10 essential classical and jazz shows to book tickets for this summer

Ivan Hewett
Jess Gillam will be performing at the Snape Proms in Suffolk in August
Jess Gillam will be performing at the Snape Proms in Suffolk in August

From Chick Corea to Nicola Benedetti, our critic picks 10 unmissable concerts for July and August

Innervisions Festival

A musical feast with soul icon Mavis Staples, irresistible funk saxophonist Maceo Parker, hip-hop influenced pianist Robert Glasper and the great Van Morrison.

Roundhouse, London W1 (0300 678 9222), from July 3 to 7

Cheltenham Music Festival

Cheltenham’s new artistic director and star trumpeter Alison Balsom is one attraction, along with Scottish violinist Nicola Benedetti, soprano Danielle de Niese and the Wynton Marsalis Quartet.

Various venues, Cheltenham (01242 850270), from July 5 to 14

Angélique Kidjo will be one of the stars of this summer's Proms
Angélique Kidjo will be one of the stars of this summer's Proms

Love Supreme

With more than 100 acts including Chick Corea, Gladys Knight, Lauryn Hill and Jamie Cullum, spread over three marquee stages set in the rolling East Sussex Downs, Love Supreme promises to be the most spectacular jazz festival in the country.

Glynde Place BN8 (lovesupremefestival.com), from July 5 to 7

York Early Music Festival

This year’s festival offers British ensemble I Fagiolini’s brilliantly offbeat production of the first real opera, Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo, and Florilegium performing Bach.

Various venues, York (01904 658338), from July 5 to 13

BBC Proms

This year’s Proms feature two new venues, a huge “environmental” work, world music star Angélique Kidjo and a history of classical music in eight concerts.

Various venues (020 7070 4441), from July 19 to Sept 14

Three Choirs Festival

Britain’s oldest music festival commemorates the 150th anniversary of the death of Berlioz with his wildly original Damnation of Faust, plus choral-and-orchestral blockbusters including the UK premiere of Mendelssohn’s arrangement of Handel’s Israel in Egypt.

Various venues, Gloucester (01452 768928), from July 26 to Aug 3

Nicola Benedetti will be at the Cheltenham Music Festival in July and the Snape Proms in August
Nicola Benedetti will be at the Cheltenham Music Festival in July and the Snape Proms in August

Dartington Festival

At this wonderful summer-school-cum-festival you can drop in on masterclasses by top-ranking musicians during the day, and in the evening hear everything from Renaissance choral music to 85th birthday celebrations for Harrison Birtwistle.

Dartington Hall, Devon (01803 847080), from July 27 to Aug 24

Snape Proms

Top-rank artists head to East Anglia’s best concert hall, including Nicola Benedetti, Jess Gillam and jazz star Pee Wee Ellis.

Snape Maltings, Suffolk (01728 687110), from Aug 1 to 31

Edinburgh International Festival

EIF’s 60th birthday tribute to composer James MacMillan includes his new symphony inspired by the Holy Spirit.

Various venues, Edinburgh (0131 4732065), from Aug 2 to 26

Ronnie Scott’s International Piano Trio Festival

This six-day exploration of jazz’s central genre offers the cream of European trios: Trio Elf from Germany, the subversive Dutch group Tin Men and the Telephone, and Norway’s Tord Gustavsen Trio.

Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, London W1 (020 7439 0747), from Aug 21 to 26