The Rye International Jazz and Blues Festival is a major part of the town’s calendar, a huge event that will bring thousands of visitors to the town next month to enjoy some of the best musicians in the world. Making it the best it possibly can be is what drives founder Ian Bowden, but his hard work comes at a price. “It’s my passion. I love it, but it can be emotionally draining at times, and I always put my heart and soul into it as I have done for the last 12 years. If I don’t give it my all, I know it won’t happen. I have to make it work. I’ve invested so much of my life in the festival and it’s tough, but I couldn’t walk away as it would break my heart. I’m so grateful for the fantastic support from some truly amazing people, and the town of Rye, but to continue to make the festival so good – or even bigger – I’m really going to need more help from people and businesses in Rye.”
Rye jazz isn’t run by a big events company. “We are a small passionate and dedicated team” It’s just me, my amazing wife Vicki, my brilliant co-director Kate, and some incredible volunteers and supporters. Every penny we make goes into putting on the festival. Vicki is my voice of reason, I couldn’t do any of this without her support, but she keeps reminding me it’s still incredibly hard work even after 12 years. It’s my life which some people might think is a little crazy, but in life if you don’t give something your all, why bother and we all know that we only get one crack at this!”
To give a sense of Ian’s dedication, last Thursday he was out at 4am putting up some of the 300 poster boards around Rye and East Sussex advertising the festival. He has banged each of them into the ground with some much-appreciated help from a couple of volunteers. Early on Sunday he was clambering up the hoarding on Strand Quay hanging the huge banner. On Wednesday he was out dropping leaflets. Nearer the festival over the August bank holiday he’ll post letters through every door on East Street, Market Street and Lion Street explaining what will be happening with the free music which takes place on the outdoor stage located at the Kino Cinema.
Getting acts like Dionne Warwick and Emile Sande isn’t easy either. “It takes months, years. You don’t just phone up Curtis Stigers and book him and he appears on stage. There’s endless negotiation and lots of logistics to arrange. Luckily, the festival has a great reputation, but it still takes some persuading getting an international star to perform in St Mary’s in front of 350 people, brilliant venue though it is.”
Raising the funding for the Festival is a constant challenge. “Rother District Council has been a huge support but their funding is so squeezed it’s highly unlikely we will get a grant next year. I get it. Times are tough. I’m not doing any of this for me, but just a bit more encouragement and support would make all the difference. If a few more businesses got involved that would be great, whether that’s advertising or sponsoring, but I would really like more venues to get involved and host events. The festival brings so much to Rye – the restaurants and hotels are full, and the town is buzzing. I’m open to all ideas and suggestions. I really hope people will read this and get in touch.”
Ian Bowden created the festival in 2012 using money left to him by his late mother. “I am sure she is watching me from afar and I started the festival because I love Rye and I wanted to give something back to the town. I’m proud to put on the festival and so proud of what we have achieved. Whatever it takes I’m committed. I’m here to make it happen, but please I’d like for it to be a little easier. I’m hugely grateful to everyone who has helped so far, but if you haven’t or you’ve been sitting on the fence, I hope you’ll come on board and help me as that would be fantastic.”
In spite of the challenges he has some big ambitions, but they’ll only come off with more funding, more patrons, and more volunteers. “Just think what we could achieve together. We could make the festival Rye’s very own unique version of the New Orleans Mardi Gras. Wouldn’t that be amazing!”
For this year though another stellar line up is ready. “The musicians are exceptional. It’s such an honour to get artists like Monty Alexander to play in the church. He is an absolute legend. Mica Millar will be stunning too, in fact all of musicians that are performing at the festival are outstanding and I am confident as in previous years the festival will give so much joy to those who attend”.
You can get in touch with Ian Bowden by emailing ian@ryejazz.com
This year’s Rye International Jazz and Blues Festival runs from Thursday August 22 until Monday August 26. You read the full line up at https://ryejazz.com/
Image Credits: Ian Bowden , Tunde archives , Kt bruce .
