Music: Love Supreme

Jeff Hemmings on jazz legends and vintage soul

Back after its inaugural launch last year, Love Supreme is billed as Britain’s only major greenfield jazz festival, although this is jazz in the loosest sense of the word, with acts ranging from De La Soul to Imelda May due to perform over the five stages. Situated in the picturesque setting of Glynde Place, just a couple of miles outside Lewes, last year’s event was certainly helped by brilliant sunshine and the inclusion of Chic on the bill who, having floored Glastonbury the previous month with perhaps the performance of the festival, did the same at Love Supreme – a performance that was literally jam-packed full of classic songs and hits.

Headlining the Sunday, daisy-age hip-hoppers De La Soul bring along a ten-piece band, while the brilliant pianist Jamie Cullum headlines the Friday night. Also on the main stage you can see vintage soul funkers Incognito, Soul II Soul, UK jazzer Courtney Pine, Brighton’s very own soul diva Alice Russell, and the Mercury Music Prize-nominated Laura Mvula.

The Big Top has more of a true jazz flavour, and here you can see the likes of John Schofield Uberjam, Dave Holland’s Prism, Lalah Hathaway, Gregory Porter, the Christian Mcbride Trio and Curtis Stigers.

Over at The Arena stage there’s an eclectic line-up of alternative and cutting-edge acts such as Polar Bear, Hidden Orchestra, Melt Yourself Down and The Computers. And Brighton’s The Verdict Jazz Club are once again curating the Bandstand stage.

A new stage for 2014 is the Matua Sessions, curated by Jazz FM Live and Vintage Remix on the Saturday and Jazz FM’s Blues & Boogie on the Sunday, plus a classic album playback on each day. Late-night club nights are brought to you by Jazz FM on the Friday, Brighton’s Tru Thoughts label on the Saturday (celebrating their 15th birthday) and the Jazz Rooms Soundsystem on the Sunday, led by British jazz-dancer legend and
Brighton resident Russ Dewbury.

Various ticket packages are available, including day tickets, weekend tickets, glamping and VIP options, and family tickets.

4-6 July, Glynde Place. For more information visit the website: www.lovesupremefestival.com