IN an exciting new development for 2006, BBC Radio 2 is collaborating with this year's Cheltenham Jazz Festival.

The station will broadcast two concerts at the festival this spring which runs from Thursday, April 27 to Monday, May 1.

In a Radio 2 exclusive, the BBC Big Band will be joined by special guest Abdullah Ibrahim.

The combination of lively big band programming and Ibrahim's elegant fusion of jazz, gospel and South African music will make for an unmissable evening of original jazz.

The BBC Concert Orchestra will feature Clare Teal and Ian Shaw, both festival favourites, in a live broadcast of Friday Night is Music Night on April 28.

The jazz festival has become one of the most important dates at the start of the international jazz calendar.

Now in its eleventh year, it has consistently delivered an intriguing balance of jazz masters, acclaimed contemporary musicians and new rising stars.

The relationship with Radio 2 will provide an opportunity to promote Cheltenham's reputation as an internationally-renowned festival venue.

This follows in the path of the Cheltenham Literature Festival's successful relationship with The Times, which began last year.

Lewis Carnie, head of live music, events and talent at Radio 2 said: "We are delighted to be collaborating with one of the most vibrant jazz festivals in Europe and this year's programme builds on Cheltenham's reputation for bringing together jazz legends, new music and the stars of tomorrow."

Radio 2 is the country's largest radio station and this partnership heralds a promising new era for the festival.

As the most listened to station, Radio 2 combines popular music and culture with a diverse range of specialist music, features, documentaries, light entertainment and readings.