Cheltenham celebrates success of 2024 jazz festival

Cheltenham Jazz Festival rocked this year with a celebration of jazz, blues, soul and pop. 

Across six packed days, more than 40,000 music fans flocked to its Festival Village, confirming Cheltenham's position as one of Europe’s leading jazz festivals and bringing huge economic benefit to the town.

2024’s line-up marked an exciting era for the Festival. The programme honoured the legendary legacies of icons including Grammy-Award winner Dionne Warwick, American soul singer Bettye LaVette, Led Zeppelin icon Robert Plant, and renowned jazz pianist Brad Mehldau while also looking forward to the next generations of stars. 

From Brad Mehldau riffing with Birmingham Conservatoire students in the Festivals’ late night jam sessions, to rising star Lucy-Anne Daniels playing host to more than 1,400 Gloucestershire school children as part of the Festivals’ Jazz Concert for Schools, Cheltenham Jazz Festival is paving the way for the music makers of tomorrow.

In the Festival’s famed Big Top main stage, Sophie Ellis-Bextor brought the house down with disco delights, while Gregory Porter ended the Festival with a sold-out performance.

Jazz also spilled into the Festival town itself, as people enjoyed music on the Festival Village Free Stage as well as in more than 50 pubs, bars and clubs across the town as part of Cheltenham Festivals’ ...around town programme supported by Cheltenham BID,giving voice to local artists. Hundreds of people gathered onsite across the May Bank Holiday weekend, with tickets donated via local charity partnerships to marginalised communities and those who wouldn’t otherwise be able to attend. 

Ian George, Head of Jazz Programming and Co-CEO, said: "Every year we’re overwhelmed by the support from our audiences, artists, friends and supporters who all help bring our Festival Village to life. 

"It was amazing to see so many people enjoying all that Cheltenham Jazz Festival has to offer. From pop legends and soul icons to late night jams and sonic sounds, the Festival continues to build on and celebrate the breadth and depth of jazz music, its history and future – and works to ensure it all reaches the widest possible audience. As Cheltenham Festivals turns 80 next year, we’re already looking ahead to plans for 2025.”