Gregory Porter, the multi-award-winning jazz vocalist, today announces a new three-year role as Artistic Curator of Cheltenham Jazz Festival. This will see him performing a headline show on Saturday 4^th May, curating a series of artists for the festival, and working in collaboration with guest artists.

Gregory said “Cheltenham Jazz Festival has an international reputation for bringing the very best artists together and producing unique shows. I’m very excited to be working with the Festival team to help create this extraordinary artistic village.”

Jamie Cullum who has filled the role since 2010 will become Associate Curator and said: “Like me, Gregory has a history with this great festival I am delighted that he will be joining the team at Cheltenham to bring audiences unique events, intimate shows with major artists and highlighting the next generation of incredible artists.”

Performing on the same bill are three early headliners who will appear at the Festival from May 1^st to 6^th next year.

Brazilian bossa nova legend Sergio Mendes makes his first visit to the UK in many years when he plays the Big Top on Saturday 4^th May.  With over 35 albums, three Grammy awards and an Oscar nomination to his name, Mendes’ influence on the music industry has spanned five decades. Also performing on Saturday 4^th May is celebrated American saxophonist Joshua Redman with drummer Gregory Hutchinson and bassist Reuben Rogers, while boundary-crossing trio The Bad Plus will make their first visit to Cheltenham on Sunday 5^th May with a new pianist Orrin Evan. 

Building on the success of last year’s festival, the Henry Westons Big Top capacity will increase by 50% to 2,000 seats, enabling more people to enjoy the most popular events and offering better sightlines to the stage.   The Free Stage will move to a new position within the Festival Village on Montpellier Gardens to ensure that the crowds who gather to see the top local and national talent for free over the Bank Holiday weekend have space to sit back and relax.

Head of Programming Emily Jones said: “It's a pleasure to announce these first four artists as we continue to bring the best in jazz to Cheltenham, especially when so many more people will be able to enjoy the gigs next year thanks to our bigger Big Top venue. With Gregory Porter on board, we also have some unique experiences in store which will be revealed when the full line-up is announced next year.”

Tickets will go on sale to Cheltenham Festivals Members at 1pm on 27^th November and to the general public at 1pm on 29^th November.

www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/jazz

The full Cheltenham Jazz Festival line-up will be announced on 13^th February. To be the first to hear Festival announcements, sign up at cheltenhamfestivals.com.