JAZZ superstar, Jamie Cullum, has been announced as the guest director for this year’s Cheltenham Jazz Festival which takes place later this month.

Having launched his career with performances at Cheltenham in 2003 and 2004, Jamie returns to his favourite festival following the launch of his latest album, The Pursuit.

The role will involve him working alongside organisers to create some special one-off events including international collaborations, club nights, showcasing the next big thing and playing a headline set himself.

The festival’s artistic director, Tony Dudley-Evans, said: “The team will be working with Jamie to programme a number of events and of course he will be appearing with his own band.

“We share very similar tastes and already jamie has come up with some great ideas.”

The Cheltenham Jazz Festival, from April 28 to May 3, will also feature Elaine Page who is set to light up the Town Hall stage with a celebration of her love of classic jazz.

Guitar legend, John Scofield, will play a headline set over the Bank Holiday Weekend at the beginning of May.

Having collaborated with some of the world’s greatest performers including Miles Davis, Chet Baker, Charles Mingus and others, Scofield is a masterful jazz improviser not to be missed.

The finest young british and international talent will be showcased in the popular Pillar Room programme. This will include trioVD, Troyka, Empirical, Liam Noble and Christine Tobin, the FLY Trio and Tom Cawley.

Festival organisers are promising one of the best festival experiences ever this year as the action is set to branch out into the town’s Imperial Gardens with Jazz on the Square with a new 650 seat arena.

For the latest festival news, including the complete line-up, visit cheltenhamfestivals.com or call 0844 576 7979.