Busy Rye buzzing for top Jazz Festival

Now organiser Ian Bowden has pledged to make the Festival an annual event in Rye.

He said: “We are delighted with the fantastic support and feedback we have received. Every drew a packed crowd and the positive comments received via email, twitter and in person have been overwhelming. We would like to thank everyone who has attended the festival and made it a very special weekend. Rye was buzzing!”

Top acts like Ginger Baker and Anthony Strong played to packed sell-out audiences and despite a damp start on Saturday there was fun in the sun with packed open air gigs at the Ypres Castle and George Courtyard.

Mr Bowden said: “We are delighted to confirm that Rye International Jazz Festival 2013 will take place over the August Bank Holiday weekend next year.

“We look forward to building on the success, momentum and experience we have gained from the festival’s launch year. We are already in discussion with many great artists and bands and have plans in place to include a number of exciting new music and arts events within our diverse programme.

“We would like to thank our sponsors, Clive Emson Land and Property Auctioneers as our headline sponsor, The Old Borough Arms, VCA Consultancy, Consider it Done, The George in Rye, My Cost Cutter at Skinners of Rye, Buckswood School, Magnox, Domain Support, Valley Park, Stamco Building Supplies and E L Chandler Pianos as well as all the local businesses who kindly contributed to other areas of the festival programme.

“A special thank you goes to Red Carrot our website design partner who did a fantastic job on the festival website, our media partner the Rye and Battle Observer, Abbot Print and Adams of Rye who have supported all the festival publicity materials, the Old Dairy Brewery, our festival beer partners, and Clive Sawyer Photography. We will be adding a gallery of images from the 2012 festival soon.

As part of our on-going plans we will be launching a festival loyalty membership scheme, details of which will be announced on our website and sent to those who attended the festival.

“Plans are already in place to present a regular jazz series in the town, keep updated on all festival news at www.ryejazz.com . Don’t forget to follow us on facebook and twitter. We always welcome your feedback and ideas and would be delighted to hear from people who would like to get involved in the Rye International Jazz Festival, both performers and volunteers.