Julian Joseph, Sheku & Isata Kanneh-Mason and Curtis Stigers for inaugural Rainham Piano Festival

A brand-new piano festival is set to make waves in Medway, bringing together a strong line-up of internationally renowned artists. The Rainham Piano Festival, running from 1 - 5 May 2025 at St Margaret’s Church, Rainham, will be centred around a Steinway Model D Grand Piano and offer audiences an intimate experience in the 303-seat medieval venue.

Among the headliners are Sheku and Isata Kanneh-Mason, two of the UK’s most celebrated young classical musicians; Curtis Stigers, the multi-platinum selling jazz vocalist and saxophonist known for his collaborations with Eric Clapton and Larry Goldings; and Julian Joseph, a British jazz icon whose career has shaped the UK jazz landscape for over three decades - he appears with his Atmospheres in Audio Theatre project alongside saxophonist Kaidi Akinnibi and tabla player Alok Verma (see video below).

Also joining the festival are Dominic Ferris, a virtuoso pianist renowned for his electrifying performances and work with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and Dom Pipkin, one of Europe’s foremost New Orleans-style pianists, bringing raw blues and boogie-woogie to the mix.

This festival marks the first time many of these artists will have performed in Medway, making it a rare opportunity for local audiences to experience world-class talent in an intimate setting. Beyond the headline acts, the festival also includes opportunities for members of the local community to step onto the same stage, performing for five minutes on the Steinway Model D, ensuring a unique and inclusive musical celebration.

Rev’d Nathan Ward, Vicar of St Margaret’s Church, said: “To have a line-up of this calibre in Rainham is nothing short of extraordinary. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to hear musicians of international renown in such an intimate space. Whether you're a jazz lover, a classical enthusiast, or simply passionate about great music, this festival will be a truly unforgettable experience.”

“This is a bold festival," Ward explains. "Rainham is not a place where you would normally expect to hear world-class artists like Julian Joseph or Sheku and Isata Kanneh-Mason perform, and yet here they are. We want to create something new, something that will put Rainham on the cultural map, while also giving local musicians the chance to be part of it.”

For tickets and more information visit www.rainhamchurch.co.uk/arts