Photo of 1954 Newport Jazz Festival via Newport Jazz Festival The first Newport Jazz Festival, known as the First Annual American Jazz Festival, was held on July 17th and July 18th, 1954 at the Newport Casino. The two day event featured academic panel discussions and live music performances from Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Lee Konitz, […]
Newport Jazz Festival
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Newport Jazz Festival unveils 2026 lineup
The Newport Jazz Festival on Tuesday unveiled its 2026 lineup, with specially priced three-day passes going on sale at 1 p.m. ET for 48 hours only. The 72nd annual festival returns to Fort Adams State Park from July 31 to Aug. 2, following three consecutive sellouts. It is produced by the Newport Festivals Foundation. This […]
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71st Newport Jazz Festival opens with student performances, star-studded lineup
NEWPORT, R.I. — The 71st Newport Jazz Festival kicked off Friday at Fort Adams State Park, combining the energy of emerging talent with legendary performers across three days of music that has drawn sold-out crowds to Newport’s iconic waterfront venue. Friday’s opening day featured a unique educational component as high school students from across the […]
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Newport Jazz Festival adds Flying Lotus and Nubya Garcia to 2025 lineup
The Newport Jazz Festival is adding Flying Lotus and Nubya Garcia to its Friday lineup for the 2025 event. This 71st annual festival, happening August 1-3 at Fort Adams State Park, promises a wide range of artists over three days. Grammy-nominated producer Flying Lotus and indie jazz composer and saxophonist Nubya Garcia are joining an […]
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Here are the daily lineups for the 2025 Newport Jazz Festival
This summer, the Newport Jazz Festival will return to Fort Adams State Park for the iconic cultural institution’s 71st edition. One of the longest-running and most storied festivals in America will return on August 1-3, continuing to host once-in-a-lifetime performances that only Newport’s unique blend of intimacy and artistic community can bring. Fans and artists alike return each year to this hallowed […]
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Janelle Monáe, The Roots, and Jacob Collier to headline 2025 Newport Jazz Festival
This summer, the Newport Jazz Festival will return to Fort Adams State Park in Rhode Island for the iconic cultural institution’s 71st edition. One of the longest-running and most storied festivals in America will return August 1-3. It will continue to host once-in-a-lifetime performances that only Newport’s unique alchemy of intimacy and artistic community can bring. Fans and artists alike return each year […]
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Newport Jazz Festival 2025 lineup to be unveiled next week
Get ready, jazz fans! The Newport Jazz Festival is gearing up for its 2025 edition. The Newport Festivals Foundation has just announced that the lineup will be revealed next week, with ticket sales starting soon after. Mark your calendars for August 1-3, 2025, when the festival will take over Fort Adams State Park in Newport. […]
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Newport Jazz Festival 2024: Jazz is alive, well, and thriving – Day 3 recap and photos
Jazz music as a popular art form has been declared dead more than once. But America’s original art form has endured, resurrected on several occasions, each time characterized by a slight change in direction. The core essence of the genre – improvisational music played collaboratively among a group of well-trained musicians – remains at the […]
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Thousands brave the heat for 70th anniversary of Newport Jazz Festival
NEWPORT, R.I. (AP) — A capacity crowd of about 10,000 people braved heat and humidity to witness the 70th anniversary of the Newport Jazz Festival, one of the largest music festivals in New England. The festival, which ends Sunday, is also one of the biggest multi-day jazz festivals in the world. It has brought legions […]
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From Weekly Gig to Newport Jazz: Sunday Jazz’s remarkable journey
Leland Baker and his Sunday Jazz ensemble performed at the Newport Jazz Festival, featuring musicians he met through various configurations in the New England area. All members of the ensemble have played with Baker at the Courtland Club, a Providence cocktail bar. “We’re definitely so honored and grateful to be here on this sacred ground,” […]
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What’s Up Interview: Trumpeter Riley Mulherkar talks about Newport experience and debut album
Riley Mulherkar is a trumpeter, community activist, and 2020 recipient of Lincoln Center’s Emerging Artist Award who played Newport Jazz on Saturday, August 3. His debut album, Riley, has been described by DownBeat Magazine as “über hip, modern yet timeless.” What’sUpNewp spoke with Mulherkar after his set on the Harbor Stage. “This place is really […]
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Newport Jazz Festival 2024: Classic jazz and new beats – Day 2 recap and photos
Day two at the 2024 Newport Jazz Festival saw a continuation of a trend that began on Day one. That trend saw both new and veteran acts bringing their A-game to the historic happening at Fort Adams State Park. The 70th annual festival saw another banner day, with rising stars blending in brilliantly alongside several […]
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Bike Newport founder highlights growth in Newport Folk & Jazz Festival cycling
