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Full programme announced for the Barclays Cheltenham Jazz Festival 2010

The Barclays Cheltenham Jazz Festival has become an unmissable date in the jazz calendar due to its unique blend of British stars, one off collaborations and the freshest new sounds.

2010 sees more concerts, international legends and festival fun than ever before. The star-studded line-up includes Guest Director Jamie Cullum, Paloma Faith, Elaine Paige, John Scofield, Sir Michael Parkinson, Curtis Stigers, Buddy Greco, Stewart Lee and Craig Charles.

Ian George looks forward to his first year as Executive Director of the Jazz Festival:
"With six days of amazing jazz, blues, pop, club and world music this looks set to be the biggest and most varied line-up yet! Whether you are a jazz-fanatic, or just love live music – you will be sure to find something to delight in the 2010 line-up."

Programme Highlights

The festival, which runs from 28th April – 3rd May, boasts six days of the world’s finest jazz. For the first time Festival Director Tony Dudley Evans has invited a Guest Director to join him at the helm. Jazz superstar Jamie Cullum joins the Cheltenham team to bring a variety of performers to his favourite jazz festival. His choices range from dynamic young group Fringe Magnetic to a battle of the beats club night with jazz drummer Seb Rochford and beatbox pioneer Schlomo via the beautiful vocals of Norwegian group Beady Belle. Plus of course, Jamie stars in his own sure-to-sell-out gig on the Sunday night.

Jamie isn’t the only star name in this exciting programme… the ever brilliant Elaine Paige is also set to light up the Town Hall stage with a celebration of her love of classic jazz. The first lady of musical theatre performs in two showcase events – not just at the Town Hall – but also in a gala performance at the Daffodil Restaurant.

For another dose of star-studded decadence, join a celebration of the Ratpack as Sir Michael Parkinson Presents...Friday Night is Music Night: Sinatra. A stellar cast led by Curtis Stigers and Buddy Greco promises a journey through the songbook of Frank Sinatra. In this special Radio 2 concert the BBC Concert Orchestra and The John Wilson Orchestra joins forces for a night of celebration and amazing music.

For jazz aficionados the programme boasts some of the best international jazz legends throughout. Just some of the huge talent to look out for include US composer and musician Carla Bley with her Lost Chords quartet; John Surman in a greatly anticipated collaboration with the Nikki Yeoh Trio; and the unique pairing of jazz bassist Dave Holland with Spanish flamenco guitar maestro Pepe Habichuela. Plus don’t miss guitar genius John Scofield in a headline set over the Bank Holiday Weekend. Having collaborated with some of the world's greatest performers, including Miles Davis, Chet Baker, Charles Mingus and Bill Frisell, Scofield is an extremely talented jazz improviser.

Cheltenham prides itself on providing unique festival experiences – and this year the exceptional collaboration between retro soul starlet Paloma Faith and The Guy Barker Orchestra promises to be a festival highlight. Paloma hit the music scene in 2009, with a top ten debut album and a string of hit singles. She comes to Cheltenham to perform tracks from her album alongside the music of some of her idols, such as Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday. This stunning concert can only be seen in Cheltenham.

The festival aims to showcase the very best in emerging British and international jazz talent, and this is celebrated throughout the Pillar Room programme. This includes trioVD, Troyka, Empirical, FLY Trio, Polar Bear, Kit Downes and in a reworking of Carole King’s classic album Liam Noble and Christine Tobin perform their Tapestry Unravelled project.

In a brand new partnership, the festival has joined forces with the Norwegian Embassy to showcase the best up-and-coming Norwegian talent, with unique collaborations and education projects. This has led to performances from stellar Norwegian bands Food, Farmers Market and Beady Belle – as well as collaboration between the Birmingham Conservatoire and Trondheim Conservatory.

The programme features a dose of family friendly jazz in the form of the Family Breakfast Show on Bank Holiday Monday. It’s the perfect opportunity to see some fun and funky jazz, enjoy breakfast and read the paper whilst the family are entertained with some lively, upbeat tunes. A great way to kick-start a day of family fun at the jazz festival...

The festival isn’t just about great music. This year the organisers promise the best festival experience ever as the action branches out into Imperial Gardens with Jazz on the Square. A new 650 seat arena, food and drink stalls, jazz market and free outdoor music will all make sure that for six days Cheltenham truly becomes a jazz town! Plus, also new for 2010 is Cheltenham Untapped, an unprecedented celebration of regional talent on Bank Holiday Monday.