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NJF Presents Solo Piano Concerts at Storyville / Toshiko Akiyoshi Celebrates 60th Anniversary of Performing at Newport Jazz

7/29/2016

 

Alone @ The 88s: Solo Piano at Storyville

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The solo piano setting, the most intimate and intimidating format in jazz, demands a mastery of rhythm, melody, harmony, dynamics and orchestration, with nowhere to hide. And when you are called to play solo piano on a festival stage – especially one as significant at the Newport Jazz Festival – your ability to capture, hold and win the crowd is crucial. The international piano players assembled for the festival’s solo spotlights offer a kaleidoscope of keyboard complexity.
 
Just a couple of years after the birth of the Newport Jazz Festival, a diminutive, Japanese Berklee College pianist named Toshiko Akiyoshi performed a set of no-nonsense, Bud Powell-pranced  bop selections that let the world know she was going to be a force to be reckoned with. Six decades later, Ms. Akiyoshi has more than delivered on her promising potential. This Grammy-winning NEA Jazz Master, along with her husband, the enterprising saxophonist/flutist Lew Tabackin led the Toshiko Akiyoshi-Lew Tabackin Big Band from the seventies to the nineties. It was in that large ensemble that Akiyoshi cemented her reputation as an inventive, first-rate composer, able to combine the distinct musical styles of Duke Ellington, her former employer Charles Mingus, and the rich, ancestral Japanese folk music of her heritage. That brilliant blend of East and West is aurally illustrated on her recordings including Kogun, Sumi-e, and Long Yellow Road. And even though she recorded a number of excellent quartet, trio and solo albums: The Toshiko Trio, Finesse, Toshiko Akiyoshi at Maybeck, and Toshiko Akiyoshi Solo, her composing, bandleading and arranging duties, overshadowed her keyboard prowess.

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The Continuum Continues at Newport Jazz Festival

7/28/2016

 

The Continuum Continues at
​Newport Jazz Festival July 29-31

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NEWPORT, RI, July, 2016 – For six decades, the Newport Jazz Festival has been a showcase of jazz music’s brightest stars. It’s also been a nexus point where the full extent of the music’s continuum; the inventions, dimensions, styles, syncopations, and sonorities, have crossed stylistic musical barriers. Stefon Harris, Robert Glasper and Kamasi Washington exemplify the very essence of that continuum. In the words of Duke Ellington, they are “Beyond Category.”
 
Made in the 20th Century, the vibraphone grew up at the same time jazz took shape and its lineage is a select one: from Lionel Hampton, Milt Jackson, Bobby Hutcherson and Roy Ayers. Vibraphonist/marimba virtuoso Stefon Harris is the next step in that legacy, as evidenced by his sideman dates with everybody from Joe Henderson, Kenny Barron (performs at Newport Jazz Festival on Sunday, July 31) and Steve Turre, to his eclectic, jazz tradition-in-transition recordings he released from 1998: In a Cloud of Red Dust, Black Action Figure, Kindred, The Grand Unification Theory, Evolution, African Tarantella: Dances With Duke, and his latest, Urbanbus. On those recordings, Harris laid down some good vibes on 4/4 swing, go-go, Afro-Latin, R&B, hip-hop grooves. And he’ll no doubt do the same when he takes the Fort Adams State Park stage on Saturday, July 30, with his new ensemble, Sonic Creed, consisting of pianist James Francies, vocalist/flutist Elena Pinderhughes, guitarist Mike Moreno, bassist Joshua Crumbly and drummer Jonathan Pinson. He credits the jazz aesthetic in the Black church for his wide-open approach to the music.


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All Bases Covered at Newport Jazz Festival 

7/28/2016

 

All Bases Covered at Newport Jazz Festival
​July 29-31

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NEWPORT, RI, July 2016 – For the six decades that the Newport Jazz Festival has been on the scene, the greatest bass players in jazz – from Ray Brown, Sam Jones and Ron Carter, to Percy Heath, Charlie Haden and Jaco Pastorius – have reigned as lords of the lower frequencies on its stage. That reign continues with four deacons of the down beat – Christian McBride, Dave Holland, Eric Revis and Ben Williams.
 