Bike Newport is experiencing a steady flow of cyclists at the Newport Jazz Festival, with 350 bikes counted on Friday, according to Bari Freeman, Executive Director and Founder of the organization. While the numbers are lower compared to the Newport Folk Festival held last week, which saw up to 1,800 bikes per day, Freeman says […]
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New protected Bike Lane improves safety during Newport Folk Festival
A new protected bike lane on Harrison Avenue significantly improved safety for cyclists attending the Newport Folk Festival, with organizers considering making it a permanent feature for future events. The dedicated two-way bike lane, implemented through collaboration between Bike Newport and local police, addressed safety concerns on a steep section of the road where cyclists […]
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Newport Jazz Festival 2024: This is not your grandfather’s festival – Day 1 recap and photos
The 70th Anniversary of the historic Newport Jazz Festival kicked off on Friday August 2 at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, RI. A sellout crowd saw a warm summer day usher in cool vibes that rained down on musicians and attendees. Good feels were abundant. There was great jazz of course, but there was […]
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Newport Jazz Festival opens doors to Newport’s youth
The Newport Jazz Festival is expanding its student outreach program, offering free tickets to Rogers High School seniors for the second consecutive year. Dan Swain, Director of Development and Programs for Newport Festivals Foundation, says the initiative aims to cultivate lifelong jazz fans among the younger generation. “We started last year offering any senior student […]
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Newport Folk & Jazz Festival’s Family Tent evolves with local nonprofit partnerships
The Newport Festivals Foundation is enhancing the family experience at its Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals with a revamped Family Tent featuring local nonprofits and hands-on activities for children. Dan Swain, Director of Development and Programs for the Newport Festivals Foundation, says the idea for the new format emerged about two or three years ago […]
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Newport Police share traffic management plan for Newport Jazz Festival weekend
Ahead of the sold-out Newport Jazz Festival, the Newport Police Department is sharing details on their plans to control traffic to and from Fort Adams State Park and around the city. Newport Police Department today shared the following press release; Newport Police Department Implements Traffic Management Plan to Enhance Festival Experience Newport, RI – […]
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“Six Picks” Newport Jazz Edition – Don’t miss these sets at the historic festival this weekend
The Newport Jazz Festival is back! Founded 70 years ago, the historic festival at Fort Adams State Park begins Friday, August 2, and runs through Sunday, August 4. With over 50 performances on the schedule, every fan has their favorite. Below are my “Six Picks” for 2024 with an important reminder – like last weekend’s […]
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What’s Up Interview: Kamasi Washington, headlining the Newport Jazz Festival on Friday, August 2
NOTE: Portions of this story were originally published in May 2023. Kamasi Washington exists on the cutting edge of jazz. He is the avant-garde, who along with a group of fellow visionaries, is setting the tone in the jazz world. Like Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Ornette Coleman, Washington’s music transcends what came before, pushing […]
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City of Newport offers water safety tips ahead of Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals
With Newport’s Folk and Jazz Festivals just around the corner, City of Newport officials are offering safety tips and reminders for those planning to spend time on the water. Newport city officials are advising those planning to spend time on the water during the upcoming Folk and Jazz Festivals to wear a life jacket, headlamp, […]
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Only Friday and Sunday single-day tickets remain for the 2024 Newport Jazz Festival
This summer, the Newport Jazz Festival will return to Fort Adams State Park in Rhode Island to celebrate a major milestone—the iconic cultural institution’s 70th Anniversary. One of the longest-running and most storied festivals in America will return August 2-4, where it will continue to host once-in-a-lifetime performances that only Newport’s unique alchemy of intimacy […]
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2024 Newport Jazz Festival lineup announced
This summer the Newport Jazz Festival will return to Fort Adams State Park in Rhode Island to celebrate a major milestone – the iconic cultural institution’s 70th Anniversary. One of the longest running and most storied festivals in America will return August 2-4 where it will continue to host once in a lifetime performances that only Newport’s unique alchemy of intimacy and artistic community […]
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Newport Jazz Festival to celebrate 70th Anniversary in 2024; tickets and lineup will be released on April 9
The Newport Jazz Festival returns to Fort Adams State Park in August for its 70th Anniversary celebration, which will take place from August 2 to 4. Specially priced three-day general admission tickets go on sale on Tuesday, April 9, at 1 p.m., the same time Newport Jazz Festival will release the 2024 lineup. All three-day, […]
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Registration is now open for The Newport Jazz Summer Camp at Salve Regina University
