Take a walk on the jazz side

Preview: Herbie Flowers and Mark Edwards: The George, Rye, Sunday August 26 11am - Jazz Breakfast. £20.

He has played bass on an estimated 500 hit recordings - a musician’s musician.

But Herbie Flowers says: “At the age of 75, all I want to do now is teach young musicians and play the jazz music I love and that is what I will be playing with Mark at Rye.

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Herbie’s real passion is running Rock Shop events at Brighton Dome where, with like-minded musicians, he holds week-long workshops for up to 100 aspiring young musicians who then deliver a showcase performance at the end.

“I have been running these for years,” said Herbie “and over that time have seen hundreds of youngsters go on into the industry. It is so rewarding.”

Shrugging off the notion that Jazz musicians are night owls, Herbie has made playing jazz at breakfast time his own province, commenting: “Some of the best music recorded was done at morning sessions.

The audience at the George won’t know what to expect as Herbie himself won’t have a clue what he is playing until that double bass is nestling in his hands.

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“Mark and I worked out that we know 16,000 songs between us, but we are always sensitive to mood and ambiance and will play what feels right at the time.”

Herbie has played all over the world but is particularly looking forward to playing in Rye for the simple reason that it is in his native Sussex - the county he loves. He lives in a Downland village north of Lewes and says: “I never tire of returning here after being away - it gets better every time.

“It will be great to play Rye in the morning and I’ll probably stop off at Hastings for some fish and chips on the way back.”

Tickets are priced at £20, which includes a full buffet breakfast, and are available through the festival website www.ryejazz.com and will be available on the day.