Christian McBride, the acclaimed bassist and nine-time Grammy Award winner who has served as artistic director of the Newport Jazz Festival since 2015, announced his resignation Thursday, concluding a transformative decade at the historic festival.
McBride, who was personally selected for the role by festival founder George Wein in 2015 and took the artistic reins beginning with the 2017 festival, leaves behind a legacy of sold-out shows and programming that bridged jazz’s past with its future.
The appointment marked a historic transition — McBride became the first musician other than Wein to serve as artistic director in the festival’s 71-year history.
When Wein announced McBride’s selection in 2016, he said: “When I first met and heard a teenage Christian McBride in 1989, I knew that he was someone special. Little did I know that nearly 30 years later, he would become the special someone to continue my legacy.” Wein died in September 2021.
“It has been a tremendous honor to serve as artistic director of the Newport Jazz Festival,” McBride said. “When George invited me to take the baton, I did so with deep pride and a sense of duty to continue the extraordinary legacy he built.”
Under McBride’s leadership, the festival consistently sold out at Fort Adams State Park while attracting both jazz enthusiasts and new audiences.
The Newport Festivals Foundation praised McBride’s impact. “Christian has helped foster a community filled with engagement, collaboration, and joy,” the organization said. “He is leaving us changed for the better.”
McBride said his departure reflects evolving artistic perspectives. “As the festival continues to grow and shift, I’ve come to recognize that my vision is best pursued in other ways,” he said. “I step away with deep gratitude for the experience and pride in what we’ve built together.”
He emphasized his connection to Newport will continue. “Every festival season has been a joy, and I’ll always cherish the moments we created together at Fort Adams. Newport will always be a part of me.”
Before concluding his tenure, McBride will serve as host and musical director for George Wein’s centennial celebration at City Winery in New York City on Oct. 7. Wein, who died in September 2021, founded the festival in 1954.
The foundation has not announced plans for selecting McBride’s successor.
“We wish him the very best in all his pursuits, and can’t wait to welcome him back home to the Newport stage in the future,” the foundation said.