The Newport Jazz Summer Camp at Salve Regina University is an exciting opportunity for high school students ages 14-18 to learn from professional musicians and music professors. This year’s camp, in partnership with the Newport Festivals Foundation, will include master performance classes focusing on jazz theory and improvisation, small ensembles, and big bands, culminating in a […]
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What’s Up Interview: We speak with Rising Stars at the Newport Jazz Festival
What’s Up Newp sat down with a trio of young artists at the Newport Jazz Festival last weekend. We met Matthew Whitaker, Julius Rodriguez and members of Butcher Brown at the festival. Here’s what they had to say. Butcher Brown Butcher Brown, a band of five artists from Richmond, Virginia, played the Quad Stage at […]
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What’s Up Interview: Late-night bandleader Louis Cato at the 2023 Newport Jazz Festival
You may know him best as the leader of The Late Show band supporting Stephen Colbert on CBS five nights a week. Jazz musician Louis Cato has been with the show since its inception in 2015, and has performed with artists as diverse as Snarky Puppy, Jon Batiste, Q-Tip and A Tribe Called Quest. We […]
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Newport Jazz Day 3: 2023 Festival ends on a high note
The Newport Jazz Festival had something for everyone this year, featuring dozens of artists performing in various sub-genres of jazz all weekend long. Sunday, August 6th had it all including funky rhythms from The Soul Rebels, pristine throwback vocals from Grammy-winning singer Samara Joy, and Cuban-influenced funk from Cimafunk. The final day of music also […]
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2023 Newport Jazz Festival: Day 2 Photo Gallery
A sold-out crowd for Day 2 of the 2023 Newport Jazz Festival was served some of the best music anywhere on the planet. From a Coltrane-inspired set from legend Charles Lloyd to the high-energy antics of jazz and folk festival veteran Jon Batiste, the day was filled was one great set after another. Check out […]
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2023 Newport Jazz Festival kicks off with new voices – Recap and photos from Day 1
The 2023 Newport Jazz Festival kicked off on Friday, August 4, before a near-sellout crowd comprised of the youngest jazz festival audience in recent memory. What brought the younger crowd to Fort Adams? A slew of contemporary artists who shatter the mold of traditional jazz, bringing fresh voices and new ideas to America’s original art […]
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‘Six Picks’ Special: Who to see at the 2023 Newport Jazz Festival
Newport, Rhode Island is at the center of the music world again this weekend when the “City by the Sea” welcomes the Newport Jazz Festival to town. Founded in 1954, the original outdoor music festival returns with a stellar lineup, which includes jazz legends, rising stars, and local heroes. Here are “Six Picks” not-to-be-missed this […]
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Newport Jazz Festival announces late substitution – Branford Marsalis to perform Friday, August 4
The Newport Jazz Festival today announced a late replacement for the opening day of the Festival, this Friday, August 4. Saxophonist Branford Marsalis will replace Kamasi Washington, who is unable to attend. Festival officials provided this update on Tuesday afternoon: ARTIST UPDATE: Something unforeseen has come up that will prevent Kamasi Washington from performing his […]
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RI high school students to perform at the 2023 Newport Jazz Festival
The Rhode Island Music Education Association (RIMEA) is proud to announce that 11 high school students from Rhode Island have been invited to perform at this year’s world-renowned Newport Jazz Festiva from August 4 – 6 at Fort Adams State Park in Newport. The 11 students include: Jason Buka on bass, Moses Densley on saxophone and Miles […]
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What’s Up Interview: Jazz great Kamasi Washington, playing City Winery and Newport Jazz Festival
Kamasi Washington exists on the cutting edge of jazz. He is the avant-garde, who, along with a group of collaborators, is setting the tone in the jazz world. Like Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Ornette Coleman, Washington’s music transcends what came before, pushing the genre’s needle forward. I was fortunate to speak with the Grammy-nominated […]
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Newport Jazz Festival announces 2023 lineup, tickets now on sale
The legendary Newport Jazz Festival will return to Fort Adams State Park in Newport this summer. One of America’s most important and enduring cultural institutions will return for its 69th Anniversary, where it will continue to hold space for the once-in-a-lifetime performances that only Newport’s unique alchemy of intimacy and artistic community can bring. This year’s event will […]
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Tickets for the 2023 Newport Jazz Festival will go on sale on March 22
This summer, the legendary Newport Jazz Festival will return to Fort Adams State Park for its 69th Anniversary! Newport Jazz Festival today announced that 3-day tickets for this year’s event, which will take place August 4-6, will go on sale on Wednesday, March 22. General on-sale of 3-day tickets begins Wednesday, March 22nd at 1 pm via DICE. Single-day tickets and full line-up will be […]
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WUN-ON-ONE: A conversation with Jay Sweet and Dan Swain, Newport Festivals Foundation
Jay Sweet and Dan Swain, the Executive Director and Development Director of Newport Festivals Foundation, joined What’sUpNewp today for a conversation about the Foundation, the Newport Folk Festival, Newport Jazz Festival, and more. You can listen to our conversation here, or watch and listen below. More About The Newport Festivals Foundation Newport Festivals Foundation is […]
