Cheltenham Jazz Festival has announced the first six artists on its line-up for 2024, with reggae royalty and award-winning singer-songwriters set to take to the stage at next year's event.
The first artists confirmed to headline the Big Top in 2024 are award-winning singer-songwriter Jack Savoretti; reggae royalty UB40; pioneering electronica band Morcheeba; Grammy winner Dee Dee Bridgewater; former Jazz Warrior Courtney Pine; and West African dance group Orchestra Baobab, who are performing a double-headline show alongside Afro jazz innovators, Nubiyan Twist.
Savoretti, who has performed at Cheltenham Jazz Festival just once before, said: 'Cheltenham Jazz Festival is one of those festivals you always want to play, our first show there was incredible and I look forward to returning next year.'
While Morcheeba's Skye Edwards praised the festival's diverse roster of artists, saying: 'We're looking forward to performing at Cheltenham. It has such a great reputation for having an eclectic mix of bands and genres. There’s a place for new talent alongside the established names which makes this a very vibrant festival for everyone!'
Cheltenham Festivals' co-CEO and head of programming for Cheltenham Jazz Festival, Ian George, added: 'This first release of tickets
for our exciting 2024 programme reflects the festival’s long-standing
commitment to celebrating the influences of jazz across all musical genres.
'We celebrate all the genres that have jazz in their DNA by bringing the best of contemporary UK, US and European jazz to our Festival Village and across the town of Cheltenham.
'The breadth of jazz’s influence is unique. From pop to soul, blues to world music, we are always so spoiled for fantastic musicians at Cheltenham. From orchestras and big bands to club sessions and late-night jams, the festival runs the gamut of the music — as this line-up proves!'
Tickets for these early announcement shows go on sale on Monday 27 November 2023, with the full Cheltenham Jazz Festival line-up due to be announced in February 2024.
