Ian, Vicki and Kate, the directors of the festival, and their team who support them throughout the year and for the four days of the festival, affectionately known as “family”, pulled off the most amazing event this year.
The streets were buzzing, the music was amazing. The stewards were out with collecting buckets to raise the necessary funds for the music at the community stage to remain free. Duncan was the compere on the outdoor stage and came up with a wonderful idea to raise the funds. He set up an auction for the Violet Jive to sing their popular rendition of the Jungle Book. He cajoled the punters and raised £200 engaging with the audience and making it so much fun.
It was wonderful to see the mayor, Cllr Andy Stuart, appearing on the stage of St Mary’s on Friday night and thanking Ian and his team and all the people in the audience for supporting the festival so well. He said that Rye was proud of its jazz festival and how the town was buzzing with people and the restaurants and hotels were full. What a difference it makes to the local economy. He also appeared on Saturday on the Kino stage and thanked everyone again.
Also on stage with her donation bucket was Niki Stuart, the director of the charity the Music Well which has gone from strength to strength and offers music therapy to many and literally changes people lives – https://themusicwell.org.uk/
One of the new popular additions to the festival was the “You’ve been framed” frame showing that the punters were getting jazzy in Rye. To see some of the happy faces look at the gallery below.
There were so many great acts on the stage at the Kino this year with many acts paying a return visit. Acantha Lang and the Violet Jive were two of the Monday acts who engaged brilliantly with their audiences and left them wanting more.
Everyone had their favourites acts and they all were marvellous and even when it rained the crowds came and supported the groups.
The George ran a competition and Bianca Masters won it, she explains: “I entered the George’s Instagram competition a few weeks ago. Myself and my wife love the hotel and frequently enter their competitions. I was thrilled to find out that I had won a lovely three course meal and two tickets to see Mica Millar on Sunday evening. Both the meal and the concert were fantastic, we had a wonderful time.
We feel so grateful to have won such a generous prize and to have such an exceptional hotel in our hometown.”
Ian and his team work tirelessly throughout the year and especially during the festival. They have a wonderful band of volunteers so a big shout out to all who made this festival as awesome as ever.
Here’s to 2025 which is already being planned.
Image Credits: Kt bruce .
It was a marvellous event and the quality of performers was outstanding. Thank you Ian and team for keeping Jazz alive.
Outstanding as usual, what a huge asset for Rye. Thanks Ian for the effort you, your team and all the volunteers put in to making this such a great event.