Blog

Posted 30/08/2017 by Ian Bowden

The streets were alive with live music and carnival spirit in Rye over the festival weekend. Audiences were treated to the sounds of the best Jazz, Blues, Swing, Funk and Latin music. There was a real party atmosphere as music lovers, families and friends experienced the free street music at the Kino Cinema outdoor performance stage and the Georgian Butter Market venue. Local suppliers cooled down the crowd and we hope you enjoyed the diabolically delectable Gin by Mayfield Sussex Hop Gin and the wonderful bar from Harvey's.

Posted 09/04/2017 by Ian Bowden

Rye International Jazz & Blues Festival proudly present singing sensation Russell Watson at a special outdoor summer picnic concert in the stunning and historic setting of Tonbridge Castle, Kent on Sunday 9th July and we are delighted to announce that acclaimed Jazz singer Liane Carroll has been confirmed to perform in the supporting line up.

Posted 03/09/2015 by Ian Bowden

Thousands from across the South East and from as far as Birmingham descended upon the beautiful town of Rye over the bank holiday weekend to experience a stunning line-up of International Jazz & Blues talent at the 2015 Rye International Jazz & Blues Festival.

Posted 27/08/2015 by Ian Bowden

As the festival launches this evening at the Spectrum Jazz Lounge. We thought it's time to say good luck to our amazing festival team. There are still tickets available for this evenings performance with the Theo Jackson Quartet. Come along and join in the launch night fun!

Posted 26/08/2015 by Ian Bowden

​We are delighted to welcome Earl Okin to the Spectrum Jazz Lounge for what promises to be an outstanding afternoon cabaret performance with this musical genius! His one man show is one hot gig and it's sure to be a highlight of the Festival Programme.

Posted 24/07/2015 by Ian Bowden

The festival is thrilled to announce that James King and Miss Valentine will be supporting Clare Teal at the festival. James is making waves in the International music scene and has just been announced as the singer songwriter winner of Sundown Festival and will open the festival main stage on the Saturday. He's appearing with a special guest Miss Valentine and will definitely get the crowd warmed up for Clare. Clare Teal will be taking to the stage at 8pm in an exclusive, intimate picnic style performance in the stunning walled garden of Lamb House on Saturday 29 August. The doors will open at 6:30pm so there's plenty pf time for you to organise your rugs, chairs, picnics, Prosecco and take in the wonderful support we have lined up for you! In the event of bad weather, the concert will be moved indoors to the stunning St Mary's Church, just around the corner from Lamb House. Tickets are now on sale priced at £24 for adults, £10 under 16's and children under 5 free.

Posted 17/03/2017 by Ian Bowden

We have certainly not been in hibernation over the recent winter months in fact, we have been working on a whole range of very exciting plans for this year’s summer festival. Already established as one of the leading music festivals in the UK, our 2017 programme will be exciting and dynamic as always, with a carefully selected number of world class concerts, presented to the highest quality at intimate venues. We welcome families and music aficionados to attend our fun and vibrant event, with many thousands expected to attend the beautiful town of Rye at the end of August.

Posted 14/11/2016 by Ian Bowden

We are delighted to offer an exclusive VIP Package for Nigel Kennedy - Bach meets My World at St Mary's Church Rye this May. The VIP Package includes reserved VIP seating in St Mary's Church, a delicious and substantial Canapés and Bubbly reception at The George in Rye and a signed CD. These tickets will be in demand so make sure you book early to avoid disappointment.

Posted 10/04/2016 by Ian Bowden

We are hoping the bring the Brand New Heavies to the Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells in October. Dates and full details to be announced soon.

Posted 10/04/2016 by Ian Bowden

A date for your diary is Saturday 30th April 2016 which has been designated as International Jazz Day by the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Posted 04/04/2016 by Ian Bowden

After a sell-out performance at the Rye International Jazz Festival in 2015. We are delighted to be bringing one of the most respected and talented jazz singers of this generation to the Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells. We proudly present Clare Teal & Her Mini Big Band on Saturday 28th May 2016. This performance is Kindly sponsored by Berkeley Group, Royal Wells Park.

Posted 04/04/2016 by Ian Bowden

As spring makes a welcome return it is at this time we announce a number of updates for our future plans . We have certainly not been in hibernation over the winter months; in fact, we have been busy exploring and planning a series of outstanding live performance plans which will take place at carefully selected locations and venues throughout 2016 and into 2017.

Posted 24/08/2015 by Ian Bowden

After the jazz funk outfit Hardines have taken you to your funky place, we change the music mood at the Spectrum Jazz Lounge to a more relaxed and chilled out feel with Gwyneth Herbert and Ned Cartwright. This will be a delightfully intimate performance from the award-winning composer and lyricist and versatile musical adventurer who continues to redefine and challenge expectations. Appearing on home turf, Gwyn appears tonight on vocals, ukulele, French horn, melodica and cheese-grater alongside boy-wunderkind pianist Ned Cartwright. Expect tales of jaded seaside hotels, East End vagrants, loves and losses and drips and drops and the occasional Swahili singalong!

