Summary
Following its 30th anniversary celebrations in 2026, Cheltenham Jazz Festival has today announced a new initiative to celebrate its legacy as one of the world’s leading Jazz Festivals, inviting jazz musicians across the UK to apply for a £5,000 commission and create bold, original work for its Parabola Arts Centre programme.
Details
The launch of the Tony Dudley-Evans Commission celebrates the Festival’s enduring commitment to championing emerging talent and its dedication to supporting adventurous music-making and new creative ideas.
For the first time in its 30-year history, the Festival is inviting UK-based artists to apply to perform as part of the commission, giving artists a unique opportunity to create original work for its distinctive and widely acclaimed Parabola Arts Centre programme.
The commission builds on a growing legacy of new music, with previous artists who have appeared on the PAC stage including Laura Jurd, Piera Onacko, Olivia Murphy and Yazz Ahmed. Led by PAC programmer and head of music at KOKO, Alex Carr, PAC has established a reputation for adventurous programming, providing artists with a space to explore bold ideas and push creative boundaries.
Alex Carr, Parabola Arts Centre programmer, said: “We’re thrilled to launch the Tony Dudley-Evans Commission. The initiative is a wonderful way to celebrate the legacy of adventurous programming at the PAC, while looking firmly to the future.
“As we build on 30 years of Cheltenham Jazz Festival, it’s vital that we continue to create opportunities for artists to take risks, explore new ideas and bring ambitious new music to life.
I’m excited to see what the next commission will inspire.” The successful applicant will receive £5,000 to develop and perform an original, one-hour piece of music, premiering at Parabola Arts Centre on Sunday, May 2, 2027, as part of Cheltenham Jazz Festival. Applications are open to UK-based musicians with at least three years of professional experience.
The deadline for submissions is midnight on Monday, November 16, 2026, with the successful artist notified by email by Monday, November 30, 2026. Tony Dudley-Evans said: “Supporting musicians to create new work has always been at the heart of what makes jazz so exciting.
Report source: Punchline Gloucester
