Stars from all corners of the globe will be appearing at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival which runs from May 2 - 7.

A broad-appealing mix of the best classic and contemporary jazz, soul, blues and pop, those taking part include singer-songwriter Van Morrison, Kamasi Washington, Randy Crawford, Donny McCaslin, Beth Hart, Rick Astley and Nigel Kennedy.

The line-up also includes multi-million-selling Corinne Bailey Rae, award-winning pop-jazz singer Caro Emerald and chart-topping Irish vocalist Imelda May.

Rick Astley will be exploring jazz and the Great American Songbook backed by the Ronnie Scott's Big Band and internationally revered food critic Jay Rayner fronts his much-lauded piano quartet.

This year will also see the festival's first curated concert series by DJ and broadcaster Gilles Peterson, which will feature shows from neo-soul frontrunner Jordan Rakei, MOBO and Jazz FM Award-winning drummer Moses Boyd's Exodus, and the hotly-tipped UK singer-songwriter Zara McFarlane.

Artistic Curator Jamie Cullum has once again selected some of his stand-out acts for the festival, with Mercury-nominated prog jazzers Dinosaur, cinematic nu-jazz outfit Portico Quartet, and the first ever UK performance from Christian McBride's Big Band among his top picks.

Other heavyweight names confirmed for the 6-day event are British jazz giant and multiple MOBO winner Courtney Pine's celebrated collaboration with soul singer Omar, legendary funk crew Tower of Power, Roller Trio with an exclusive set premiering new material and inimitable US jazz vocalist China Moses.

Long-standing festival partner BBC Radio 2 will host live onsite broadcasts across the weekend, including a Rollin' On The River themed Friday Night Is Music Night which will see the BBC Concert Orchestra and Guy Barker Big Band plus a host of acclaimed guest vocalists including Shaun Escoffery and Vanessa Haynes on a musical journey along the Mississippi River.

There will also be live broadcasts from Clare Teal and Jo Whiley, as well as from Cerys Matthews and Gilles Peterson on BBC Radio 6Music.

The 2018 Cheltenham Jazz Festival is hosted in a tented festival village in the town centre's picturesque Montpellier Gardens, featuring the Henry Westons Big Top stage, Jazz Arena, Free Stage, Yamaha Discovery Space, a programme of family activities and events and a food, drink and market area.

Tickets go on sale to members from February 28th and on general sale from March 7th.

www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/jazz.

Check out the full-line up here.