Since 2012 our vision has been to create and to present a vibrant music festival that provides diversity, quality, and inclusion.
Our vision has always been to grow and to develop the festival organically year on year raising the bar slightly higher whenever possible in respect of creative content and believe that great things come from small beginnings, which is testament to the development of the festival since 2012.
Boutique by design the festival programming is eclectic and provides variety inclusion, engagement, and assists in the mental wellbeing of attendees through the power of live music performance and participation.
The festival now attracts more than ten thousand visitors not only from across the Southeast but also from across the UK and Europe, in doing so this makes a very positive contribution to the local Rye economy, enhances tourism, and enriches the region from a creative and cultural perspective.
We continue to aim to attract acclaimed internationally recognised artistes to perform at the festival and to also provide the platform for both established and emerging music talent from across the region and from further afield to participate in our free music programme during the festival.
Our aim is always to the highest standards of professionalism, and our objectives and educational events and workshops are also a key focus during the festival, as this imparts learning, confidence, and greater understanding of music to all ages and groups and backgrounds, and we see this as grass – roots community learning and participation.
Exceeding expectations and audience satisfaction are important core values which are delivered by a passionate, experienced, and dedicated team of directors, professional suppliers and volunteers all working to ensure that the festival is presented and managed to the highest quality.
As we progress in the future, we also wish to enhance the overall festival with the inclusion of a dedicated 'food and drink’ offering to run alongside the festival which will showcase the best of local and regional food and drink producers.
Having celebrated its 10-year anniversary milestone in late August 2022 the festival continues to explore, develop and to introduce new and exciting creative projects to the festival programme that will continue to help build its reputation as one of the best boutique music festivals of its kind in the UK.
We will continue to explore the possibilities of presenting additional separate music events outside of the main August festival to assist in building awareness for the festival overall.
If you would like to be a high-profile partner of the festival or if you are a talented musician or band that would like to perform at the festival, please do contact Ian Bowden the Festival Director via email ian@ryejazz.com
