Now in its seventh year the festival is firmly established as one of the best high quality boutique music festivals of its kind in the UK, attracting thousands of music fans and families to attend from across the region.
Festival director Ian Bowden commented “we are incredibly proud to confirm many wonderful artists for this year’s festival, it really will be a fantastic 7thyear. We are also presenting a wealth of local and regional music talent during the festival and these free music events are a very important part of the overall programme which provides the platform for both established and emerging talent to perform to a wider and appreciative audience“.
This year the varied and exciting festival programme includes world-class artists performing unique and intimate headline concerts in the stunning setting of St Mary’s Church, Rye.
You can expect the very best of local and regional talent who will be performing a varied and dynamic mix of music styles including Jazz, Blues, Roots, RnB, Soul, Cuban, Latin and Funk. The atmosphere is amazing and the streets of Rye come alive with sounds and colours similar to that of New Orleans.
Confirmed headline artists include the amazing Zara McFarlane on Saturday August 25. Zara has been just been awarded the Jazz FM vocalist of the year 2018 to add to her growing collection of awards.
The incredible jazz saxophonist and composer Courtney Pine performs his ground breaking show “The House of Legends” on Sunday 26th August.
You can expect an exhilarating mix of Merengue, Ska, Mento and Calypso played through the lens of a UK born artist with strong Afro-Caribbean roots.
The festival proudly presents a truly unique experience to see legend Joan Armatrading up close and personal on Monday August 27 when she performs songs from her new album ‘Not too far away’ and her incredible back catalogue.
The festival programme also extends into early September with two special concerts taking place at the iconic De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill-on-Sea on.
Grammy Award-winning songstress and guitarist Corinne Bailey Rae to perform a special concert at the De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill – on Sea on Friday September 7.
Corinne will be performing her collection of hits such as Green Aphrodisiac, Put Your Records On and Like A Star as well as material from her breath taking new album The Heart Speaks In.
On Saturday 8th September the ‘Legendary’ Dionne Warwick plays in the first of her UK concert dates at the De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill-on-Sea performs her vast array of hits, including Walk On By, Anyone Who Had A Heart and Heartbreaker.
Dionne is one of the best-loved singers in the history of music. A career, which currently celebrates 50 years, has established her as an international music icon.
Additional artists will be announced over the coming weeks and be sure to book the dates in your diary and make that special journey to Rye this coming August.
For the full programme and tickets go to www.ryejazz.com
Photos: Ian Bowden