Following the fun and excitement of the Christmas festivities, things tend to go a little flat until the New Year kicks in so what better way to lift your spirits than by booking up to see two live concerts in St Mary in the Castle on Hastings seafront.
This is a new venue for the Rye Jazz & Blues Festival but what an iconic venue it is, a unique historic building, part of Pelham Crescent on Hastings seafront with a spectacular auditorium which, as well as concerts, is also used for photo-shoots, weddings and exhibitions.
On Thursday, January 23, American singer songwriter Judy Collins will be performing an intimate concert, an opportunity to hear this award winning artist, esteemed for her imaginative interpretations of traditional and contemporary folk standards and her original compositions.
Her stunning rendition of Joni Mitchell’s “Both sides now” from her 1967 album, Wildflowers, has been entered into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Doors open at 7pm, the concert is from 8pm.
On Saturday, January 25 the James Taylor Quartet (JTQ) presents a fantastic night of funky acid jazz, back by popular demand following their appearance this year with the jazz festival in Rye, supported by the Fabulous Red Diesel.
JTQ is a British four piece jazz funk band with James Taylor on keyboards (and orchestration), Mark Cox (guitar), Andrew McKinney (bass) and Pat Illingworth (drums). Taylor has been described as “One of the best Hammond organ players of his generation”
Fabulous Red Diesel are no strangers to the jazz festival, a band of highly original players with soaring vocals, hooks, grooves, soul and the occasional tuba. Doors open at 7pm, the concert is from 8pm.
To book tickets and for general enquiries contact either kate@ryejazz.com or vicki@ryejazz.com
Image Credits: Rye Jazz Festival , Kenneth Bird .