicz; a specially commissioned show from Yazz Ahmed; British jazz tuba player Theon Cross; acclaimed saxophonist Camilla George; BLACKSABBATHMODE – a reimagining of the music of Black Sabbath from the nu-jazz duo BIGHEADMODE (Robbie and Ewan Moore) and south London multi-instrumentalist Plumm; American singer and broadcaster China Moses and more.
Nurturing the Talent of Tomorrow
Building on the charity’s landmark 80th campaign, which reached more than 80,000 children, this year’s Jazz Festival continues its year-round commitment to talent development and outreach. The Festival will present a range of family-friendly events, including Jazz It Up on the Free Stage, a Family Concert and a Jazz Concert for Schools, enabling hundreds of children to experience jazz music in a fun, welcoming and inclusive environment.
The Festival’s learning and participation activity also extends far beyond the Bank Holiday weekend. Through Musicate, its flagship education programme, the charity brings new and unfamiliar genres of music into schools throughout the year, inspiring pupils and teachers through hands-on and inclusive musical experiences.
As part of the Festival’s wider commitment to talent development and local arts scenes, across the week emerging and local talent will play in venues across Cheltenham including Joe Hicks, The Good Stuff and Dub Catalyst.
Ian George, Head of Programming for the Jazz Festival and co-CEO of parent charity Cheltenham Festivals:
“Reaching 30 years is a major milestone for Cheltenham Jazz Festival. This anniversary programme reflects everything the Festival has always stood for – world-class artists, boundary-pushing jazz and a platform for the next generation. We’re delighted to have appointed the brilliant Corinne Bailey Rae as our new Guest Curator and look forward to our collaboration over the next three years.”
Access To Music returns to Cheltenham Jazz Festival 2026 on Friday 1st May at the Cheltenham Town Hall, continuing its mission to bring together leading voices in music and accessibility. This year the conference will host keynote speakers including Grammy nominated artist Lachi; panels, lightning talks and presentations exploring the latest innovations and challenges; networking and technology discovery sessions throughout the day and roundtables, performances and research discussions coordinated by AEME.
The second edition in 2025 welcomed a hybrid audience to keynote speeches from Suzanne Bull MBE & Dr Rhoda Bernard, Managing Director of Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education. Participating organisations included: UK Music, NHS England, Attitude is Everything, Drake Music UK, Youth Music, RNIB, Supajam, Sound Without Sight, Creative United, Technology in Music Education (TiME), PRS Foundation and universities from the AEME network.
Based in the Festival Village at Montpellier Gardens, Cheltenham Jazz Festival 2026 will once again offer a diverse mix of special one-off performances, free events, workshops, family shows and late-night jams, alongside shows across town including Cheltenham Town Hall and Hotel Du Vin.
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