Posted 24/08/2015 by Ian Bowden

Don't miss out on one of these three fantastic afternoon performances. Thank you for your interest in the Rye International Jazz & Blues Festival we are looking forward to it all kicking off on Thursday. Have you booked for one of our fantastic afternoon performances? If not, in the final run up to the festival we would be delighted to offer you a 15% discount for these superb shows.

Posted 19/08/2015 by Ian Bowden

Our friends at the Old Dairy Brewery have been working hard on the Rye Jazz & Blues Festival BeeBop Top. We want to give you a peek at the beer and the brewery from your armchair before you come on down to the festival to enjoy a Pint in the pubs, bars and our own Spectrum Jazz Lounge around Rye! BeeBop Top ‘…satchmoo approved!’

Posted 14/08/2015 by Ian Bowden

Wednesday night saw young and emerging artists gather at Grosvenor Casino in Piccadilly London where the final auditions for the Chapter & Lyric stage at the Festival were taking place.

Posted 14/08/2015 by Ian Bowden

The Festival is proud to announce Joe Corbin will be supporting Wilko Johnson on Sunday 30th at Milligan Theatre. Joe came to the festival's eye through our Chapter & Lyric events and we are delighted to offer him the chance to support Wilko. Joe and his guitar will take to the stage at 7pm.

Posted 03/08/2015 by Ian Bowden

Having trouble finding somewhere to stay during the festival? We want to make your festival experience as trouble free as possible.

Posted 25/06/2015 by Ian Bowden

Since the inception of the Rye International Jazz and Blues Festival 4 years ago, festival director Ian Bowden had his sights on securing the voice of jazz Mr Gregory Porter and last night the vision became reality as we presented an exclusive pre-2015 festival performance at the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill. Read our review here...

Posted 25/06/2015 by Ian Bowden

Dom Pipkin is one of the leading exponents of New Orleans RnB and blues in the UK and he will be talking about his first hand experiences of visiting New Orleans after Katrina, the people and characters that he met and how the music of this fascinating city, famous the world over for its music got itself back on it's feet. The mood will be high and in full swing when he's joined on stage by his band The Ikos to get us all up partying - New Orleans style!

Posted 03/06/2015 by Ian Bowden

James Tormé - Celebrates the Greats - live at St Marys is sure to be a Festival highlight. Tickets are selling fast - Book today! The Rye International Jazz & Blues Festival is proud to welcome award-winning jazz singer James Tormé, for a celebration of music’s greatest legends, from Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, Peggy Lee and Nat “King” Cole, to Miles Davis, Frank Sinatra, and of course, his own father, 3-time Grammy Award winner Mel Tormé.

Posted 23/05/2015 by Ian Bowden

Welcome to our new website and welcome to Rye International Jazz & Blues Festival 2015 taking place from 27th to 31st August. Take your time to have a look through some of this year's fantastic line-up including GoGo Penguin, Wilko Johnson and Avery Sunshine. Tickets for these headline events are now on sale. More headline acts and our fringe and street programme will be announced over the coming days.

Posted 23/05/2015 by Ian Bowden

We are super excited and gearing up for tonight's Gregory Porter concert at the De La Warr Pavilion. This event is now sold out. Special thanks to sponsors Future Climate Info and the Old Borough Arms, Rye. Gregory will be speaking in an live interview with BBC South East News this evening! Make sure you are watching...

Posted 01/05/2015 by Ian Bowden

Following our festival preview which took place last night we are delighted to announce that tickets for the 2015 festival will go on sale on Saturday 23rd May to coincide with the launch of our very gorgeous new website!

Posted 30/04/2015 by Ian Bowden

On International Jazz Day we are delighted to be launching our festival Friends & Patrons membership. The scheme will be officially launched at a reception this evening at The Rye Retreat. For details about the exclusive benefits you can receive read on...

Posted 18/04/2015 by Ian Bowden

Premium Tickets for Gregory Porter's one-off performance at the De La Warr Pavilion on Wednesday 24th June are now available online by booking via ryejazz.com priced at £44.

Posted 10/04/2015 by Ian Bowden

The Rye International Jazz and Blues Festival proudly presents a special pre-festival concert with the amazing, internationally acclaimed voice of Jazz, Gregory Porter on Wednesday 24th June. Tickets go on sale with the De La Warr Pavillion today and a further allocation of tickets will be available from Rye International Jazz Festival week commencing Monday 13th April.

Posted 04/04/2015 by Ian Bowden

With Easter upon us and Spring now in the air we have some exciting new announcements for you in the coming days. Check back in with us next week when we will be annoucing an exclusive 'for one night only' concert with one of the most talked about artists in the industry at this time; 'the new voice of jazz' comes to the De La Warr Pavillion, Bexhill on Wednesday 24th June.. we are super excited and are bursting to tell you!