From its inception in 1996 to the establishment of a unique partnership with BBC Radio 2 in 2006, the Cheltenham Jazz Festival champions contemporary British and international jazz, delivering something new, exciting and different every year. For the past five years, the Cheltenham Jazz Festival has become well known and respected for its unique Jerwood Jazz Generation series (www.jerwoodjazzgeneration.org.uk) which provides a platform for the best young British musicians. Alongside this support for the new, the Festival also programmes a wide range of established names and additional strands, such as club jazz, concerts by school bands and free fringe events, ensuring that each Festival explores jazz in all its moods. 

Cheltenham Jazz Festival is part of Cheltenham Festivals which also promotes the renowned Music, Literature and Science Festivals which take place throughout the year.