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Vinyl Release: ‘The Philadelphia Experiment Live at Newport Jazz’ is out this week
Today the Newport Jazz Festival announces the release of The Philadelphia Experiment Live at Newport Jazz. Captured live at the 2017 Newport Jazz Festival in their 5th ever performance, The Philadelphia Experiment celebrates a collaborative project featuring bassist Christian McBride, drummer Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, pianist Uri Caine and, in this performance, DJ Logic. Newport Festival Foundation members […]
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What’s Up Interview: Samara Joy shines at 2022 Newport Jazz Festival
Among the many highlights at last weekend’s Newport Jazz Festival was the Festival debut of Samara Joy, a 22-year-old jazz vocalist who played the Harbor Stage Saturday afternoon. I sat down with the NYC-based singer for a brief chat just before she took the stage. It was her first time at the festival, and Joy, […]
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2022 Newport Jazz Festival: Shift in direction – Day 3 recap and photos
Sunday, July 31 concluded three days of fun in the sun at the historic Newport Jazz Festival at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, RI. Post pandemic, the full return of the festival was well attended, selling out on Saturday with near sell-outs Friday and Sunday. Whether intended or not, the theme of this year’s […]
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2022 Newport Jazz Festival – Day 2 recap and photos
A sell-out crowd squeezed into Fort Adams State Park Saturday, July 30 for Day 2 of the 2022 Newport Jazz Festival. Once again it was a day for youth to shine, as well as one that saw women artists taking charge. There was more energy in the line-up than ever before behind bands like Sons […]
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2022 Newport Jazz Festival off to a great start – Day 1 recap and photos
Jazz is back at Fort Adams. The 2022 Newport Folk Festival kicked off on Friday, July 29 with a diverse lineup that included some new names along with some familiar artists. In recent years, the Friday program has introduced younger artists to the festival crowd – this year’s program was no different. A series of […]
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‘Six Picks’ Events: What to do in RI this weekend (July 29-31)
It’s officially mid-summer, and before you know it … Don’t even think about finishing that thought! Here are a few good ways to spend the upcoming weekend. We present “Six Picks” Events – have a grea wekeend! Thursday: Art Night Bristol is a tradition that includes gallery and studio tours in the seaside town. The […]
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‘Six Picks’ Newport Jazz: ‘Not to be missed’ sets at this weekend’s Newport Jazz Festival
The 2022 Newport Jazz Festival arrives this weekend! The festival features a truly phenomenal line up with diverse acts representing numerous genres, all connecting to jazz on some level. These bands like to have fun, an expressed goal of festival Artistic Director and 2022 performer Christian McBride. Very few tickets remain – the festival is […]
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Newport Folk & Jazz Festival teams with 11th Hour Racing on sustainability initiatives
11th Hour Racing today announced its new role as the Environmental Awareness Sponsor of the Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals. “Widely considered two of the most treasured cultural institutions in American history, for over 60 years, the Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals have shown that music can positively impact the communities and lives it touches,” […]
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Newport Jazz Festival tickets will be available to purchase at Fort Adams Trust beginning June 27
Newport Jazz Festival tickets will be available for purchase in person in Newport beginning next week. Fort Adams Trust’s Visitors Center & Gift Shop at Fort Adams State Park will begin offering the tickets on Monday, June 27. There are no additional or online fees when buying the tickets in person. Ticket prices are $79 […]
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Musings from Newport Jazz Festival artists on the past, present, and future of jazz on International Jazz Day
Happy International Jazz Day! Established by the United Nations in 2011 at the initiative of UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock, International Jazz Day brings together communities around the world every April 30th. This year’s theme for International Jazz Day is “A Call for Global Peace and Unity.” The day is recognized in over 180 countries […]
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Newport Jazz Festival announces 2022 lineup
The Newport Jazz Festival today announced its 2022 line-up along with a tribute to late Newport Jazz and Newport Folk Festival Founder George Wein featuring very special guests to be announced. The Newport Jazz Festival returns to Fort Adams State Park, July 29 – 31. This year’s festival features Norah Jones, Esperanza Spalding, The Fearless Flyers, Angelique […]
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Newport Jazz Festival 2022 lineup to be announced on March 24
Save The Date Newport Jazz Festival today announced that they will be announcing this year’s lineup and will be putting 3-Day general admission tickets and 3-Day student tickets on sale this Thursday, March 24 at 11 AM. The 2022 Newport Jazz Festival is scheduled for Friday, July 29 to Sunday, July 31 at Fort Adams […]
