Jazz Fest will be bigger and better next year

It follows the success of the four day festival in August which saw many concerts selling out and a strong line-up of free fringe events, including a street band.

Organiser Ian Bowden has pledged that next year’s event will be even bigger. He said: “We are beginning to plan our 2013 festival, which will take place from 22 to 26 of August.

“We are already in discussion with a range of potential headline artists.

“We would also like to expand many areas of the festival programme, including a range of new concepts that will add to the wow factor.

“We will be updating the existing festival website with further new information, a gallery and new features.

“Future events include a unique Art and Music project called “Harlem Days and Harlem Nights”.

“This project will feature an exhibition and talk on the work of painter and artist Edward Burra and his time and influences whilst living in Harlem during the Harlem Renaissance period of the 1920s and 1930s.

“The event will culminate in a live performance set in a nightclub atmosphere featuring some of the finest UK Jazz musicians and singers.

Rye’s very own Jazz Mardi Gras will also be part of our colourful programme and will bring additional vibrancy to the streets of Rye at the 2013 festival.

“There will be additional music workshops, late night sessions, street entertainment, acoustic sessions and the potential inclusion of art house music related cinema screenings to include archive footage of some of the greatest jazz musicians and performers of the last twentieth Century.

“I would like to thank everyone who embraced my vision of a Jazz Festival in the beautiful town of Rye. The positive feedback has been overwhelming.”