Richard Moore, founder and chairman of the Rye Wurlitzer Academy writes with news of the recent Liane Carroll Jazz Supper at the Milligan Theatre…
I enjoy every event that we arrange for the Rye Wurlitzer Academy (RWA), however, our Jazz Supper on Friday October 12 was more than a little special. Joining our regular globe-trotting theatre organist Michael Wooldridge were two more international performers, jazz songstress Liane Carroll and drummer-to-the-stars Russell Field, both based in Hastings.
Just a week earlier Liane had been featuring on BBC Radio 2’s Friday Night Is Music Night, and also in the past couple of weeks had been headlining in events in Germany, Ireland, Devon and Cornwall.
Russell, as well as his work with Liane, also accompanies Midge Ure and Barbara Dickson and just a couple of days before our event had been performing in Sardinia to an audience of 16,000 people.
To have musicians of such a high standard appearing in Rye is exciting and we are fortunate that they believe so strongly in the value of the work we do in the RWA to encourage a new generation of musicians. Musically, you can’t get much better than three internationally acclaimed performers presenting an evening packed with classic jazz standards – an evening of great musical entertainment.
Dean the fish fryer arrived in his wagon at 7:45pm and by 8pm had started to serve our sell-out audience with cod and chips – more than 100 portions.
As always with RWA events, it was a team effort and thanks go to the RWA parents for their continued and wonderful support, and to our students for helping to run the event. After all expenses had been paid, the evening had raised £700 for our teaching project. Thanks to everyone there for being part of a very special evening.
Our final event for 2018 is our Christmas concert on Friday December 14, which this year features Cranbrook Town Band and Michael Wooldridge – brass band and Wurlitzer – the perfect combination for an evening of festive music, plus mince pies and (non-alcoholic) mulled wine for everyone.
Ticket reservations are now being taken on 01424 444 058.
Image Credits: courtesy RWA , Rye Wurlitzer Academy .