Cheltenham Jazz Festival 2020 reveals first names

The first names have been revealed for the Cheltenham Jazz Festival 2020 line-up – and there are some BIG ones...

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Artistic curator Gregory Porter will open Cheltenham Festival 2020.
Artistic curator Gregory Porter will open Cheltenham Festival 2020.

The Cheltenham Jazz Festival 2020 line-up will include a headline show with artistic curator Gregory Porter, who will open the Jazz Fest on Tuesday 5 May 2020, it has been announced today.

Described as ‘undeniably one of the best voices of our generation’ by Cheltenham Festivals, Gregory Porter has just revealed that he will release his sixth studio album All Rise on Decca Records/Blue Note in April 2020, with his Cheltenham concert launching his highly-anticipated UK tour.

American vocalist and composer Lizz Wright will be Gregory’s special guest during his Cheltenham show and she will also perform her own show at the Everyman Theatre on Friday 8 May 2020, featuring songs from her new album Grace.

‘Beat scientist’ Makaya McCraven is a drummer, producer and ‘sonic collagist’ who is described by event organisers as making a ‘big impact on Chicago’s cultural scene’. He is set to play the Jazz Arena on Bank Holiday Friday 8 May 2020.

Also playing the Jazz Arena on Friday 8 May 2020 is trumpeter Keyon Harrold, best known for his performances in Don Cheadle’s Miles Davis biopic Miles Ahead.

Further early names revealed for this year’s Cheltenham Jazz Festival are Gary Bartz & Maisha who will perform on Saturday 9 May 2020. The sax legend, Gary Bartz, is described as managing ‘to be both an elder statesman of jazz and at the forefront of a new wave’, backed by Maisha – the UK’s leading spiritual jazz outfit.

The full Cheltenham Jazz Festival 2020 line-up will be revealed on Friday 14 February 2020.

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