The time: 1989. The place: Wynton Marsalis’ New York apartment. The occasion: Marsalis and George Wein – the pianist and Newport Jazz Festival founder/impresario – are engaged in a swinging jam session with a teenage Juilliard bassist from Philadelphia named Christian McBride. As evidenced by his rich and riveting basslines, it was clear to both men that this wunderkind would alter the shape of jazz to come at the change of the century, and beyond. Now, McBride – who made his festival debut in 1991 as a member of The Jazz Futures – returns to Newport on July 29 at the International Tennis Hall of Fame at the Newport Casino and July 30 at Fort Adams State Park as a part of Chick Corea’s Trilogy with the volcanic drummer Brian Blade. His musical heroes range from Ray Brown to James Brown. He’s covered a wide musical spectrum, from straight-ahead and big band, to fusion and R&B on his CDs as a leader, including Number Two Express, Vertical Vision, The Good Feeling, and his Grammy-winning Live at the Village Vanguard. His sideman gigs include playing with Sting days after 9/11 and performing at the White House. He’s also a media host on his radio shows, The Lowdown: Conversations with Christian, on SiriusXM, and National Public Radio’s Jazz Night in America.


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D'Angelico Guitars to Sponsor Newport Jazz Festival

7/28/2016

 

D'Angelico Guitars to Sponsor Newport Jazz Festival


​JULY 28 -- In celebration of their shared musical heritage, D'Angelico Guitars is a proud first-time sponsor of the 2016 Newport Jazz Festival. All in attendance are encouraged to stop by their front-of-house tent to try the instruments, grab free giveaways, and enter to win a guitar. 

Founded in 1932 by master-luthier John D’Angelico, D’Angelico Guitars is a New York City-based luxury guitar brand. Revered for making some of the finest archtop and semi-hollow guitars in the world, D’Angelico is in the midst of a modern resurgence. Reissues and new designs broaden its line every year, while brand presence grows rapidly. 

In their 84 years as a brand, D'Angelico has never formally sponsored the Newport Jazz Festival, one of the most renowned jazz events in the world. As the guitar of choice for jazz legends such as Tony Mottola and modern stars like Kurt Rosenwinkel, the D'Angelico name has always been closely associated with the genre. Now, attendees and artists alike will be able to interact with the brand and its instruments on the festival grounds from July 29-31. 

Natixis Global Asset Management Announces George Wein Jazz Ambassador Scholarship Winners

7/28/2016

 

Natixis Global Asset Management Announces George Wein Jazz Ambassador Scholarship Winners, Celebrates the Next Generation of Jazz at the 2016 Newport Jazz Festival

  • Natixis to present scholarships to William Evans and Samuel Atallah at the Festival
  • Sponsors jazz workshop for students from Boston Public Schools
BOSTON, July 26, 2016 – Natixis Global Asset Management today announced the winners of this year’s George Wein Jazz Ambassador Scholarships are William Evans of Rehoboth, MA and Samuel Atallah of Needham, MA. Natixis created the scholarships six years ago to help enable student musicians to pursue their musical and academic dreams. John Hailer, CEO for the Americas and Asia at Natixis Global Asset Management, will present the scholarships at the 2016 Newport Jazz Festival, where Natixis has been the presenting sponsor since 2011. The festival takes place July 29 through July 31 at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, RI.
 
Natixis, one of the world’s largest asset managers,[1] awards the two $5,000 scholarships annually to two aspiring college-bound musicians as part of its broader commitment to music education and to fostering the next generation of jazz musicians and fans. The scholarships are named in celebration of George Wein, the founder of the Newport Jazz Festival and one of the original jazz ambassadors, who has spent his life working to bring people together through the power of jazz.
 
“Every year we look forward to awarding these scholarships to a new generation of talented young musicians who embody the spirit and energy of jazz and of George Wein, and we hope it will help them become part of the rich culture of jazz for years to come,“ said Hailer, who joined the Newport Festivals Foundation board of directors last year. “We are proud to celebrate another year sponsoring the Newport Jazz Festival and the vibrant history, creativity and unique ability of jazz to bring different cultures together.”

[1]
Cerulli Quantitative Update: Global Markets 2016 ranked Natixis Global Asset Management, S.A. as the 16th largest asset manager in the world based on assets under management ($870.3 billion) as of December 31, 2015.

