Public Call-Out for Musicians to apply for Tony Dudley-Evans Commission for 2027 Cheltenham Jazz Festival

The Cheltenham Jazz Festival, renowned as a cornerstone event in the UK jazz calendar, has announced a public call for applications for its prestigious Tony Dudley-Evans Commission for the 2027 edition. This initiative offers a £5,000 commission to a UK jazz musician, encouraging the creation of innovative and original compositions to be showcased at the festival’s Parabola Arts Centre.

This opportunity builds upon the festival’s longstanding dedication to fostering new jazz works and supporting artist-driven projects. The Tony Dudley-Evans Commission, named after the influential figure who shaped the festival’s artistic direction for over two decades, has been a fixture at Cheltenham for the past three years. Tony Dudley-Evans, who was deeply involved with the festival from the mid-1990s and served as Artistic Director from 2002 until stepping away from his advisory role in 2023, has left a lasting imprint on the festival’s commitment to adventurous programming.

Previous recipients of the commission have included notable names such as Piera Onacko and Cassie Kinoshi in 2024, Olivia Murphy in 2025, and Yazz Ahmed in 2026. These artists were selected to develop bold, boundary-pushing pieces that aligned with the festival’s ethos of innovation and artistic risk-taking.

For the 2027 commission, the festival has expanded its approach by opening the application process to a wider pool of musicians across the UK, rather than selecting recipients by invitation or internal decision. This strategic change aims to broaden artistic horizons and encourage fresh voices to contribute to the festival’s evolving legacy.

Alex Carr, the Parabola Arts Centre Programmer, emphasized the commission’s role in nurturing creative ambition within the jazz community. He noted the importance of continuing to provide platforms where artists can experiment and present new ideas, particularly as the festival approaches its 30th anniversary milestone in 2026. The commission is poised to play a central role in the festival’s forward-looking vision, ensuring it remains a vital space for musical exploration.

Tony Dudley-Evans himself highlighted the essence of jazz as a genre driven by innovation and spontaneity. He expressed his approval for the commission’s continuation, underlining its significance in empowering musicians to embrace creative risks and develop work that challenges both themselves and their audiences.

The Cheltenham Jazz Festival’s Parabola Arts Centre has been the setting for many premiere performances and commissioned works, reinforcing its status as a hub for cutting-edge jazz. The 2027 commission represents a commitment to this tradition, inviting applicants to contribute to the festival’s reputation for showcasing compelling new music.

While the detailed application guidelines and deadlines were not extensively outlined in the initial announcement, interested musicians are encouraged to monitor official Cheltenham Jazz Festival communications for updates. This development signals the festival’s ongoing dedication to supporting the UK jazz scene through meaningful investment in artistic innovation.

As the Cheltenham Jazz Festival looks ahead to its landmark 30th anniversary and beyond, the Tony Dudley-Evans Commission stands as a testament to its enduring mission: to celebrate jazz as a living, evolving art form that thrives on originality and creative courage.