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 has been a personal ambition and vision. Now in it’s 6th year, the festival has become acknowledged as one of the best high quality boutique music festivals in the UK.

Ian has already started work on various exciting plans for the future development of the festival, and a number of special events planned for later in 2017 and into 2018.

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.

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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.

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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 6 year old daughter, Elysia and a soppy chocolate Labrador called Hershey.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Jane Mills - Hospitality Manager

Jane has a wealth of hospitality and customer service experience and uses both constantly during the festival!

Jane is always cheery and nothing is too much bother - we love her!

If you see her around say ‘Hi’!

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Roma Turner - Hospitality Manager

​Our lovely Roma has lots of experience in the teaching profession and the merchant Navy. She really keeps things ‘Ship Shape’!

After years sailing around the world on the QE2 she settled in Sussex and we sure are glad she did!

Roma is a real team player, loves working with people, music and laughter - perfect pairing for Rye Jazz & Blues Festival.

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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.

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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.

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Nick Forman - Logistics & Customer Care

Nick Forman formally a professional musician, has always been a keen supporter and sponsor of the festival and being a resident of Rye appreciates how important it is to local people and businesses in the town.

Nick is very personable and hardworking and enjoys the setting up and running of various festival venues.

He is delighted to be part of this professional and dedicated team who all work so hard to make sure the festival moves from strength to strength.

Sue Forman - VIP & Customer Care

Sue Forman lives in Rye and has worked as an Estate Agent for many years. She is a ‘people person’ with a passion for a wide variety of music.

She is a keen supporter and patron of the festival and whether she’s rolling up her sleeves at the hospitality events, ushering people to their seats or marshalling at the outdoor concerts, she always has a smile on her face and the willing to help make the Jazz and Blues festival the huge success it is.

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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.

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