National Star learners add artistic pizazz to the Cheltenham Jazz Festival
Eight of our Creative Arts learners have created the iconic letters that spell out ‘JAZZ’ for the Cheltenham Jazz Festival.
Dominic Ellis, Morgan Jones, Molly Lane, Telma Belo, Beth Griffiths, Elliot Rumbold, Alex Joesbury-Clarke and Zahra Khan spent more than 20 hours on the project, which will become the centrepiece of Imperial Garden.
The letters are painted with the quintessential English summer scene with blue skies, bunting, butterflies and the rolling Cotswold hills. This is the first time that National Star has been involved with the Cheltenham Jazz Festival.
Ian George, Director of Cheltenham Jazz Festival, said: ‘We’re really pleased that our relationship with Star College continues to go from strength to strength’.
‘The JAZZ letters have become an iconic part of the Jazz Festival site and so we’re absolutely delighted that this vibrant artwork by the Star College will be such an integral feature of the Festival.’
Learner Morgan Jones, 19, said it was exciting to see his work on display in public: ‘It’s nice knowing that our work will be seen by the public,’ he said.
The Cheltenham Jazz Festival runs from 29 April – 4 May with a bold programme that features a variety of classic and contemporary jazz, blues, soul and pop from a string of top acts including million-selling singer-songwriter Rumer, Dutch superstar Caro Emerald, trailblazing producer Squarepusher, the queen of soul Martha Reeves, world-renowned DJ Gilles Peterson, and former Dr Feelgood guitarist Wilko Johnson.
The Frank Sinatra-themed ‘Friday Night Is Music Night’ featuring Kurt Elling, Clare Teal and Anthony Strong is a Festival must, as is an exclusive celebration of Gershwin music featuring Laura Mvula and Gregory Porter. Jamie Cullum returns as Guest Director and will perform with US jazz funk jam band Medeski, Martin & Wood.
Other acts include the mystical sounds of Sun Ra Arkestra, Lee Konitz’s new quintet featuring Dave Douglas, legendary drummer Tony Allen, and Joe Lovano’s Village Rhythms Band.
The full Festival line-up and tickets are available at: www.cheltenhamfestivals.com.
