Additional events have been added to the exciting August Rye Jazz and Blues Festival programme with a ‘not to be missed’ opening launch night The Funky Friday, on Friday August 24 taking place at the outdoor performance stage at the Kino Cinema in Rye.
This is a free event as are many performances taking place on the outdoor music stage during the festival weekend and live music starts on Friday August 24 from 6pm with a complimentary drink on arrival between 6pm and 7pm.
A dynamic performance from the acclaimed Dom Pipkin and the Ikos with their cool funky blend of New Orleans Jazz, Blues and Funky grooves which are guaranteed to get into the party mood and take you to your happy place!
Iain Rae’s Jazz Funk outfit Hardlines perform after Dom Pipkin and we are incredibly pleased to welcome one of the coolest and funkiest bands performing on the live-music circuit today.
Hardlines are a band of seasoned top professional musicians most of whom have performed and recorded with some of the biggest names in the music business with the likes of Lisa Stansfield, Swing Out Sister, The Bee Gees, Steve Winwood, James Taylor Quartet, Wilko Johnson and many others… who haven’t these guys worked with is the question!
Newly announced festival events include a Jazz Brunch at the Gallivant in Camber with the legendary Bass player Herbie Flowers. Herbie and his wonderful group of talented musicians are set to entertain you with a packed programme of fantastic music, witty anecdotes and stories from his fascinating life in the music business.
You’ll be spoilt for choice refreshment-wise as your ticket includes an à la carte breakfast, Tea Pig teas and fresh coffee and a complimentary glass of English sparkling wine. There is no better way of relaxing and chilling out with a hearty serving of jazz breakfast on the August bank holiday Monday.
The festival is delighted to confirm a very cool Latin vibe pop-up with the Women’s International Cigar Club which takes place on the terrace at the Rye Lodge Hotel on Sunday August 26 at 3:30pm and on Monday August 27 at 12 noon.
Join WiCC founder Sarah Saunders on Sunday and Monday for an afternoon of Cuban and Latin music with world class musicians, cocktails, tutored cigar smoke, premium rum tastings, authentic food and space to meet old and new friends.
Sip a Rusty Cadillac rum cocktail (created by Havana Club specially for WiCC), enjoy the Havana Club Premium rum tasting, world-class Latin music, a tutored cigar smoke with WiCC Founder Sarah Saunders (and Davidoff’s Roy Sommer on Sunday), and tasty Cuban food to enjoy in the sunshine fro
m Taste Adventures. Meet people, listen to great music and enjoy stories of cigar aficionados including Hemingway and Churchill.
Jazz Nights proudly present a number of exceptional and intimate live ticketed and free music events at the Tudor Room from Thursday 23, Sunday 26 and Monday 27 August at the world famous Mermaid Inn and at the Rye Cricket Club as part of this year’s exciting 2018 festival programme.
Performances include the cream of British jazz talent with harmonica player Adam Glasser, jazz supremo Earl Okin, bassist Dave Silk and the Jazz Nights Ensemble, revered multi-instrumentalist Phil Brown, singers Jacci Norris, Sue Smith, Paul Wood, Barry Vegas and Vegas and pianist Roger Lewin, trumpeter, pianist and composer Paul Higgs and guitarist Simon Goodwin…..not to mention The Old Tigers.
Free events include performances with the Young Turks and the Rhythm Makers Caribbean Steel Band on Sunday August 26 and we strongly advise booking in advance at these cosy venues as the first 20 bookings will be allocated priority seating at tables close to the performers.
Tickets for the events at the Mermaid Inn can be purchased via the festival website or you can book directly by calling the Mermaid Inn on 01797 223 065 or via email; info@mermaidinn.com
Tickets are selling fast for the festival’s afternoon and evening headline concerts which take place at the stunning setting of St Mary’s church, Rye on Saturday 25 to Monday 27 August, with an array of world class artists including soul singer Tony Momrelle, Jazz FM vocalist of the year Zara McFarlane, jazz singer and broadcaster Clare Teal, the amazing saxophonist Courtney Pine, the Ronnie Scott’s Blues Explosion and the incredible British singer songwriter Joan Armatrading.
This year’s festival programme also includes many free live music events taking place at the dedicated outdoor performance stage located outside the Kino Cinema in Rye and below the Rye Town Hall at the Butter Market.
You can expect the very best of local and regional talent who will be performing a varied and dynamic mix of music styles including jazz, blues, roots, RnB, soul, Cuban, Latin and funk. The atmosphere is amazing and the streets of Rye will come alive with sounds and colours similar to that of New Orleans but still with a distinctive vibrancy and charm that is very much unique to both the festival and to Rye itself.
Many other free music events also take place at venues within Rye at the Queens Head, the Grapevine champagne and jazz bar, the Old Borough Arms, Simply Italian, at the newly refurbished Ship Inn and the recently opened Rye Waterworks micro pub.
For the full programme of events and to purchase tickets go to www.ryejazz.com
Photos: Jazz Festival organisers