ROBERTA Flack will headline Cheltenham Jazz Festival over the May Bank Holiday weekend, joining an already stellar line-up that includes Jamie Cullum, Laura, Mvula and Robert Cray.

Roberta’s gig will be her first in the UK since 2006 and she’ll draw on an incredible back catalogue of music, including massive radio and chart hits such as 'First Time Ever I Saw Your Face', 'Killing Me Softly With His Song' and 'Feel Like Making Love'.

Widely considered to be one of the preeminent vocalists of her generation, Roberta has received worldwide critical acclaim for her singing and peerless musicianship and is an exciting addition to the Festival's programme.

Roberta will perform in the Festival’s Big Top on Saturday, May 4 at 9pm. Saturday’s other acts include BBC Sound of 2014 star Nick Mulvey, the Kurt Elling Quartet, Mali tribesmen Tinariwen, the Festival’s Speakeasy, and a Giles Peterson club night with Snarky Puppy.

Also announced is a second Jamie Cullum concert, with 11 piece big band, in the Festival Big Top on Wednesday, April 30. Jamie’s first gig (at 9pm on the same day) has already sold out.

Jamie, who returns as Guest Director, will be preforming the world-premiere of his brand new album as well as his earlier hits.

Ian George, Festival Director, said:

“That Roberta Flack is flying over from America to perform at Cheltenham Jazz Festival is a real coup for the town. We always try to programme global megastars and anyone who went to last year’s Dionne Warwick gig can testify how incredible it is to hear such a legend performing in the Festival’s own Big Top. Roberta’s show will bring even more star quality to an already stellar line-up.

“We always felt that Jamie Cullum’s concert was going to be a sell-out performance and so now to be able to offer a second concert is fantastic. Jamie loves coming to Cheltenham and that there is enough demand for him to perform back to back gigs is a wonderful indication that Cheltenham loves him right back.”

The 2014 Cheltenham Jazz Festival takes place from Wednesday, April 30 to Monday, May 5 and is hosted in a tented festival village in Cheltenham’s Montpellier Gardens.

Tickets for both Roberta Flack and Jamie Cullum are now available from £30 at cheltenhamfestivals.com or on 0844 880 8094.