There’s a chance to witness something amazing in Rye this bank-holiday weekend.
If you are visiting Rye or lucky enough to live in this beautiful town, you have definitely picked the right weekend if you like exceptional live music. As part of the eighth Rye International Jazz and Blues Festival there are three exceptional world-class concerts on May 3, 4 and 5 in the stunning setting of St Mary’s Church. Doors (and the bar) open at 7pm and at 8pm the performances begin.
Brazilian music legend Sergio Mendes opens on Friday with the first intimate concert from one of the most successful Brazilian artists of all time. Be sure to wear your dancing shoes, it’s going to be a lively evening.
Save some of that energy for the following day when Madeleine Peyroux will be taking Saturday evening by storm, the highly acclaimed American jazz singer and song writer will be performing original songs from her new album, Anthem, as part of a trio, a performance not to miss.
On Sunday May 5 there is another truly unique concert ‘An evening with Jimmy Webb’ the legendary American songwriter joins us, having travelled from New York and will be performing with two very special guests, multi award-winning jazz singer song-writers Ian Shaw and Liane Carroll.
There are very limited numbers of tickets available at the time this article was produced but if you do miss out on tickets don’t give up, come along anyway as there may be some no shows on the night and you may be very lucky but if all else fails there are some amazing concerts still to come in August, full details are available on www.ryejazz.com.
To give you a flavour of who’s already coming to Rye, be quick and book early for the amazing singer Rumer on the afternoon of Saturday, August 24. That evening Queen of Soul, Beverley Knight will be performing at St Mary’s church. On Sunday afternoon Jon Cleary, New Orleans jazz and blues legend and originally from Cranbrook, will blow you away. And on the same evening, American blues icon, Lucky Peterson will take you to a new level. If that’s not enough, legendary guitarist Richard Thompson takes centre stage on Monday evening, August 26. What a line up!
There’s so much more going on but do take a look on the website and see for yourself. If you are from out of town, why not make a weekend of it, stay locally and enjoy the atmosphere? Rye is a very special place and with a unique programme of world-class artists to entertain you there is no doubt you will take home some amazing memories and hopefully you will come and see us again.
Image Credits: Rye Jazz Festival .