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Newport Festivals Foundation offering free afterschool music program to Aquidneck Island high school students
Registration is now open for the Newport Festivals Workshops Program, a free, virtual afterschool music program created by Newport Festivals Foundation, which produces the Newport Folk and Newport Jazz Festivals. According to a press release from Newport Festivals Foundation, the workshops will be taught by professional musicians and music industry professionals about Songwriting, Audio Engineering, Music Industry […]
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History in the Making: George Wein, Newport Jazz and the Civil Rights Movement
Note: In 2015, Lifestyle Editor Ken Abrams prepared this piece for the Newport Jazz Festival blog. We’re re-posting an edited version today in honor of the late George Wein. Daily headlines remind us that the nation is still struggling with its legacy of slavery, prejudice, and discrimination. The Newport Jazz Festival (along with its sister […]
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Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals announce 2022 dates
Time to plan ahead. Newport Folk and Jazz Festival organizers today announced the dates for the 2022 events. The Folk Festival will be held at Fort Adams State Park July 22-24, 2022, and the Jazz Festival is scheduled for July 29-31, 2022. With the expectation of full capacity events next summer, it’s notable the Folk […]
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Newport Jazz 2021 – Day 3 Recap and Photos (August 1)
Newport Jazz wrapped up a sold-out weekend on Sunday. The day included performances from Brandee Younger, Charles Lloyd, Robert Glasper, Kenny Barron, Andra Day, and several groups. Before introducing Brandee Younger and her beautiful gold harp to kick things off on the Lawn Stage, Artistic Director Christian McBride said, “The beautiful thing about this festival […]
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Newport Jazz 2021 – Day 2 Recap and Photos (July 31)
Day 2 of the 2021 Newport Jazz Festival was as close to perfect as live music can be. A Covid-required half-capacity gathering saw one of the better days the Festival has produced in several years – the weather was exceptional and good vibes were everywhere. Musical highlights included opener Danielle Ponder who shared a strong […]
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What’sUpNewp Interview: Christian McBride, Artistic Director of Newport Jazz
Newport Jazz 2021 has certainly been a major success. With leading artists like Andra Day, Trombone Shorty, and Mavis Staples, sold-out shows, and perfect weather, 2021 will be a Festival to remember. Still, the jazz genre often struggles commercially as a popular art form. So what’s the best way to strengthen jazz music and build […]
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Newport Jazz 2021 – Day 1 Recap and Photos (July 30)
It was a picture-perfect summer day Friday at Fort Adams State Park, where “Newport Jazz Presents,” the 2021 version of the Newport Jazz Festival, kicked off in style. The Festival was downsized this year due to the pandemic – approximately half the usual number of tickets were sold and music was heard on only two […]
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“Six Picks” Music – 2021 Newport Jazz Edition
Due to the pandemic, this year’s model of the Newport Jazz Festival will be a bit smaller than usual. The iconic Festival will feature two main stages and a reduced capacity crowd of around 5000. Still, organizers have managed to pull together a stellar lineup of well know favorites and emerging artists. Meanwhile, we’ve got […]
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Newport Festivals: Bike Newport ready to assist riders at Fort Adams beginning Friday, July 23
WhatsUpNewp’s Folk and Jazz Festival coverage is brought to you by the Midtown Oyster Bar. If you’ve ever tried to exit the Newport Folk or Jazz Festival by car at the end of a day of music, you know patience is a virtue, and cyclists come first. Although it’s not quite the Tour de France peloton, […]
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Newport Folk tickets will go on sale on May 18; events will be capped at 50% capacity
Newport Festivals Foundation, the 501(c)(3) profit organization that produces the Newport Folk Festival and Newport Jazz Festival, today announced plans for Newport Folk Presents Folk On 2021. Scheduled as two 3-day events to take place July 23 – 25 and July 26- 28, Newport Folk may not look the same, but it will feel the […]
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2021 dates, details announced for Newport Folk and Newport Jazz
It’s getting even more official. This summer, Newport Folk and Newport Jazz will return to Fort Adams State Park. Newport Festivals Foundation, producers of the the Newport Folk Festival and Newport Jazz Festival announced some dates and details on Thursday. “Though Newport Folk and Newport Jazz won’t look exactly the same, we are thrilled to […]
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Newport Folk Festival, Newport Jazz Festival planning to return this summer
Attention Newport Folk Festival and Newport Jazz Festival fans, there’s hope, positive news, and/or reasons to be excited. Governor Dan McKee today announced during his weekly COVID-19 press briefing that he is working closely with organizers of the Newport Folk Festival and Newport Jazz Festival on a plan that allows them to host safe events […]
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Newport Jazz Festival to Present Highsnobiety Jazz TV Oct. 26-28
Highsnobiety and Newport Jazz Festival are pleased to announce Highsnobiety Jazz TV – a three-day content experience that will turn Highsnobiety’s digital platform into a public access television station dedicated to the art form of Jazz. Launching TODAY, October 26, and running through October 28, the program will feature a line-up of performances, DJ sets, […]