It’s good to see Ian’s hard work and dedication recognised here, what he brings to Rye is true magic from which we all benefit. I can’t wait for this year’s festival to begin!
On behalf of the Rye-based community interest company The Music Well CIC I would like to say/shout out/sing a HUGE thank you to Ian, Vicki, Kate and all the team at the Rye International Jazz and Blues Festival.
Not only does the Festival bring fun, laughter, entertainment and excellent musicians to Rye, it also showcases many local companies and organisations. The Music Well is honoured to be the chosen ‘good cause’ of the Festival. It gives us an opportunity to raise our profile and collect a substantial amount of money. We have a team of dedicated ‘bucketeers’ who are always amazed at the generosity of the concert-goers at St. Mary’s church.
Over the years we have collected thousands of pounds and all of the money goes directly to working with many individuals, young and old, in and around Rye. We provide one-to-one music therapy sessions in schools, residential & private homes. Ian allows us to speak before each concert giving us the opportunity to inform, or remind, locals and visitors alike of the work we do.
Last weekend, at The Music Well’s annual summer concert, I spoke to a couple who had joined our Fun Band (another string to our bow of services) after I mentioned it at a Jazz Festival concert in St Mary’s last year. They had found, and dusted down, their disgarded instruments and discovered once again the joy in music making. The keyboard player disclosed that he had never performed in public before last Sunday!
That is what the Rye International Jazz and Blues Festival has helped us do – inspired confidence, rekindled a joy in a whole range of music and made people happy! A massive thank you from us all at the Music Well CIC!
While I have nothing against the Jazz Festival and wish it every success, I feel I have to complain about the illegally placed poster boards put up by this festival’s organisers. It happens every year. Many of these adverts are screwed to lamp posts, telegraph poles or tied to public street railings and other street furniture. They are also placed on public road verges. It is strictly illegal to advertise like this and I ask that Rye Jazz Festival removes these illegally placed adverts immediately. Of course, the chance that this will be done is zero, but if the practice continues into the future I’m certain that a complaint will be made to Rother District Council’s planning enforcement team about this flaunting of the law. Why is it that people disobey advertising laws when they’re fully aware of them? I’d be grateful for a response from Ian Bowden on this issue.
It’s once a year. Surely in these times the benefits (both well-being wise and financially for example) for the town must greatly out-way any perceived negatives. Whilst I’m not personally into that type of music scene and shan’t be attending I am still in favour of it.
Why have a go at something which well renown, good for the town and has a lot of work put into it behind the scenes?
I’d much rather see these flyers than the awful E-boards by the Salts. Maybe you could direct your ire towards these and complain about then rather than these flyers, (which I’m sure you will do to RDC no doubt).
Ian you and your team do an amazing job putting on the festival – a big thank you to you all. Have attended several of the musical events in St. Mary’s Church where the acoustics are also amazing and the events in the pubs and streets are delightful. Hoping you get the support you need to continue for many years to come as Rye and the Festival are so special.
The Jazz Festival is indeed a great event and brings world class artists to Rye. One sunny afternoon, many years ago, I remember meeting Kyle Eastwood as he sat outside Rye Church; we had great chat about music (No, I never mentioned his Dad!). People sometimes complain about ticket prices but these artists would normally never come anywhere near Rye, so paying 60/80 quid entry is not so steep as going up to London would add travel or hotel costs (if it ended later than 11pm).
The problem is (speaking both as a musician who has performed at the festival, and friend of a few venue owners around town) – it is on August bank holiday weekend: the busiest weekend of the year. Many restaurants/bars have more customers than they can cope with and don’t need the extra draw of music – Rye is always full on August bank holiday! It would benefit the town more if it could be any other weekend – maybe combined with the Arts Festival in September? Then, I feel more businesses would be inclined to get involved …
This is a very good point
Can I just ask why Curtis Steiger is performing at the DLWP when everything is billed as Rye Jazz Festival? Is it part of the conditions of the grant from RDC that they/ Bexhill get proceeds from the main act? I appreciate it is a larger venue than St Mary’s, but Bexhill already has plenty of other concerts. Attending Bexhill involves a long drive as there’s not always public transport home for outlying villages.
