Jazz Festival is set to get Rye swinging this bank holiday

The Festival gets underway tonight at The George with headline act Anthony Strong.

Pianist and singer Anthony is one of the rising young stars of the UK jazz scene and there are still a few tickets remaining at £15.

The Legendary Ginger Baker and Jazz Confusion headline the festival on Saturday with a concert at Rye College.

Ginger Baker was the drummer with Cream and Blind Faith and will be playing a mix of Jazz fusion and African sounds with this trio.

There are still some tickets available priced at £22.00 but be quick.

The Herbie Flowers Jazz Breakfast on Sunday is already sold out.

The IDMC Gospel choir perform at St Mary’s Church in Rye on Sunday from 2.30pm. Tickets are £12.50, family and group discounts are available.

The enigmatic Earl Okin performs his one man show at the George in Rye on Sunday 7pm. Tickets are £10.

Earl will be playing jazz classics and Bossa Nova. Last year he was invited to give a concert of Bossa Nova in Brazil.

Local heroes The Jazz Caverners are at the Mermaid Inn from 7pm on Sunday playing their stomping Dixie style jazz. Tickets are £8 and there is a full bar and a special jazz menu on offer.

The festival unveiled a new event this week – an elegant evening of Cool Jazz, Champagne and Canapés on the terrace of the Rye Lodge Hotel on Sunday from 7pm. The event is presented by Kerry de Courcy on behalf of the International Confrerie du Sabre d’Or.

There will be live music performed by the Dave Barrett Jazz Trio who will be performing a wide selection of jazz standards from Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Rogers and Hart, Irving Berlin, Gershwin, Carlos Jobim, Cole Porter and more. Tickets, priced £15, inclusive of champagne and canapés. Call into the hotel to reserve your place or call directly on: 01797 223838.

Fringe events are taking place all over the town over the weekend with regional and local musicians playing on an outdoor stage at The Ypres Castle.

These concerts have been sponsored by the Jazz festival’s official beer partners, The Old Dairy Brewery, who have even brewed a new real ale beer for the festival called “BEBOP”.

The George in Rye plays host to three afternoon live music sessions in it’s courtyard. Saturday at 3pm is Tudo Bem, Brazilian funk Trio from Brighton; Sunday is Rod Pooley Trio from Eastbourne at 3pm and Monday the Phil Hudson Duo from Hastings at 4pm.

There will be free street entertainment that will create a vibrant and colourful atmosphere and will also include a Cuban/Latin marching band on Monday.

The historical Butter Market below Rye Town Hall is the setting for two semi acoustic music performances. Jack Blackman performs on Sunday at 1pm – 3pm; The Jamie Murray Trio performs on Monday at 1pm – 3pm.

Festival director Ian Bowden said: “It is all about having fun, relaxing, listening to great music and exploring the wonderful history and heritage of Rye.

“You can download a festival guide from the website or call into a venue in Rye and collect a guide. You can also purchase tickets through the festival website www.ryejaqzz.com or from CID Property on Cinque Port Street and Grammar School Records in Rye High Street and the Old Borough Arms at the bottom of Mermaid Street.

“We will be selling tickets on the door to some events, that’s if they haven’t already been sold out! See you at the festival.