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What’s Up Interview: Catching up with Newport Jazz Festival Fave Grace Kelly
No doubt, it’s been a rough summer for music fans around Newport. Among other things, we’ve missed out on the artistry and excitement of the many festivals that take place on the island each year. No one has missed it more, however; than the artists who play the Festivals. Grace Kelly, a fan favorite at […]
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Watch “Jazz on a Summer’s Day” to Benefit the Newport Festivals Foundation
Filmed at the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival and directed by world-renowned photographer Bert Stern, Jazz on a Summer’s Day features intimate performances by an all-star line-up of musical legends including Louis Armstrong, Thelonious Monk, Gerry Mulligan, Anita O’Day, Chuck Berry, Dinah Washington, and closes with a beautiful rendition of “The Lord’s Prayer” by Mahalia Jackson […]
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Newport Jazz Festival Announces Newport Jazz Revival 2020
George Wein, the 94 year old creator and founder of Newport Jazz Festival – one of the oldest and longest running music festivals in the world has announced a full slate of programming for what would have been 2020’s Newport Jazz Festival weekend. “I’d hoped to meet my many friends and fans at the Fort […]
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2020 Newport Folk Festival, Newport Jazz Festival cancelled amid COVID-19 concerns
Two more events have fallen victim to COVID-19 – the 2020 Newport Folk Festival and 2020 Newport Jazz Festival. Governor Raimondo made the news official during her daily press briefing this afternoon when she announced that she doesn’t see it possible in any way to hold large events this summer. The Governor said in her […]
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Ten “Don’t Miss” Acts at the Newport Jazz Festival
The historic Newport Jazz Festival starts tomorrow and runs through the weekend of August 2-4. Over 60 acts ranging from fusion to hip-hop will be performing. We’ve made some picks of those artists you won’t want to miss. Of course, there’s so much good music at the Festival, you can’t go wrong on any stage. […]
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Young Bands Make the Scene at Newport Jazz Festival
“Wow… Spectacular… As good as any band at the Festival.” Those were just some of the comments overheard at the Newport Jazz Festival all weekend following sets by high school and college students from across New England and around the world. In addition to the URI Jazz Band led by Joe Parillo, two other acts, […]
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PHOTOS: Sunday at the 2018 Newport Jazz Festival
(Pictured: Jazzmeia Horn, Photo: Ken Abrams) With Saturday’s rain seeming like an ancient memory (except for the occasional mud patch), Newport Jazz 2018 concluded on an upbeat note. The performances ranged from traditional jazz to modern funk, with pretty much everything in between. Day 3 highlights included a beautiful set from singer Jazzmeia Horn, the […]
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Photos: Saturday at the 2018 Newport Jazz Festival
(Pictured: Grace Kelly, Photo: Ken Abrams) A near-biblical deluge didn’t dampen the spirits of those in attendance at the Newport Jazz Festival on Saturday. From headliners Jose James, Andra Day and Grace Kelly to newcomers like the URI Jazz Orchestra, good vibes rules the day. Check out a few or our favorite pictures below.
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Photos: Friday at the Newport Jazz Festival
The vibes were smooth as the Newport Jazz Festival kicked off another year Friday at Fort Adams. The youth movement in Jazz continued to dominate with stellar performances from artists including Sonnymoom, BADBADNOTGOOD and Cory Henry and the Funk Apostles. Veteran artists showed off their chops as well, with great sets from the Charles Lloyd […]
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Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals support local music programs
The Newport Festivals Foundation continues to expand its educational mission in Rhode Island and neighboring states. The Foundation, established in 2011, oversees charitable programs for the Folk and Jazz Festivals. We spoke with Deborah Ross, Educational Director for the Foundation, who oversees the educational programming. “I found out at the Folk Festival that a lot […]
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Six Picks: 2018 Newport Jazz Festival Edition
(Above: Andra Day) The fabled Newport Jazz Festival returns this weekend. The original outdoor popular music festival has a spectacular line up as always. Old labels do not apply – like the Folk Festival, there is an incredible variety of music. Here are six favorites to start you off… Charles Lloyd All Weekend The heralded […]
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WhatsUp Interview: Jose James Brings the Music of Bill Withers to Newport Jazz
Bill Withers is hot. Everybody seems to be piling well-deserved praise onto the 80-year-old man and his music. A year after the Newport Folk Festival presented a special set dedicated to the legend who wrote “Ain’t No Sunshine,” the Jazz Festival is presenting a set entitled “Lean On Me: José James Celebrates Bill Withers.” It’s […]
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Newport Jazz Festival Announces 2018 Artist-in-Residence Charles Lloyd
