A new piano festival is set to take the Medway region by storm, featuring a stellar lineup of internationally acclaimed musicians. The inaugural Rainham Piano Festival, running from May 1-5, 2025, at St Margaret’s Church in Rainham, promises an unforgettable experience for music lovers. The event will center around a Steinway Model D Grand Piano, offering audiences a unique and intimate setting in the church’s 303-seat medieval venue.
Among the headlining artists are Sheku and Isata Kanneh-Mason, two of the UK’s most celebrated young classical musicians. Joining them will be Curtis Stigers, the multi-platinum jazz vocalist and saxophonist known for his collaborations with legends such as Eric Clapton and Larry Goldings. Additionally, British jazz icon Julian Joseph, a leading figure in the UK jazz scene for over three decades, will perform with his Atmospheres in Audio Theatre project, alongside saxophonist Kaidi Akinnibi and tabla player Alok Verma.
The festival will also feature virtuoso pianist Dominic Ferris, renowned for his electrifying performances and work with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as Dom Pipkin, one of Europe’s top New Orleans-style pianists, who will bring his signature blues and boogie-woogie sound to the stage.
For many of these artists, the Rainham Piano Festival will be their first performance in Medway, making this a rare opportunity for local audiences to experience world-class talent in a uniquely intimate environment. The festival goes beyond the headline acts by providing local community members a chance to perform on the Steinway Model D, with five-minute slots available for aspiring pianists.
Rev’d Nathan Ward, Vicar of St Margaret’s Church, expressed excitement about the festival: “Having such a distinguished lineup in Rainham is an extraordinary occasion. It’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity to hear internationally renowned musicians in such a close, personal space. Whether you’re into jazz, classical music, or just love great music, this festival promises to be an unforgettable experience.”
Ward went on to explain the vision behind the festival: “Rainham isn’t typically known for hosting world-class artists like Julian Joseph or Sheku and Isata Kanneh-Mason, but that’s exactly what we aim to do. We want to put Rainham on the cultural map while also providing local musicians the opportunity to participate in this remarkable event.”
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