Newport Jazz Festival announces ‘Third Wave’ of artists

Three incredible vocalists, an acoustic-electronica band from Manchester, England, a team of outstanding musicians/producers who have joined forces to create one of today’s hippest groups, a dynamic pianist and television bandleader and the world’s favorite master of funk top the list of the Third Wave of artists set to perform at the 2018 Newport Jazz Festival presented by Natixis Investment Managers August 3-5 at Fort Adams State Park and the International Tennis Hall of Fame at the Newport Casino.

Tickets are available now at www.newportjazz.org

Artistic Director Christian McBride and Executive Producer Jay Sweet today announced the following artists:

“I’ve been waiting, rather impatiently, to share this incredible Third Wave of artists,” said Jay Sweet. “Every year there are two or three sets I clear my schedule for, but I might have to up that number this year since there are at least four in this wave alone: George Clinton and P Funk, Jon Batiste, GoGo Penguin and, I know where I’ll be on Friday – R+R=NOW is one of the most important groups out there. You don’t miss a group who’s collaborated with Kendrick Lamar, Common, Kanye West, Mos Def and Q-Tip. Is it August yet?”

There are a lot of good reasons to have a leading musician as the Artistic Director and one of them is that Christian McBride has personal experience with just about every jazz musician on the scene.

“At age 45, it feels strange to say that I’ve been friends with someone for over 30 years who I didn’t go to elementary school with, but that’s exactly the case with my dear brother, Roy Hargrove,” said McBride. “We met in 1987 at a high school big band competition where he was already a star among almost every high school musician in the country. Since then, he’s become one of the most influential musicians of our time.”

Many musicians have said that playing in Newport is a dream come true and fans have watched those dreams unfold since 1954. Talking about his friend who reached back a generation to look into his father’s dreams, McBride said, “Joshua Redman has been another one of my closest musical comrades for over 26 years. Seeing and hearing him is always a joy. His latest project, “Still Dreaming,” pays homage to the seminal band that his father, Dewey, played in, Old and New Dreams, which is one of his most powerful and meaningful projects. It’s a pleasure to have my friend Joshua back at Newport.”

Newport Jazz Festival has always been a major arena for vocalists, and this year the tradition continues in fine style.

“Both Charenée Wade and Alicia Olatuja represent two of the very finest vocalists on the scene today, and I’ve had the pleasure of working with both of them,” said Christian. “The first time I heard Charenée, it seemed as if Betty Carter’s spirit had taken over her body. She sounds and feels as if she’s been on the planet before. Alicia Olatuja’s grace and power are rare. She can sing in absolutely any style with the utmost of sophistication and musicality. Her star is continually on the rise. It’s a pleasure to welcome both of these ladies to Newport.”

To date, the 2018 Newport Jazz Festival presented by Natixis Investment Managers includes:

Newport Jazz Festival’s official travel partner, WBGO Jazz 88.3FM, is offering Day Trips and an exclusive Weekend Package for festival fans. For more information, go to wbgo.org/Newport.

Natixis Investment Managers is the Presenting Sponsor of the 2018 Newport Jazz Festival and sponsors programs that help enrich the lives of individuals and preserve the cultural experience for future generations through music. In addition to Natixis Investment Managers, the Newport Jazz Festival also receives generous support from Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and Eventbrite.

The Newport Festivals Foundation fosters the legacy and expands the impact of its Festivals through educational initiatives to engage students and introduce them to jazz and folk music. The Foundation’s goal is to offer opportunity, inspire through exposure and facilitate the collection of resources needed for musicians to celebrate and innovate. The focus on creating unique experiences to spark engagement is accomplished through a variety of initiatives, including instrument drives and performances at schools throughout Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut.

For tickets and general information on the Newport Jazz Festival presented by Natixis Investment Managers, log on to www.newportjazz.org.