WIth the first wave of artist announcements expected next week, an e-mail earlier today from Newport Jazz Festival Producer George Wein introduced this year’s Artist-in-Residence, Charles Lloyd. The saxophonist will appear all three days at the festival, with a different act each day. Read Wein’s e-mail below for further details. “It was late one summer […]
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Photo Gallery: Day 3 of the 2017 Newport Jazz Festival
Newport Jazz 2017 is in the books. Day 3 at the Newport Jazz Festival Presented by Natixis Global Asset Management featured perfect weather, a near sell-out crowd, and an international presence on stage. From the gypsy guitar influenced sounds of French singer Cyrille Aimée to the Creole vibe of Bokante, Sunday’s sets explored the mainstream […]
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Photo Gallery: Day 2 of the 2017 Newport Jazz Festival (Pictured: George Wein)
Mother Nature tried but failed to dampen spirits of Jazz fans Saturday in Newport. The revered Newport Jazz Festival was in full gear despite a few early rain showers. The music went on with no interruptions and featured fine performances all around. America’s first outdoor popular music festival was back for Day 2 with original […]
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Photo Gallery: Day 1 of the 2017 Newport Jazz Festival
The Newport Jazz Festival kicked off its 2017 festivities with a full day of music at Fort Adams State Park, followed by an evening concert with Rhiannon Giddens and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue at the International Tennis Hall Of Fame. Although Friday is the lightest attended day of the three-day annual festival, those who […]
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Six Picks – Newport Jazz Edition
The Newport Jazz Festival arrives this weekend. 31 of the 50+ bands performing are new to the Festival this year, and many of them further expand the boundaries of jazz music. “America’s original art form” has had a home in Newport since 1954 and the tradition continues with an impressive line-up this year. With respect […]
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Interview: Grammy Winning Artist Rhiannon Giddens Coming to Newport Folk and Jazz Festival
Next weekend, Rhiannon Giddens joins a select group of musicians who have played both the Newport Folk and Newport Jazz Festival in the same year. She follows Norah Jones who accomplished the feat last year, and bandleader Jon Batiste who played both events in 2015. Rhiannon Giddens Plays Newport Folk Sunday (Photo: John Peets) Needless […]
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Folk Festival Set to Begin Next Week – Behind the Scenes at Fort Adams
With just a week to go until 10,000 eager folks show up at the gate, Fort Adams State Park is getting all dressed up for festival season. The Newport Folk Festival arrives Friday July 28th, and WhatsUpNewp got a behind the scenes look at some of the preparations. We found stages partially built, a handful […]
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Newport Jazz Festival Releases First Wave of 2017 Lineup
With specially-priced Flex Tickets and Early Bird Multi-Day Passes already sold out, Producer/Founder George Wein and Artistic Director Christian McBride have announced the first wave of artists for the 2017 Newport Jazz Festival® presented by Natixis Global Asset Management, which takes place at Fort Adams State Park and the International Tennis Hall of Fame at […]
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Singers Will Tell Their Stories Through Song at Newport Jazz Festival
No matter the era, idiom or genre, jazz singers have always been the most popular and accessible practitioners of the music. From Louis Armstrong’s down-home, gravely vocals and Nat King Cole’s satin sounds, to Sarah Vaughan’s Afro-operatic airs, Billie Holiday’s dark-and-lovely depths, Ella Fitzgerald’s swing-at-the-speed-of-bop phrasing and Frank Sinatra’s dynamic delivery, it is the vocalist […]
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Christian McBride Named Artistic Director of Newport Jazz Festival
Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc.™ Appoints Bassist Christian McBride As Artistic Director of Newport Jazz Festival For the first time in its 62-year history, the world-renowned Newport Jazz Festival® will have a musician other than pianist/producer George Wein as its artistic director. Multiple Grammy-winning bassist Christian McBride has been named artistic director to work alongside, and […]
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2016 Newport Jazz Festival Rolling Lineup Announcements
The Newport Festivals Foundation continues to slowly roll out the 2016 Newport Jazz Festival lineup. This year’s event will take place from July 29-31 at Fort Adams State Park and the International Tennis Hall of Fame at the Newport Casino. $59 Flex Tickets are currently on sale and can be used for General Admission to concerts at Fort […]
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Newport-Area Residents Get First Chance to Buy Tickets For Newport Jazz Festival Opening Night
Be among the first to get tickets to one of the city’s most popular summer social events when Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc.™ offers area residents a 24-hour head start to purchase tickets for the Friday night concert of the Newport Jazz Festival® presented by Natixis Global Asset Management and the annual pre-concert cocktail party on the Horseshoe […]
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Newport Jazz Festival Announces First Dozen of 2016 Acts
Over the last few weeks the Newport Jazz Festival has slowly been announcing who will take the stage on July 29-31 at Fort Adams State Park and the International Tennis Hall of Fame at the Newport Casino. As of Wednesday, January 6th Newport Jazz Festival has announced at least 12 different acts that will perform at the 62nd edition […]
