The Best Jazz Festivals To Book For 2024
By
3 years ago
Jazzy festivals to visit this summer
Whether you’re a die-hard jazz fan or merely looking to appreciate good music in beautiful surroundings, there are plenty of jazz festivals to quench your thirst. Here are our favourites, from the UK and beyond.
The Best Jazz Festivals To Book For 2024
Cheltenham Jazz Festival
When? 1–6 May 2024
Where? Montpellier Gardens, Cheltenham
What? One of Europe’s largest jazz festivals will return to Cheltenham next spring. The 2023 edition features world premieres, new commissions, exclusive collaborations and one-off shows alongside a series of free performances at venues across the pretty town centre. Superstar vocalist Gregory Porter was the Artistic Curator for 2023, handpicking a selection of artists to perform alongside his own headline show, including Damian Lewis, Laura Mvula, Gregory Porter, Will Young, MIKA, Squeeze, Tony Hadley, Van Morrison and Rufus Wainwright.
BOOK IT: cheltenhamfestivals.com
Iford Manor Jazz Festival
When? TBC (2023’s edition took place from 29 June–2 July)
Where? Bradford-on-Avon
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What? Iford Manor is a lovely, historic venue with a fledgling jazz festival launched just a few years ago. Curated by multi-award-winning jazz vocalist Claire Martin OBE, the programme is filled with acclaimed jazz artists from all over the world alongside rising stars. Listen to Ray Gelato and The Giants while tucking into a whole host of food and drink offerings including a champagne bar and an open fire Argentinian asado.
BOOK IT: ifordmanor.co.uk
Love Supreme Jazz Festival
Where? Glynde Place, East Sussex
When? 5–7 July 2024
What? Venture to East Sussex’s beautiful Glynde Place next summer for the 11th edition of the Love Supreme Music Festival. In 2023, the 10th edition was the biggest line-up to date, and was the UK’s only major music festival for 2023 with an all-women headliner bill. Grace Jones, Little Simz, Candi Staton, Emeli Sande, Shalamar, Courtney Pine and many more performed, alongside a wellness and yoga area, organised hill walks across the South Downs, talks and panels, film screenings, and DJs late into the night. Stay tune for all the 2024 details.
BOOK IT: lovesupremefestival.com
North Sea Jazz Festival
Where? Rotterdam, the Netherlands
When? 12–14 July 2024
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What? A hub for music fans and professionals alike, Rotterdam’s North Sea Jazz Festival features workshops, panels and exhibitions alongside over 1,000 artists spanning jazz, blues, soul and funk. Established in 1976, the 2023 edition featured Stormzy, Tom Jones, Janelle Monae, Seal and Lizzo, among many more.
BOOK IT: northseajazz.com
Umbria Jazz
Where? Perugia, Italy
When? 12–21 July 2024
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What? Founded in 1973 by Italian music producer Carlo Pagnotta, Umbria Jazz celebrated 50 years in 2023. With blues, soul and Latin music alongside jazz, enjoy established artists and newcomers in the stunning surroundings of Perugia next summer. With a key focus on sustainability, opportunities for emerging artists to learn more, and plenty for little ones to get up to, too, this is a truly wholesome jazz festival.
BOOK IT: umbriajazz.it
Sani Festival
Where? Sani Hill, Kassandra, Greece
When? TBC (2023’s edition took place from 15 July–26 August)
What? Jazz in sunny Greece? Sounds ideal. This festival is as kind on the eyes as it is the ears: situated on Sani Hill, where the sea, sky and greenery all meet against the dramatic backdrop of the ruined Byzantine tower and the Aegean Sea. Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2023, what started as a small jazz festival has transformed into one of the country’s foremost cultural institutions. Making the most of warm summer nights, Sani Festival was headlined by Andrea Bocelli in 2023, with the line-up incorporating rock and pop into the itinerary for the first time. Tom Odell, Bonnie Tyler, Sarah Brightman, Chucho Valdés, Paquito D’Rivera, Al Di Meola, Jack Savoretti, and Bob Geldof all performed, as well as a plethora of Greek legends.
BOOK IT: sani-resort.com
Jazz in Marciac
Where? Marciac, France
When? TBC (2023’s edition took place from 20 July–6 August)
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What? This small-town jazz festival draws local and international jazz musicians to southwestern France for two weeks of escapism. Famously relaxed and welcoming, expect workshops, masterclasses and exhibitions alongside performances from the likes of Norah Jones, Samara Joy and Gregory Porter.
BOOK IT: jazzinmarciac.com
We Out Here
Where? Wimborne St Giles, Dorset
When? 15–18 August 2024
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What? Having moved to a new home for 2023 – from Abbots Ripton, Cambridge to Dorset – We Out Here is billed as a jazz festival ‘for everyone’, the brainchild of British DJ Giles Peterson. The inaugural 2019 festival was an instant success, with a stellar line-up spanning not just jazz but house, disco, soul, drum ‘n’ bass and more. In 2023, Ezra Collective, Knucks, Nia Archives and Róisín Murphy all performed. Elsewhere you’ll find ‘The Escape’, which hosts mindfulness workshops, yoga and art therapy, a wild swimming lake, plenty of cultural offerings and excellent food.
BOOK IT: weoutherefestival.com
Flow Festival
Where? Helsinki, Finland
When? 9–11 August 2024
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What? Founded in 2004 as a small jazz and soul event, Flow Festival has grown into a key player on the European music festival scene. Wizkid, Blur and FKA Twigs all performed in summer 2023, alongside a cultural programme of talks and art. Flow has impressive eco-credits too, being one of the world’s first carbon-neutral festivals.
BOOK IT: flowfestival.com
Green Room
Where? Lenham, Kent
When? TBC (2023’s edition took place from 1–3 September)
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What? Set in a medieval barn in the countryside village of Lenham, this brand new festival brought world-class musicians to intimate and unusual spaces to give audiences authentic performance experiences. The Pasedena Roof Orchestra opened the inaugural festival on Friday 1 September 2023, with classical performances on Saturday from world-renowned performers, and swing from jazz vocalist Clare Teal with The Clare Teal Four on Sunday. All enjoyed with a local glass of wine from Balfour Winery, or beer or cider from Jake’s Drinks.
BOOK IT: greenroomconcerts.com
Featured image: Love Supreme Jazz Festival
