The seventh Rye International Jazz and Blues festival continues this weekend with some big names.

Grammy Award-winning singer Corinne Bailey Rae plays on Friday, September 7, while Dionne Warwick follows on Saturday, September 8 at the de La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill-on-Sea.

It’s a first outing to Rye for Corinne. She said: “I’m looking forward to coming to the town because I’ve heard it’s very beautiful. I will be back in the UK and playing my most well known songs. I always think of a gig as a “one off” because it’s special, we’re together for one time only.”

Corinne has rubbed shoulders with some famous names before, playing with Stevie Wonder and also at the White House for Barack Obama.

“Playing with your heroes is mindblowing," she said. "It’s amazing to learn that they know your music and appreciate it. And then once you get over that, you have the pleasure of being in front of your mentors. When playing with people whose music I’ve known since I was a child, I experience a feeling of gratitude and awe. When you play with people better than you, it takes your musicality to new heights. When I play with Stevie (Wonder) I can think things and play things faster and better.”

She added: “I found out Michelle Obama has me on her playlist when she’s working out and her daughters like my music. Barack Obama also had my song Green Aphrodisiac on his summer playlist. I was very happy to be played in a White House that really supported music.”

She will be playing a range of her music from her early material to her latest, at Rye.

DETAILS

There are a handful of tickets left to see Corinne Bailey Rae play the Rye International Jazz and Blues Festival on Friday, September 7 while Dionne Warwick's date on Saturday, September 8 is sold out. For details go to ryejazz.com