Acclaimed British soul singer Gabrielle is set to headline the 2025 Sidmouth International Jazz and Blues Festival.

The festival organisers have announced that the singer-songwriter will take centre stage on Saturday, May 24, at the festival’s main outdoor stage in Blackmore Gardens.

Gabrielle, known for her distinctive voice and emotional depth, first rose to fame in 1993 with her debut single Dreams, which topped the UK Singles Chart.

She has since produced a string of hits, including Going Nowhere, Give Me a Little More Time, Walk on By, Rise, and Out of Reach, the latter of which featured on the Bridget Jones’s Diary soundtrack.

At the 2025 festival, Gabrielle will perform a mix of her classic tracks and songs from her latest album, A Place in Your Heart.

Festival director Ian Bowden said: "Securing Gabrielle to perform at the 2025 festival is a major coup.

"We are always striving to raise the bar with each year, and Gabrielle’s performance will undoubtedly complete a fantastic, high-quality programme of headline acts."

The festival will kick off on Friday, May 23, with British music collective Soul II Soul, known for their hits Keep On Movin’ and Back To Life.

Gabrielle will perform on Saturday, May 24, followed by jazz singer and saxophonist Curtis Stigers on Sunday, May 25, and American blues legend Eric Bibb, who will close the festival on Monday, May 26.

Daytime performances on the main stage will run from Saturday, May 24, to Monday, May 26, featuring a mix of jazz, swing, blues, soul, funk, Latin, and Cuban music.

Confirmed acts include Nubiyan Twist, the James Taylor Quartet (JTQ), award-winning jazz guitarist Zayn Mohammed, and blues guitarist Laurence Jones, among others.

More acts will be announced in the coming months.

The festival will also feature free music at fringe venues and on the streets of Sidmouth, creating a New Orleans-style atmosphere in the town.

There are plans to present a series of educational music workshops and masterclasses, subject to funding.

Early bird festival tickets are selling fast, and the offer ends on November 30.

For tickets and more information, visit www.sidmouthjazz.com.