All that Jazz

28th April 2017

#Jazz100 –Jazz century hits our streets with plenty of free events
By Jennifer May West

Bring out the trumpets!  The Jazz fest is finally here in Cheltenham. Marking their centenary in style, 2017 celebrates 100 years since the first Jazz record sale - it’s definitely a time for dancing in the street. Bringing the bloc party vibe, it feels like summer has landed. Strings, percussion and of course plenty of brass will certainly strike a chord with the community through uniting with artists. It’s time to bring everyone together on a high note for picnics and parties where the biggest treats are the beats. With over 90 pop-up free performances in the streets and local venues, it’s our very own home-town glory.

Be on-beat with events and check www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/jazz for more information.

Here is your very own set-list and taster for some of our free Jazz fest street events:

10.30pm Hotel Du Vin
Late night Jam Sessions (throughout festival)
Unwind in a smooth setting that brings just as much buzz to jazz as La La Land. Taking place on most evenings throughout the festival are late night Jam sessions that allows you to continue your party whilst captivating you in a whirlwind of Bebops and blues; telling stories from the heart of Jazz

FRIDAY 28 APRIL

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8pm Clarence Social
Ella Julian
Songstress Ella put her Jazz FM talents into practice as she performs Philadelphia inspired Soul mixed with Bristol Jazz flavours, creating a cool jazz lounge experience.

8pm Cosy Club
Chris Read Trio
Chris Read leads with a soulful voice and honest songwriting. Complexity meets solid groove to equal a mix of original music with a modern twist.

10pm–late Bottle of Sauce
The Original Rabbit Foot Spasm Band + DJ Set
Welcome back to the Roaring 20s and 30s where prohibition rules thanks to Rabbit Foot’s upbeat late night mix of jump jive, swing and blues!

SATURDAY 29 APRIL

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10.30am–1pm Free Stage
Jazz It Up: Schools
For pure energy, exuberance and excellence, look no further – this is where it’s at. Come early to bag your seat to hear the best of Gloucestershire’s school big bands.

1–1.45pm Cambray Place Stage
Built for Comfort
With 12 years of performance in guised under their belt, Built for Comfort take no prisoners as they offer up hot Chicago rhythm and blues.

4–4.45pm Cambray Place Stage
Upbeat Sneakers
As living, skanking proof dance music doesn’t have to bleep, Upbeat Sneakers bring you a new generation of ska. With brand new, original tunes and an appetite for fun, this is a young, fresh approach to upbeat.

4–5pm Free Stage
Special Festival Guests!
A pop-up mystery artist from the main programme so grab a seat for this extra special surprise!

5.15–6.15pm Free Stage
Rumblestrutters
Bringing the Prohibition era to the party, the Swansea-based acoustic three-piece vividly evoke the blues, jazz and jug band music of the 1920s.

8pm  Bottle and Sauce
Various New Orleans House Party
With a host of pop-up performances throughout the day and some great New Orleans swing and big brass sounds in the evening from, come join the party at BoS!

9–10pm Free Stage
Thrill Collins
Festival favourites are at it again. True to their name Thrill Collins return to rearrange pop songs with their three-piece acoustic skife party band. Prepare to be entertained through energy.

SUNDAY 30 APRIL

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1–1.45pm The Brewery Quarter
The Strays
With their eclectic musical influences, The Strays are a raucous Neo-Rock n Roll trio that combine pop, rock, country and blues, with rockabilly riffs and driving beats.

1–1.45pm Cambray Place Stage
Pocket Dragon
It’s the five-piece that loves to groove! Bridging neo-soul with fusion funk, this DIY group, they’ll be performing music from their recently released EP ‘Borderless’.

2–3pm Free Stage
Olly Chalk Trio
Three of Birmingham’s most forward-thinking and engaging improvisers, the Olly Chalk Trio are a vastly creative new outfit. Olly’s intricate writing is deeply personal, bold and emotive and his forthcoming album ‘The Precipice’ addresses some challenging themes.

2–2.45pm Cambray Place Stage
LEONN
A fantastic showman with organic soul and funk to his sound, his performance will always captivate his audience. Joined by an all-star band lineup, welcome a high energy show full of great original songs and incredible musicianship.

4.30pm–5.30pm Free Stage
Namiwa
With West Midland origins Namiwa Jazz is a 22 year old singer-songwriter who speaks her truth, with a fearless lyrical approach to subjects that mean a lot to her, coining the self-proclaimed genre; Afro-Twang as she blends Nu-soul, African Jazz, Hip-Hop and R&B together.

6–6.45pm The Brewery Quarter
Goosebumps
A unique blend of retro swing, vintage jump blues, cool jazz, classic rock n roll with a dash of optional soul and funk thrown in for good measure that’s bound to get you on your feet!

9.15–10.15pm Free Stage
DJ Gail
Taking it back to the Old Skool; comes a DJ who loves to mix it up, playing a variety of soulful genres since the 90s.

MONDAY 1st MAY

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10.30am–1pm Free Stage
Jazz It Up: Gloucestershire Live
A dazzling showcase from youth and adult jazz ensembles from across the county, featuring special guest Guy Barker.

1.45–2.45pm Free Stage
Stroud Jazz Sessions All Star Showcase
A showcase of Gloucestershire’s long-standing and energetic-frenetic jazz hub, this performance gives you a flavour of what it’s all about, with the best musicians from Stroud’s regular sessions.

5.30–6.30pm Free Stage
LUCINDA
This Neo-Soul Birmingham-based band with jazz influences are led by vocalist Lucinda Fosker, and are here to perform following their October 2016 debut album release ‘Walking Blind’.

6.45–7.45pm Free Stage
LVNA
Taking influence from the likes of Lianne La Havas, Little Dragon and D’Angelo, the female four-piece London based LVNA bring their sleepy lullabies and soulful sounds to Cheltenham.

For more information visit: www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/jazz