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Newport Jazz Festival Tickets Still Available for Friday and Sunday

7/28/2016

 

Newport Jazz Festival® Tickets
for Friday and Sunday at Fort Adams
Still Available While Supplies Last

Newport, RI, July 25, 2016 – Tickets are still available for Friday and Sunday concerts for the Newport Jazz Festival® at Fort Adams State Park and the International Tennis Hall of Fame at the Newport Casino.
 
On July 29, don’t miss Friday at the Fort, made possible in part by the generous support of the Rhode Island Foundation, with concerts by some of the jazz world’s brightest new stars. Artists include Kamasi Washington, Galactic, Kneebody, Tierney Sutton, Peter Apfelbaum Sparkler, Etienne Charles & Creole Soul, Donny McCaslin Group, The legendary Heath Brothers and more.
 
On Sunday, July 31, catch Angélique Kidjo, Robert Glasper Experiment, Nels Cline Music from Lovers, Lizz Wright, José James, Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah Presents Stretch Music, Kenny Barron Trio, Charles Lloyd New Quartet, The Anat Cohen Tentet, The Westerlies, an encore performance by Kamasi Washington and many more. 


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Newport Jazz Festival Mobile App and Daily Schedules Available Today

7/13/2016

 
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​Download 2016 Newport Jazz Festival®
​App Today

at Apple App Store or Google Play Store


 
Daily Schedules Also Available at
www.newportjazzfest.org/schedules1.php
​

NEWPORT, RI, July 13, 2016 – The official companion app for the 2016 Newport Jazz Festival® presented by Natixis Global Asset Management goes live today. The mobile app includes performance schedules, customizable schedule, artist profiles and a festival map.
 
To download the app to your mobile device, go to:
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To download and print daily schedules with set times and stages, go to: www.newportjazzfest.org/schedules1.php

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Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc. Announces Schedule for Bridgefest™ 2016 

7/8/2016

 

Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc. Announces Schedule for Bridgefest™ 2016

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Newport Jazz Assembly
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Lois Vaughan
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Doug Woolverton
NEWPORT, RI, July 8 2016 – Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc. announces the schedule for Bridgefest™ 2016, which features concerts and entertainment events presented by  area artists, clubs, restaurants, theaters, museums and other organizations.  The annual celebration of Newport's rich musical heritage, including folk and jazz music, takes place July 25-28, bridging the gap between the iconic Newport Folk Festival™ and Newport Jazz Festival®.  

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Pianist Axel Tosca Celebrates His New Self-titled CD at National Sawdust, Williamsburg, July 28 at 7:00 pm

7/5/2016

 

Pianist Axel Tosca Presents Music from
​His New Self-titled CD

at National Sawdust in Williamsburg
Thursday, July 28, 7:00 pm

National Sawdust
80 North 6th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11249
 
Doors open at 6:00 pm / Concert at 7:00 pm
 
http://nationalsawdust.org/event/jazz-axel-tosca-album-debut/
 (646) 779-8455
 
General Admission Tickets: $22.60 in advance / $28.25 at the door
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NEW YORK, NY, July 5, 2016 ­­– Axel Tosca, the Cuban-born, New York-based piano virtuoso, brings the music from his self-titled ALFI Records album of contemporary jazz with a global reach to life at a one-night only concert on Thursday, July 28, 7:00 pm, at National Sawdust, 80 North 6th Street in Williamsburg/Brooklyn. Making his concert debut as a bandleader while performing the music from his new album live in concert for the first time ever, Tosca will be joined by drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts, bassist Josh Crumbly and a host of special guests from around the world. 

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2016 Newport Jazz Festival® Embraces Caribbean Beats July 29-31

7/5/2016

 

2016 Newport Jazz Festival®
​Embraces Caribbean Beats July 29-31

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Monty Alexander
“The contribution of jazz musicians of Caribbean lineage is as old as jazz itself. The difference with the current generation is their perhaps more overtly prideful embrace of elements of their native culture in their expressions of jazz, reflecting the more ecumenical nature of the 21st Century approach to the genre.” Willard Jenkins, New Music Box, 2014
 
NEWPORT, RI, JULY 5, 2016 – Since the early years, the Newport Jazz Festival has presented musicians from the Caribbean, and three artists at this year’s festival – Monty Alexander, Etienne Charles and Yosvany Terry – provide aural evidence that the “Continent of Islands” is still bringing new inventions and dimensions to the jazz musical melting pot.  

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