Festival Team

Ian Bowden - Festival Director

Ian is a highly motivated, experienced and creative producer.

In 2012 Ian launched the first Rye International Jazz Festival which is a personal dream and passion.

This high quality boutique and growing festival is now in its 5th year and Ian has already started work on various exciting plans for the future development of the festival in 2016 and beyond.

With over 15 years experience in the arts and entertainment industry; projects have included indoor and outdoor music presentations and corporate & charity events. His career history in this industry is particularly focused on jazz, soul and blues. Ian has worked with artists including Simply Red, Curtis Stigers, The Isley Brothers, Dionne Warwick, Randy Crawford and Amy Winehouse to name but a few.

[email protected] - Connect on LinkedIn

Peter Wallis - Programming & Development Advisor

We are delighted to welcome Peter and his huge experience from the world of jazz to our passionate and dedicated festival team.

Peter was the driving force behind the world famous Pizza Express Jazz Club in Soho for over 10 years. The impressive list of world class international artists that he has worked with include; Jamie Cullum, Diana Krall, Ian Shaw, Kurt Elling, Liz Wright, Mark Murphy, Claire Martin, Gregory Porter, Georgie Fame,Van Morrison, Norah Jones, Jonathan Butler, Ronnie Laws…the list goes on.

Peter works closely with the Festival Director Ian Bowden and advises on many aspects of the live entertainment business including programming, future development of the festival brand and the fulfilment of our longer term exciting plans.

Peter recently relocated to the beautiful town of Rye and has a very strong passion for history which Rye provides in abundance.

[email protected]

Lauren Moody - Project & Event Manager

Lauren is an experienced event coordinator and project manager with a history of successfully delivering large scale corporate events through to intimate parties.

Her friendly nature, great communication and motivational skills and ability to meet deadlines ensures a quality delivery for her clients.

Lauren has over 10 years experience working within the Financial sector and since becoming a mum turns her hand to more bespoke festivities.

Lauren has a passion for travel, music and food and lives with her husband, two little girls and her dog in Kent.

[email protected]

Vicki Haxton - Marketing & Event Manager

Vicki has over 15 years events & marketing experience and has combined her experience with her passion for the charitable sector and currently manages CSR for a large international financial company.

Vicki manages the festival’s digital marketing and social media as well as overseeing events during the festival.

Vicki is married to Ian they have a 5 year old daughter, Elysia and a soppy chocolate Labrador called Hershey.

[email protected] - Connect on LinkedIn

John Bryant - Technical Director

John is the festival’s production manager, looking after all of the sound, staging and lighting requirements for events at the festival.

John’s runs a very successful production company called On-Stage and works all over the UK and internationally providing logistical support for major music events, conferences and exhibitions.

John lives locally to Rye and has worked with the festival since it was launched in 2012.

[email protected]

Kate Glover - Event Manager

​Kate has been a fundamental part of the festival team since 2015, managing our Live at St Mary’s Series of events and much of the street festival logistics - she loves a high viz!

Kate is mum to two boys, an accountant in her day job when she’s not doing an awesome job looking after festival customers and artists.

[email protected]

Susan Herridge - Event Manager

​Susan has assisted at the festival since 2013, primarily coordinating our events at The George in Rye.

Her dedication, professionalism and customer focus is second to none. Sue is a valuable asset to the festival team.

[email protected]

Tim Kumar - Logistics & Jazz Lounge Coordinator

​Tim has been actively involved in helping the festival since 2013. Outside of his role as a recruitment specialist he has a passion for music and is a core member of our logistics team.

Tim will be seen dashing about from venue to venue ensuring every practical element is in place.

[email protected]

Tim Cocking - Advisor

Tim is our “background man”. Part of the team from day one, a sounding board/advisor and a bit of a business guru to Ian. As well as a good mate.

Tim has had close links with the music business over the years, principally as a tour organizer/travel agent. He has worked with major record companies including EMI, Chrysalis, and PWL (Stock Aitken Waterman). In the 80’s/90’s, Tim’s travel team handled the logistics of European tours for major artists including Eric Clapton, ZZ Top, Spandau Ballet, Boz Scaggs and a lot more.

Tim’s musical tastes are pretty catholic but Pat Metheny is an artist he has consistently followed and admired. Right now he’s into Snarky Puppy, Bill Laurence and Go Go Penguin, who of course featured at the 2015 Rye Jazz and Blues Festival.

Tim has also organized major corporate events and conferences worldwide. His company, vca Consultancy, has specialised for the last 16 years in providing onsite services to companies attending the major festivals in Cannes. Clients include Sky, Freemantle, Savills, JWT and Havas.

Tim divides his time between Kent and Provence.

[email protected]

John Griffiths - Security & Event Manager

An energetic, friendly security professional who has a proven track record of safeguarding a clients property and exemplary customer service.

John is an excellent front of house/security manager and enjoys working for the festival and always ensures customers receive the best possible service and a warm welcome.

[email protected]

Terri Bartlett - Jazz Lounge Hospitality Manager

From delivering babies to helping deliver an awesome boutique jazz festival.

Terri spent many years as a professional midwife before setting up her florist business. All this changed in 2010 when she was diagnosed with cancer, which is where she found a re-kindled love affair with Jazz.

Jazz became her world, “What better way to put my love for jazz into the Rye International Jazz Festival and share what I love doing best”.

[email protected]