Five-time Grammy award-winner Robert Cray and renowned DJ Gilles Peterson are among the first names confirmed by Cheltenham for its 2014 Jazz Festival.
The band Loose Tubes will also reunite for the first time in 24 years at Cheltenham, to the delight of keen jazz fans around the world.

The full festival line-up will be announced in the new year, but organisers say 2014 looks set to be the biggest and best year yet.
Jazz Festival director Ian George said: “I’m delighted to confirm that the multi Grammy award-winning Robert Cray and world-famous DJ Gilles Peterson will both be at the Jazz Festival next May. That Loose Tubes have chosen to perform their reunion gig at Cheltenham is also a real coup for the festival.

“Programming for the 2014 Festival is well under way. 2014 will see the return of the popular club nights and we already have some very big names scheduled to appear in the Big Top. The free stage will also return, giving local artists a chance to perform in front of a hugely appreciative jazz crowd, and we will be launching a new talent search for an emerging jazz artist.”
American Blues guitarist and singer Robert Cray has sold millions of records worldwide with his own band, as well as playing alongside greats such as Eric Clapton and John Lee Hooker.
Gilles Peterson is known as a DJ, broadcaster, producer, compiler, label boss and record collector. He currently has a show on BBC6 Music and is a top-billed DJ at festivals and clubs around the world.
Loose Tubes were the first ever jazz orchestra to play the BBC Proms and dedicated jazz fans around the globe have been eagerly hoping for this reunion.
The 2014 Cheltenham Jazz Festival takes place from April 30 to May 5 and is hosted in a tented festival village in Cheltenham’s Montpellier Gardens, featuring a Big Top stage, the Jazz Arena, and a food, drink and market area.

Article Source: thisissomerset.co.uk