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Jazz Listen
6 days of beautiful, bold, brilliant Jazz in the heart of Cheltenham. Click the links below to listen to soundclips and watch preview videos of our Jazz Festival 2012 artists...
Steve Winwood
Since rocketing to stardom as a teenager with the Spencer Davis Group, Steve Winwood has gone on to lead a hugely successful career both as a solo artist and as a member of groups such as Traffic and Blind Faith. He has also collaborated with some of the world’s greatest musicians including Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix and James Brown.
Steve Winwood - I'm a Man (extract)
Paloma Faith
Retro soul sensation Paloma Faith returns to Cheltenham to close the Festival with a world exclusive of her new album alongside the fabulous Guy Barker Orchestra.
The Puppini Sisters
The sweetly charming vocal harmonies of the Puppinis bring new life to songs that have existed in the public consciousness for over half a century.
Imelda May
The queen of rockabilly returns to the Festival. Her stompin’ anthems ‘Johnny Got A Boom Boom’, ‘Psycho’ and ‘Inside Out’ deliver an electrifying blend of 1950s rock ‘n’ roll with rhythm ‘n’ blues
Candi Staton
The legendary Gospel diva Candi Staton has been thrilling audiences for over 50 years with her glittering hits which include 70s disco hit Young Hearts Run Free, Nights on Broadway and You’ve Got The Love.
Marcus Miller
A Grammy Award winner, he is one of the most respected musicians of the last decade and arguably the best electric bass player in the business, having played with everyone from Miles Davis to Frank Sinatra.
Juan Zelada & Miss 600
Catch two rising talents in the UK music scene, whose jazz tinged pop has made them ones to watch in 2012.
The multitalented pianist, guitarist and songwriter Juan Zelada is welcoming swathes of new fans following on from the success of his first single Breakfast in Spitalfields.
Discovered by James Morrison while playing an acoustic set Miss 600 have enjoyed a whirlwind 12 months with their debut single Twist and then the equally infectious Typically Me riding high on the BBC Radio 2 play lists.
Bill Frisell
Renowned for his genre-hopping approach Bill Frisell is a master of timbre and colour. He explores country-steeped impressionism and brooding folk-blues, alongside more uptempo and infectious rhythms with his Beautiful Dreamers trio formed in 2008 featuring long-time associate Eyvind Kang on viola and drummer Rudy Royston.
Melody Gardot
Drawing upon elements of jazz, blues, folk and country, Melody Gardot has a deeply expressive voice that is both sensitive and seductive.
Baby I'm A Fool - Melody Gardot
Robert Fonseca
The Buena Vista Social Club prodigy Roberto Fonseca is joined by a new generation of Cuban stars to create an astonishingly original musical landscape.
Gregory Porter
With a voice that can caress or confront, embrace or exhort, souful singer Gregory Porter exploded on to the music scene following his spellbinding performance on Later with Jools Holland and the release of his superb debut album 'Water.'
Zara McFarlane
Blessed with a fine voice, young jazz singer Zara McFarlane performs a mix of classic standards alongside her own originals, featuring a soulful undercurrent that will appeal to fans of Jill Scott and Erykah Badu as well as Cassandra Wilson and Dianne Reeves.
Zara McFarlane - Chiaroscuro by Brownswood
CW Stoneking
Banjo playing, gravel voiced and stylishly attired CW Stoneking has won such influential fans as Jools Holland and Jack White with his unique sound, which he describes as calypsonian blues, hokum and jungle music.
Sheelanagig
Bristol based Sheelanagig have been honing their eclectic blend of Balkan folk, jazz and world music since early 2005.
Liam Noble
Pianist Liam Noble leads a new quintet which augments the trio that recorded his acclaimed “Brubeck” album with Chris Batchelor on trumpet and Shabaka Hutchings on clarinet. They perform new music where the classic hard bop line up rubs shoulders with contemporary influences.
Three To Get Ready - Liam Noble Trio
Fieldwork
Hailed as one of today’s truly original and groundbreaking ensembles, Fieldwork brings together three of creative music’s most exciting young composer-performers, Vijay Iyer on piano, Steve Lehman on alto & sopranino saxophones and Tyshawn Sorey on drums.
Speakeasy
Be transported back to the prohibition era of 1920s and 30s America as Cheltenham’s first speakeasy opens for one night only. The Rabbit Foot Spasm Band will lead the way as the liquor flows and the place is jumping get your dancing shoes on and swing brother swing!
Jeff Williams
A hard hitting, hard swinging, performance by four of New York’s finest musicians, led by drummer and composer Jeff Williams. Well known on both sides of the Atlantic, he presents music from his new album Another Time which balances an adventurous cutting-edge sensibility with melodic accessibility.
Helge Lien Trio
Continuing the great tradition of Scandinavian jazz piano trios, Helge Lien Trio build on the musical terrains explored by Bill Evans and Esbjörn Svensson.
Abram Wilson
The charasmatic New Orleans trumpeter and band leader Abram Wilson returns with a septet featuring Jean Toussaint, Pete King and Winston Rollins. He celebrates the 2012 olympics with traditional folk songs in a jazz style.
Phantom Limb
Phantom Limb balance a perfect mix of astute musicality and songwriting ability with sensitive instrumental accompaniments. The band is fronted by singer Yolanda Quartey, who combines the best vocal elements of greats such as Aretha Franklin and Alison Krauss to deliver phenomenal folk-tinged, gospel influenced, country-blues vocals.
Hilde Marie Kjersem
This Norwegian singer and harpist performs jazz influenced pop music with a twist. Recently nominated for a Norwegian Grammy Award as Best Female Artist and Best Female Composer she invites the audience to a dramatic, beautiful, mysterious, intricate and quite simply fascinating musical ride.
Let's Let Go - Hilde Marie Kjersem
Chris Potter
American saxophonist Chris Potter leads a performance of his beautifully lyrical and expansive compositions from the 2007 album A Song For Anyone alongside a specially formed band featuring nine of the top young musical talents from Birmingham Conservatoire.
Dream tree extract - Chris Potter
TG Collective
An eclectic mix of flamenco, gypsy, contemporary classical and jazz influenced originals and arrangements.
Release The Penguins - TG Collective
Chris Mapp
A key member of Birmingham's thriving Jazz scene, performing a series of refreshing standards.
Alexander Stewart
With a voice somewhere between Georgie Fame and a young Michael Buble, Alexander Stewart has begun to create a buzz as one of the most talented vocalists of a new generation.
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