News: Jessie J, Joss Stone, Corinne Bailey Rae, Jack Savoretti And ore Confirmed For Cheltenham Jazz Festival

Cheltenham Jazz Festival has announced details of its 30^th anniversary edition, taking place from Wednesday 29^th April to Monday 4^th 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.

As Cheltenham Jazz Festival marks its 30^th 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 20^th 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.

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.

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 75^th 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 40^th 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 Birobrings powerful vocals and contemporary soul.

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.

Building on the charity’s landmark 80^th 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.

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.

Brendon Veevers

::: RenownedForSound.com’s Editor and Founder –
Interviewing and reviewing the best in new music and globally recognized artists is his passion.
Over the years he has been lucky enough to review thousands of music releases and concerts and interview artists ranging from top selling superstars like 27-time Grammy Award winner Alison Krauss, Boyz II Men, Roxette, Cyndi Lauper, Lisa Loeb and iconic Eagles front man/songwriter, Glenn Frey through to more recent successes including Newton Faulkner, Janelle Monae and Caro Emerald.
Brendon manages and coordinates the amazing team of writers on RenownedForSound.com who are based in the UK, the U.S and Australia.