Sneaky peak at Cheltenham Jazz Festival Happenings

Are you a jazzy type? If so, glue your eyes and read on for lots of exciting information about the 2010 Cheltenham Jazz Festival (runs from 28th April to 3rd May) - thanks to the festival peeps for the heads up!

• Jamie Cullum announced as Guest Director for 2010 Cheltenham Jazz Festival! For the first time the Cheltenham Jazz Festival will welcome a Guest Director. We are delighted that for 2010 this will be Jamie Cullum. The role will involve Jamie working with the team to create some truly special one off events - including international collaborations, club nights, showcasing the next big thing and of course playing a headline set himself. Having launched his career with performances at Cheltenham 2003 and 2004, Jamie returns to his favourite Festival following the launch of his new album this November.

• Guitar legend John Scofield will be playing a headline set at the Festival. 'Sco' has collaborated with some of the world's greatest performers, including Miles Davis, Chet Baker, Charles Mingus and Bill Frisell. A master of straight-ahead jazz, jam-band oriented grooves, soul-jazz, blues and funk, Sco's trademark is his soulful lyricism. This is your chance to see a masterful musician and jazz guitar icon at the top of his game!

• Two of the UK's finest live bands - Trio VD and Empirical - are set to entertain audiences in Cheltenham next year. Trio VD have rapidly made a name for themselves with their thrilling live performances. Producing some of the most progressive sounds anywhere in the country - encompassing contemporary electronica, alternative rock and improv - their late night Pillar Room gig at Cheltenham Jazz Festival promises to be an explosive performance. Firmly established as one of the UK's top young bands, Empirical will be making their much-deserved Cheltenham Jazz Festival debut in 2010.Creating absorbing and enriching compositions, they have received widespread critical acclaim for their "graceful...dramatic and subtle" performances (Jazzwise).