On Thursday 27th April I went to the Opening performance of Cheltenham's Jazz Festival 2000, which again was being opened by VAN MORRISON.

The line-up for the band was:-

• VAN MORRISON - Vocals / Harmonica
• ROBIN ASPLAND - Piano
• RICHIE BUCKLEY - Flute / Soprano, Tenor & Baritone Saxophones / Duet Vocals
• DAVID HAYES - Bass
• MATT HOLLAND - Trumpet / Flugelhorn / Backing Vocals
• BOBBY IRWIN - Drums / Percussion
• JOHNNY SCOTT - Guitars / Lead & Backing Vocals
• GERAINT WATKINS - Organ / Backing Vocals

I found the performance was musically as good as last year but was disappointed by the fact that the band seemed very disorganised in that they were using crib sheets and did not have the running order sorted out.

FULL SET LIST
Inarticulate Speech Of The Heart #1(*instrumental)
Sack O'Woe
New Symphony Sid(JS)
How Long Has This Been Going On
For Chet And Kenny(*JS)
Centerpiece
Outskirts Of Town
Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby
Dead Or Alive
See My Baby Tonight
Who Can I Turn To
Don't Worry About A Thing
Back On Top
When The Leaves Come Falling Down
I Believe To My Soul
Precious Time
The Healing Game
Bright Side of the Road

The best two songs of the night were "BACK ON TOP", and "I BELIEVE TO MY SOUL". I also enjoyed the opening number "INARTICULATE SPEECH OF THE HEART" which was an instrumental.