FIRST NIGHT | JAZZ
Cheltenham Jazz Festival review — a big tent of excellence
Performances by Tony Hadley, Rufus Wainwright and Espen Eriksen’s piano trio brought joyous variety
Will Young performs at Cheltenham Jazz Festival 2023
STEVE THORNE/REDFERNS
★★★★☆
Just like the giant marquees erected in Montpellier Gardens, jazz music at this fine old festival is a big tent. A 24-hour dip into the six-day event offered a swinging Spandau Ballet veteran, baroque pop and Nordic excellence.
The besuited singer Tony Hadley was less New Romantic more Ol’ Blue Eyes: he offered period-faithful renditions of Fly Me to the Moon and The Lady is a Tramp plus a sprinkling of jazzed Spandau songs. If that sounds a little cruise-ship cabaret, then Hadley’s potent set of pipes and the polished backing of the Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra upped proceedings. For a pop idol reaching the bus pass years there are shabbier ways to go than partying like it’s 1959. One tip, as Hadley seemed
