Long-time programmer of our well-respected PAC strand, Tony Dudley-Evans, retired last year - but will be returning to commission new works in 2024 and has been supporting Alexandria Carr - founder of Amplify Sounds and Contemporary Music Programmer at London's Southbank Centre - in programming for the strand.

In a series of blogs, he writes about some of his highlights of this year's PAC programme.

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As discussed in my previous post (see below) I intend to write short pieces about the bands appearing in the Parabola Arts Centre (PAC) as part of the 2024 Cheltenham Jazz Festival. Here I will write about the Sultan Stevenson Trio and Charlotte Keeffe’s Right Here, Right Now group.

Sultan Stevenson Trio (Friday 3rd May, 6.30pm)

I’m writing about this, the opening gig in the PAC programme, as it is selling very fast, and is likely to sell out before the festival. Buy now! It is very understandable that this act is selling so well; Sultan Stevenson is one of the most exciting young players to appear in recent years on the burgeoning UK jazz scene. His playing reminds me of the playing of McCoy Tyner, the great pianist who was a key member of the John Coltrane Quartet; it has the same drive and intensity. He also acknowledges influences from Kenny Kirkland, another driving and swinging pianist. There is also an influence from Herbie Hancock and Geri Allen. He writes great tunes for the trio which features Jacob Gryn on bass and Joel Waters on drums, and which has a really strong coherence in its playing. Have a listen here: https://sultanstevenson-whirlwind.bandcamp.com/album/faithful-one. The trio is joined on certain tracks by Denys Baptiste on saxophone and Josh Short on trumpet. Sultan also makes great hats (see photograph with Sultan wearing one of his creations) and I’m sure they will be on sale alongside his Cds.

Charlotte Keeffe Right Here, Right Now (Saturday 4th May, 1.30pm)

Charlotte Keeffe’s music is strikingly original. In her trumpet playing she explores every aspect of the range of the trumpet and its sounds, and as a composer she writes great tunes for her Right Here, Right Now quartet, comppositions which stand in their own right, but also create the context for great improvisations from the members of the quartet, Moss Freed on guitar, Ashley John Long on double bass and Ben Handysides on drums. Their music moves seamlessly from nicely structured ensemble passages to intricate collective improvisation; the interaction between Charlotte and Moss is partcularly strong and creates some intriguing soundscapes. This band with its mix of freedom and structure is without doubt one of those special Cheltenham Jazz festival bands that make the PAC programme the unique event that it is.

You can check out their music at https://charlottekeeffe.bandcamp.com/album/right-here-right-now

I should also mention that the Birmingham Conservatoire and Siena/Hamburg Exchange (Saturday 4th May at 11am) is also selling very fast. Book early!