Jazz Festival promises tobring Rye to life in August

Last year’s Festival proved to be a huge success with many concerts selling out.

Organiser Ian Bowden is promising an even bigger event this year with a New Orleans style street carnival and more live music at venues throughout the town.

He said: “this year’s festival will feature a wide selection of outstanding live headline concerts and a variety of fantastic live performances that will take place throughout the festival August bank holiday weekend.

“Opening the festival this year is Theo Jackson and his trio who will be performing at the George in Rye on Friday 23, sponsored by CID Property in Rye.

“Theo is a rising star on the UK and European Jazz circuit and has received critical acclaim from the likes of Jamie Cullum and sold out the Cheltenham jazz festival within 24 hours.

“Making a special journey from Paris, Kyle Eastwood and his band headline the festival at the Rye College Theatre on Saturday 24. Kyle has toured all over the world performing at all of the biggest international jazz festivals and regularly performs at famous jazz clubs in New York, Tokyo and London.

“A virtuoso bassist on electric and upright as well as a talented composer with a keen ear for great tunes as well as the subtleties of modern jazz, he is right at the forefront of the contemporary scene and has recently released his much acclaimed new album ‘The View From Here’.

“This will be a fabulous concert and highlight event of the festival.”

Herbie Flowers is back by popular demand with his Jazz Breakfast on Sunday 25 at the George in Rye where he will be performing ‘A Tribute to Stephane Grappelli and Django Reinhardt. The event sold out last year.

The festival programme also features many free performances, including semi acoustic music sessions numerous street performances and fringe events that will take place at local venues in and around Rye.

A Mardi Gras Street Parade has been sponsored by Wilmoths and Ward Homes and will involve students from the Rye College and local community groups from Rye, Camber and the surrounding region.It will include music, dance and costume.

Rye Film Club are showing a cinematic screening of Bird, the highly acclaimed biographical film about the life of the saxophonist Charlie Bird which was directed and produced by Clint Eastwood.

Aspecial drum, bass fusion masterclass will also take place over the festival weekend and features world class drummers Ralph Salminsand Jamie Murray.

For more information about the festival and to book tickets go online to www.ryejazz.com you can book on line or please call our box office number which is: 01892 661906.