Three intimate concerts featuring musicians including world famous violinist Nigel Kennedy, will be held in addition to a town's annual jazz festival.

The annual summer Rye Jazz and Blues Festival will be held from Thursday, August 24 to Monday, August 28, but three extra dates will be held at St Mary’s Church in Rye on East Sussex from May 25 to May 27, the bank holiday weekend.

The first of the May concert series will be violinist and maverick musician Nigel Kennedy performing for the first time in Rye.

The concert Bach Meets My World will be an evening with a programme packed with Nigel’s favourite, and most celebrated, Bach compositions, combined with the music from his acclaimed new album My World.

Expect the unexpected with additional repertoire including pieces from Stéphane Grappelli, and Jimi Hendrix.

On Friday, May 26, American jazz singer and Grammy-nominated, Stacey Kent, performs with her band, with songs including from her latest album, Tenderly.

On Saturday, May 27, there will be a double bill of singers Sarah Jane Morris and Liane Carroll, both of whom have strong connections to nearby Hastings.

Joining Sarah Jane will be Italian guitarist Antonio Forcione, and they will be playing

songs from their new collaborative album Compared To What. Liane will give a solo performance with songs from her album Seaside.

To book tickets and for more information, go to ryejazz.com