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VIDEO: Newport Jazz Festival Featured in January 3rd 60 Minutes Story About Joey Alexander
“Joey Alexander plays jazz like a veteran of decades, but he’s just 12 years old.” Anderson Cooper reports on the jazz prodigy for CBS’s 60 Minutes. Joey Alexander is the youngest person ever to be invited to play the legendary Newport Jazz Festival. In 2015, he performed twice at Fort Adams – once on the […]
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Newport Jazz Festival Favorite Natalie Cole Has Passed Away
VIDEO: Watch Her 1986 Newport Jazz Festival Performance Singer Natalie Cole died on December 31st, 2015 at the age of 65 according to her publicist. Natalie Maria Cole was an American singer, songwriter, and performer. The daughter of Nat King Cole, Natalie rose to musical success in the mid-1970s as an R&B artist with the hits […]
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Give the Gift of Jazz: Discounted Flex Tickets for 2016 Newport Jazz Festival Now Available
Surprise someone with the Gift of Jazz – an unforgettable trip to the 2016 Newport Jazz Festival. To help with the surprise, the Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc.™ is offering flexible (Flex) tickets priced at just $59 for the holiday season. Kamasi Washington The Gift of Jazz comes with the music of Chick Corea, Angelique Kidjo, Kamasi Washington andTierney Sutton as well as […]
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Kamasi Washington Will Perform at 2016 Newport Jazz Festival
Photo: Kamasi Washington via Facebook The Newport Jazz Festival may be 8 months from now but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be grabbing your tickets to the legendary festival as well as paying attention to the lineup. George Wein announced on Tuesday, December 1st that Kamasi Washington, a tenor saxophonist from Los Angeles, will be […]
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Newport Jazz Festival Flex Tickets are Back
Jazz fans can get a head start on their summer plans by purchasing flexible discount tickets to the 2016 Newport Jazz Festival®presented by Natixis Global Asset Management, which is set for July 29 – 31. Tickets are available while supplies last at www.newportjazzfest.org and at the Newport Visitor Information Center, 23 America’s Cup Avenue, beginning […]
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Flex Tickets for 2016 Newport Jazz Festival Set to go on Sale on October 27th
The time has come to start thinking about the next Newport Jazz Festival as a limited number of Flex Tickets for the 2016 event will go on sale on Tuesday, October 27th. The 2016 Newport Jazz Festival is scheduled for July 29th, 30th and 31st. “Flex” means that you can buy a ticket at a […]
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In Photos: Day 3 of 2015 Newport Jazz Festival
The 2015 Newport Jazz Festival wrapped up on Sunday, August 2nd, here’s a look at some of our favorite moments [Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”8″ gal_title=”2015 Newport Jazz Festival Day 3″] The 2016 Newport Jazz Festival is scheduled for July 29, 30 and 21st!
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Here’s What’s Happening on Day 3 of Newport Jazz Festival
Day #3 of the 2015 Newport Jazz Festival presented by Natixis Global Asset Management will take place today at Fort Adams State Park. Gates will open at 10am this morning and music will begin at 11:05 a.m. on the Harbor Stage. Navy Band Northeast will entertain those waiting for the gates to open from 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. […]
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In Photos: Day 2 of 2015 Newport Jazz Festival
Photo: George Wein by Ryan Belmore Here’s a look at day 2 of the 2015 Newport Jazz Festival… [Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”7″ gal_title=”2015 Newport Jazz Festival Day 2″] The 61st Newport Jazz Festival at Fort Adams State Park will feature Jon Batiste and Stay Human, Jamie Cullum, Cassandra Wilson, Dr. John, Arturo Sandoval, Jack DeJohnette’s Made in […]
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Here’s What’s Happening on Day 2 of Newport Jazz Festival
Photo of Jon Batiste by Morgan Macia Day #2 of the 2015 Newport Jazz Festival presented by Natixis Global Asset Management will take place today at Fort Adams State Park. Gates will open at 10am this morning and music will begin at 11:05 a.m. on the Harbor Stage. The 61st Newport Jazz Festival at Fort Adams State Park will […]
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In Photos: Day 1 of 2015 Newport Jazz Festival
Photo: George Wein by Ryan Belmore The 61st Newport Jazz Festival got underway today at Fort Adams State Park with the University of Rhode Island Newport Big Band opening the day and Snarky Puppy closing out the day. Friday of Newport Jazz Festival is dedicated to featuring young and emerging jazz artists, 15 talented and […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Here’s What’s Happening on Day 1 of Newport Jazz Festival
Day #1 of the 2015 Newport Jazz Festival presented by Natixis Global Asset Management will take place today at Fort Adams State Park and the International Tennis Hall Of Fame. Gates will open at 10am this morning and music will begin at 11:05 a.m. on the Harbor Stage. The 61st Newport Jazz Festival at Fort Adams State Park will […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Navy Band Northeast Brass Band Added to 2015 Newport Jazz Festival Experience
Photo by MU3 Natalie Beard Two of Newport’s most beloved and iconic organizations — the Newport Jazz Festival and the U.S. Navy – will unite during the 2015 Jazz Festival to greet Festival goers entering Fort Adams State Park. On Saturday, August 1, and Sunday, August 2, from 9:00 amto 10:15 am, Navy Band Northeast […]