Hi Clare we saw Curtis Steiger at St. Mary’s Church 2 years ago – he was amazing – so in Rye before Bexhill. Also so blessed to have seen other “stars” who have performed there in recent years Beverley Knight, Emily Sande, Ruby Turner.
Hi Clare, it would never be a condition of funding that concerts had to be in Bexhill, Rye is just as much a part of Rother as Bexhill is. I went to see Rufus Wainwright at De La Warr in February this year put on by Rye Jazz and Blues Festival, I believe then it was about maximising numbers and using a top class venue to attract an international artist (absolutely amazing gig by the way). Funding from Rother would usually support the free music element of the festival which can be enjoyed by everyone.
A superb event with a great line up. Each year we talk about funding and how challenging it is for you Ian. Have you applied to RDC for our usual contribution?
As with all events, District wide, it is clear that Council funding is limited and the need for alternative support is much needed. I would encourage any resident and business, who are able in these financially difficult times, to contact Ian to help.
Lovely to see some coverage of the Rye Jazz Festival, and a little of Ian’s personal story too! We’ve been privileged to be alongside Ian throughout the 12 years of the Festival and know first hand the blood, sweat and tears that go into making this event the success that it is.
I guess many people imagine that Rye Jazz is a big outfit, with a good number of staff, as well as patrons and sponsors. The reality is quite different. Rye Jazz is Ian – the only full time worker – and that’s 7 days a week! Of course, Ian loves it, and loves Rye, and I guess that’s why the Festival has been able to grow and develop over the years, surviving Covid and a less than favourable economic climate. Quite a miracle! Ian is assisted by his wife, Vicki (our daughter) and long time friend, Kate – and many wonderful volunteers running up to and including the event itself. What a team!
They have brought so much to Rye, making the August Bank Holiday a fabulous end of summer party, with ‘free’ music and great headline concerts every year.
We join in the fun and come and stay in one of the many local b and b’s. A treat for us – and of course the many visitors who come down to Rye for the extended weekend, enjoying all that Rye has to offer.
I think there’s still room for growth, with more pubs and other venues showcasing some of the great bands that Ian is able to invite.
Everyone loves ‘free’ music and the holiday vibe it brings to the town.
I can only encourage all you wonderful Rye businesses to get behind Ian, so that the Festival can continue and even grow.
And thankyou to those who already sponsor the Festival, or advertise in the Guide. I know you’re greatly appreciated.
We’re looking forward to this year’s festival. Final preparations are in full swing. Poster boards are in place (and they’ll all be removed after the event!) Bands are booked for the ‘free’ music stage and other venues – and tickets are selling for headline concerts.
With help and support from as many as possible, this will be another great event. Hope to see you there!
The Rye District Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to see the Rye International Jazz and Blues Festival continue to thrive and grow under the passionate leadership of Ian Bowden and his dedicated team – despite the challenges he faces. This festival not only enriches our cultural landscape but also significantly boosts our local economy. Every year, thousands of visitors flock to Rye, filling our hotels and restaurants, and contributing to the vibrant, bustling atmosphere that our town is known for during the festival. Phil Law’s comment that the town would be busy anyway because of the Bank Holiday is a mantra I’ve heard a number of times.
Ian’s tireless dedication and the festival’s impeccable reputation attract some of the best musicians from around the world, putting Rye on the map as a renowned cultural destination. This international acclaim brings even more visitors and attention to our beautiful town, benefiting local businesses and enhancing our community’s global profile. A very different type of visitor in addition to the ‘bucket and spade brigade’, with deeper pockets.
We wholeheartedly support Ian’s vision and efforts and encourage more local businesses and venues to get involved. The festival’s success is a shared achievement that highlights the unique charm and spirit of Rye. Together, we can ensure the festival continues to grow, bringing even more economic and cultural benefits to our town. Here’s to another outstanding year for the Rye International Jazz and Blues Festival!