The headline concerts start on Saturday August 27 with the UK Queen of Soul Mica Paris (above) and tickets have been in high demand but the organisers are delighted to announce the inclusion of additional standing tickets with excellent views for this concert at just £15. Acclaimed jazz singers Liane Carroll and Joe Stilgoe perform their headline concert on Monday August 29 and there are a handful of seats still available plus standing tickets just released at only £10.
Festival director Ian Bowden commented “We are delighted that we have sold so many tickets for these two wonderful concerts and we are very pleased to include additional standing tickets so that many people can still attend these two very special intimate events”. Please book through the festival website to avoid disappointment at www.ryejazz.com. Tickets will also be available on the door if you are lucky!
The festival started last night Thursday August 25 with two superb events. Phil Law was joined by friends for a free performance at the Standard Inn in The Mint, mixing their unique blend of jazz, blues and rock ‘n roll and the world famous Mermaid Inn in Mermaid Street presented a fantastic jazz supper with the Jazz Nights All Stars.
Friday August 26 sees Sky Arts Guitar Stars, Zayn Mohammed (above) and Steve Morrison perform on the outdoor performance stage at the Kino Cinema (opposite the Town Hall at the top of Lion Street) from 7pm onwards. This is one of the many free music events that take place at the festival and if you appreciate the very best blues and jazz fusion, then this is the place to be on Friday night for sure!
A fully licensed bar and amazing street food will also be available throughout the weekend at the Kino , serving up delicious Cajun Jambalaya and mouth-watering BBQ cuisine.
On Friday night you can also experience the coolest Latin jazz, with Hastings based Jazz Train at the Grapevine Champagne and Jazz Bar in Conduit Hill from 8pm and Andy Williams solo jazz guitar performs at La Maison clothes boutique at the bottom of East Street from 6pm onwards. The Rye Bay Crew also swing into the weekend at the Queens Head in Landgate from 8:30pm.
On Saturday August 27, make your way to the Kino outdoor stage for noon, to hear the free performance of the Fabulous Brass Funkeys who strut their blend of funk and jazz and then stroll to various locations in Rye. Let your hair down and go with the groove, as this eight piece brass ensemble bring that edgy New Orleans vibe to Saturday afternoon marching round town. The amazing Brillos take to the Kino stage from 1pm with their big sound from tiny instruments and local blues favourite Louis Turpin and his Trio bring you the finest blues at the Butter Market (under the Town Hall) from 3pm.
Saturday’s feast of vibrant free music continues with world class blues from Zoe Schwarz Blue Commotion (above) at the Kino stage from 5pm. Zoe is one of the most acclaimed blues singers of her generation, has won countless awards and is admired by blues aficionados across the UK. Don’t miss this stunning performance!
Free music across both Sunday 28 and Monday 29 August takes place at the Butter Market under the Town Hall) and the Kino outdoor stage facing across Lion Street , with on Sunday Cuban band Kandela Mi Son (Kino, at 6pm), The Fabulous Red Diesel (Kino, 830pm) , Dom Pipkin’s New Orleans edgy band the Ikos (Butter Market, 1pm) and Rod Pooley’s Funky Organ Trio (Kino, 3pm) , who recently supported US singer Curtis Stigers, will be serving up the very best in rare groove and classic funk, with renditions from Jimmy Smith, Herbie Hancock, George Benson and many others. Blues and roots guitarist and singer King Size Slim performs a free event at the Standard Inn in The Mint from 4pm Sunday and this again is not to be missed.
Also on Sunday August 28 the Rye Lodge Hotel in Hilder’s Cliff will host a stunning jazz and champagne event on the outdoor terrace from 1pm until 3pm with the superb Dave Barrett Jazz Trio. To book tickets for this event please call 01797 223838 or go to www.ryelodge.co.uk
A wide selection of other free and ticketed events will take place in Rye, including a relaxed Jazz Brunch with the Carter Burton Trio at the Kino Cinema Terrace on Sunday and Monday August 28 and 29 from 10:30am. The Grapevine Champagne and Jazz Bar presents intimate performances with Manhattan Magic on Sunday 28 from 6pm and a unique solo jazz performance with New Orleans Pianist Dom Pipkin on Monday August 29 Â from 3pm.
On Sunday August 28 the Rye Cricket Club will host a fun family day of music and BBQ, with the Jazz Nights All Stars from 12 noon.
Wrapping up this amazing weekend of free music on Monday August 29 will be Paul Richards & his Latin Trio, performing coolest Bossa Novas and Samba rhythms from 12 noon at the Butter Market. The achingly cool Violet Jive will perform at the Kino outdoor stage from 3pm and the jazz Funk Giants perform outside Simply Italian from 3pm.
The old Borough Arms hosts the Paul Richards Latin Duo at 3pm and the Turpin Hubbard Blues Duo see out the weekend in style at the Ship Inn from 4pm.
Come to Rye this bank holiday weekend and have amazing fun.
For more updates go to the festival website www.ryejazz.com to see the full line-up of ticketed and free music events. We look forward to seeing you in Rye at the end of August.
Photos from the Rye Jazz Festival