The Rye International Jazz and Blues Festival is a major part of the town’s calendar, a huge event that will bring thousands of visitors to the town next month to enjoy some of the best musicians in the world. Making it the best it possibly can be is what drives founder Ian Bowden, but his hard work comes at a price. “It’s my passion. I love it, but it can be emotionally draining at times, and I always put my heart and soul into it as I have done for the last 12 years. If I don’t give it my all, I know it won’t happen. I have to make it work. I’ve invested so much of my life in the festival and it's tough, but I couldn't walk away as it would break my heart. I'm so grateful for the fantastic support from some truly amazing people, and the town of Rye, but to continue to make the festival so good - or even bigger - I’m really going to need more help from people and businesses in Rye.”
Rye jazz isn’t run by a big events company. “We are a small passionate and dedicated team” It’s just me, my amazing wife Vicki, my brilliant co-director Kate, and some incredible volunteers and supporters. Every penny we make goes into putting on the festival. Vicki is my voice of reason, I couldn’t do any of this without her support, but she keeps reminding me it’s still incredibly hard work even after 12 years. It’s my life which some people might think is a little crazy, but in life if you don’t give something your all, why bother and we all know that we only get one crack at this!"
To give a sense of Ian’s dedication, last Thursday he was out at 4am putting up some of the 300 poster boards around Rye and East Sussex advertising the festival. He has banged each of them into the ground with some much-appreciated help from a couple of volunteers. Early on Sunday he was clambering up the hoarding on Strand Quay hanging the huge banner. On Wednesday he was out dropping leaflets. Nearer the festival over the August bank holiday he’ll post letters through every door on East Street, Market Street and Lion Street explaining what will be happening with the free music which takes place on the outdoor stage located at the Kino Cinema.
Getting acts like Dionne Warwick and Emile Sande isn’t easy either. “It takes months, years. You don’t just phone up Curtis Stigers and book him and he appears on stage. There’s endless negotiation and lots of logistics to arrange. Luckily, the festival has a great reputation, but it still takes some persuading getting an international star to perform in St Mary’s in front of 350 people, brilliant venue though it is.”
Raising the funding for the Festival is a constant challenge. “Rother District Council has been a huge support but their funding is so squeezed it's highly unlikely we will get a grant next year. I get it. Times are tough. I’m not doing any of this for me, but just a bit more encouragement and support would make all the difference. If a few more businesses got involved that would be great, whether that’s advertising or sponsoring, but I would really like more venues to get involved and host events. The festival brings so much to Rye - the restaurants and hotels are full, and the town is buzzing. I’m open to all ideas and suggestions. I really hope people will read this and get in touch.”
Ian Bowden created the festival in 2012 using money left to him by his late mother. “I am sure she is watching me from afar and I started the festival because I love Rye and I wanted to give something back to the town. I’m proud to put on the festival and so proud of what we have achieved. Whatever it takes I’m committed. I’m here to make it happen, but please I’d like for it to be a little easier. I’m hugely grateful to everyone who has helped so far, but if you haven’t or you’ve been sitting on the fence, I hope you’ll come on board and help me as that would be fantastic.”
In spite of the challenges he has some big ambitions, but they'll only come off with more funding, more patrons, and more volunteers. "Just think what we could achieve together. We could make the festival Rye's very own unique version of the New Orleans Mardi Gras. Wouldn't that be amazing!"
For this year though another stellar line up is ready. "The musicians are exceptional. It's such an honour to get artists like Monty Alexander to play in the church. He is an absolute legend. Mica Millar will be stunning too, in fact all of musicians that are performing at the festival are outstanding and I am confident as in previous years the festival will give so much joy to those who attend”.
You can get in touch with Ian Bowden by emailing ian@ryejazz.com
This year’s Rye International Jazz and Blues Festival runs from Thursday August 22 until Monday August 26. You read the full line up at https://ryejazz.com/
