Thomas Morgan and Bill Frisell Publicity picture

Peter Bacon writes:

There are more names added to the programme for this year’s Cheltenham Jazz Festival (2-7 May 2018).

In this second tranche (that seems to the be the word of choice on occasions such as this) are Bill Frisell with Thomas Morgan, the Andy Sheppard Quartet, drummer Jim Black, and the Roller Trio. There is also violinist Nigel Kennedy.

The collaboration between guitarist Bill Frisell and double bassist Thomas Morgan which led to last year’s Small Town album on ECM (reviewed) and a number of dates on that side of the Atlantic drew enthusiastic reviews so it is bound to generate interest for their first UK performance.

Andy Sheppard’s band with guitarist Eivind Aarset, double bassist Michel Benita and drummer Seb Rochford has developed a strong rapport and toured here before. Their new ECM album Romaria is out on 16 February.

Roller Trio have a new line-up which includes guitarist Chris Sharkey, and the band will be playing music from a forthcoming album. Drummer Jim Black will be bringing his Malamute project, which has attracted a “future jazz” accolade from The Wire magazine, to the festival. All these events are added to the Saturday 5 May line-up and I guess will be in the smaller marquee or in the excellent Parabola Theatre.

Nigel Kennedy and his Polish band will be turning their attentions to the music of Jimi Hendrix. This event is in Cheltenham Town Hall on Thursday 3 May.

These names join the already-announced Donny McCaslin, Kamasi Washington, Beth Hart, Randy Crawford, Christian McBride’s Big Band, Jason Moran, and Dinosaur.

The full 2018 Cheltenham Jazz Festival line-up will be announced in February. Tickets for Randy Crawford, Beth Hart, Kamasi Washington and Christian McBride are on sale now, and available from www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/jazz.