The Budvar Cheltenham Jazz Festival 2009

Budvar
Cheltenham Jazz Festival (28th April – 4th May) 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. In the 2009
programme, up-and-coming young musicians sit alongside some of the jazz
scene’s most influential and respected performers. With more
opportunities for dancing, wining and dining than ever before, this
year’s festival is a whistle-stop tour of the world’s finest jazz set
to a stunning regency backdrop.

At the head of this year’s
star-studded programme, world famous virtuoso violinist Nigel Kennedy
will celebrate the Bank Holiday in a spell-binding festival finale.
Undoubtedly one of the most important violinists Britain has ever
produced, Kennedy’s passion for jazz resulted in the acclaimed album
Blue Note Sessions in 2006. He brings his Polish Jazz Quintet to
Cheltenham to perform exciting high-energy compositions which roam from
blues and bebop to ballads and bossa-nova, interspersed with an
occasional blast of metal. This is a unique and exciting opportunity to
see this icon of British music.

International starlet
Madeleine Peyroux returns to Cheltenham following her sell-out
performance in 2007. Her previous albums Half the World Away and
Careless Love sold over a million copies, earning critical-acclaim for
her jazz/blues interpretations of works by artists such as Leonard
Cohen and Edith Piath. In the intimate setting of the Everyman this
will be Peyroux at her jazz club best.

At its heart, Cheltenham
rejoices in the talent of some truly legendary jazz performers. South
African trumpeter Hugh Masekela boasts a career that spans the entire
history of jazz. Having collaborated with such diverse musicians as
Paul Simon and Fela Kuti, his performance in Cheltenham promises a
gloriously uplifting combination of jazz and township jive to fabulous
effect.

Cheltenham’s relationship with BBC Radio 2 continues
to flourish with two unique concerts. In Friday Night Is Music Night
the BBC Concert Orchestra and the Guy Barker Big Band tell the story of
Billy Strayhorn and his controversial relationship with Duke Ellington,
whilst in a renowned festival collaboration, Artist in Residence Dave
Liebman performs with the BBC Big Band. As the leading preserver of
John Coltrane’s saxophone legacy, Liebman’s gentle approach will be
complemented by the accompanying sounds of drummer Jeff Williams.
Liebman will also share the secrets of his success in a live recording
of BBC Radio 3 Jazz Library with jazz guru Alyn Shipton.

Following
sell-out performances last year, Jack DeJohnette returns to Cheltenham
for a unique performance with a band featuring the finest UK’s talent
from the Jerwood Jazz Generation and Take 5 schemes. One of jazz
music’s greatest drummers, this is a hugely anticipated collaboration.
In a festival association pianist Nikki Yeoh performs with her
excellent Trio Infinitum to present a number of specially commissioned
pieces featuring guest John Surman.

The programme takes us on a
heady journey from iconic legends to stars of the future courtesy of
the Jerwood Jazz Generation – a showcase for the very best young talent
in the UK. James Allsop’s new trio The Golden Age of Steam promises a
multi-coloured world of improvised sound whilst Robert Mitchell
celebrates hip-hop, folk, electronica and rock with his new group 3i0.
Elsewhere BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist Tom Arthurs debuts his new
quintet featuring festival favourite Ingrid Laubrock and Chris Bowden
sets out to prove that jazz can be as contemporary and relevant as
modern sampled music. With unique approaches and refreshing energy,
each musician of the Jerwood Jazz Generation offers the chance to hear
some truly cutting edge sounds.

The festival also has plenty
of opportunities to dance the night away. With her infectiously unique
fusion of rockabilly, blues and jazz, Imelda May’s star is on the rise.
In this headline slot at club Dakota, Imelda’s distinctive and
uplifting performance is bound to be a toe-tapping festival highlight.
For some international grooves join Alex Wilson’s Salsa Orchestra as
they delight with a combination of fiery afro Latin tunes, soaring jazz
licks, unique R&B influences and powerful vocals. At the other end
of the dance spectrum, YouTube sensation Beardyman will be joined by
The Scratch Perverts for a night of off-the-wall human beat-boxing and
scratching – jazz style. These entertaining and diverse concerts will
have jazz lovers dancing through the night…

In four glamorous
evenings the festival brings a series of unique performances to the
beautiful Art Deco setting of The Daffodil. The series starts in chic
style with the sublime vocals of Lizzy Parks. Since featuring as a
Jerwood Rising Star three years ago, Lizzy’s cutting edge soul and
unique sound has won her wide critical acclaim. In another truly
unforgettable performance Lea Delaria will bring her trademark mix of
cool swinging jazz with in-your-face comedy to The Daffodil. For some
classic jazz tunes, Scottish singer Todd Gordon will perform songs from
his new album which celebrates the genius of one of the world’s
greatest lyricists of all time, Johnny Mercer, who penned such timeless
classics as Moon River and That Old Black Magic. And in his highly
anticipated return to Cheltenham, movie star Colin Salmon takes time
from his Hollywood schedule to play the trumpet in his very own quartet
in an evening of unrivalled Hollywood glamour. Combining smooth sounds
and the finest eating experience in Cheltenham, these concerts are
always a firm festival favourite.

In our very popular family
breakfast slot, The Homemade Orchestra and Michael Rosen form a unique
combination and a lively addition to the festival. Together they will
perform a piece which combines Rosen’s poetry with music to ignite the
surreal, playful and truly unexpected. Add to this a gospel
extravaganza with the Ruach Choir and guests including Mica Paris, the
schools’ project Jazz It Up!, master classes, free fringe events round
town, the Budvar Jazz Marquee and even our very own jazz inspired
cocktails – and this year’s programme offers a feast of festival fun.

Budvar Cheltenham Jazz Festival 28 April – 4 May
Booking opens 2 March 2009
Box Office: 0844 576 7979 Web: cheltenhamfestivals.com/jazz

For further media information please contact the Cheltenham Festivals Press Office below:

Amy Hulyer, Press Co-ordinator T: 01242 775856
E: [email protected]
Cheltenham Festivals Press Office, 109 Bath Road, Cheltenham, Glos. GL53 7LS