Rye International Jazz & Blues Festival

About

The Rye International Jazz & Blues Festival is widely recognised as one of the UK's leading boutique music festivals and has been delighting audiences since its launch in 2012.

Held annually over four days at the end of August, encompassing the August Bank Holiday weekend, the festival transforms the beautiful medieval town of Rye, East Sussex, into a vibrant celebration of world-class live music.

The festival presents an outstanding programme of jazz, blues, roots, soul, funk, gospel and Latin music, featuring internationally acclaimed artists performing headline concerts in the stunning and intimate setting of St Mary's Church, one of the country's most unique concert venues.

Alongside its ticketed performances, the festival offers an extensive programme of free live music across Rye's pubs, venues and public spaces, with street performances bringing the town's historic centre to life throughout the weekend. Selected headline concerts are also presented at the iconic De La Warr Pavilion in nearby Bexhill-on-Sea.

Over the years, the festival has welcomed an exceptional line-up of internationally renowned artists, including Gregory Porter, Beverley Knight, Mica Paris, Corinne Bailey Rae, Nigel Kennedy, Dionne Warwick, Courtney Pine, Emeli Sandé, Imelda May, Curtis Stigers, Rufus Wainwright, Rumer, Erib Bibb and many more.

Today, the Rye International Jazz & Blues Festival attracts thousands of visitors from across the UK and beyond each year, making a significant contribution to the local economy while enhancing Rye's reputation as one of the country's most distinctive cultural destinations.