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Newport Festivals Foundation Donates Musical Instruments to Students at Gladstone Elementary School, Cranston

10/4/2017

Newport Festivals Foundation Brought the Gift of Music to Gladstone Elementary School with Donation of 16 Instruments

Gladstone Elementary School students celebrate their new instruments with their music teacher, Jonathan Cox, and Ben Marcoux, Newport Jazz Assembly band leader (Back Row). Photo by Jack Casey

NEWPORT, RI, October 4, 2017 – Sixteen music students at Gladstone Elementary School in Cranston were smiling brightly when Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc., which produces the Newport Jazz Festival® and Newport Folk Festival®, brought the gift of music – one cello plus three violins, violas, clarinets, trumpets and flutes – to the school auditorium on Thursday, September 28.

"Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc. strives to educate young people about the music of its famous festivals. Part of that education includes offering students the opportunity to experience making music,” said Deborah Ross, the Foundation’s Director of Education. “We are happy to work with local public schools, who still have music programs, to give kids the chance to express themselves in ways that complement reading, writing and arithmetic."

Chico Freeman to Perform at The Village Vanguard, The Side Door, Scullers & AACM in October

10/4/2017

Chico Freeman Comes Home to the Village Vanguard October 17-22, Including Tribute to Arthur Blythe
Freeman Also Set to Perform at AACM NYC, Scullers & The Side Door in October

New York, NY, September 18, 2017 – Never one to be typecast to a particular style of jazz, saxophonist and composer Chico Freeman presents an eclectic and diverse program of dates in October, including the Village Vanguard and the AACM in New York, The Side Door in Old Lyme, CT and Scullers in Boston.
On Friday, October 6, Chico Freeman reunites with old friend and music companion, vibraphonist Jay Hoggard (Kings of Mali, No Time Left, Peaceful Heart, Gentle Spirit) along with Kenny Davis on bass and Reggie Nicholson on drums for the opening season concert of the AACM New York City Chapter, Inc. “I’m honored to be performing this date, especially because my teacher and mentor, NEA Jazz Master Muhal Richard Abrams invited me.”

Natixis Global Asset Management Awards Seventh Annual George Wein Jazz Ambassador Scholarship to R.I. and Mass. Students

8/2/2017

Natixis Global Asset Management Awards Seventh Annual George Wein Jazz Ambassador Scholarship to R.I. and Mass. Students

Scholarships will be presented to Elena Serrano of Providence (R.I.) and Jeffrey Pinsker-Smith of Wellesley (Mass.) during the 2017 Newport Jazz Festival

BOSTON, Aug. 2, 2017 – Natixis Global Asset Management today announced the winners of this year’s George Wein Jazz Ambassador Scholarships are Elena Serrano of Providence, R.I., and Jeffrey Pinsker-Smith of Wellesley, Mass. Since 2011, Natixis has provided scholarships to students who have shown tremendous musical ability, strong academic achievement, and a commitment to giving back to their communities. The scholarships will be presented by David Giunta, CEO of Natixis Global Asset Management for the U.S. and Canada, during the 2017 Newport Jazz Festival which takes place Aug. 4 through Aug. 6 at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, R.I.

Philly funk and jazz take a trip to Newport and spark a reunion ...

8/2/2017

Christian McBride, Questlove, Uri Caine, Joey DeFrancesco, Benny Golson
and Others Celebrate Philadelphia Reunion
at Newport Jazz Festival August 4 - 6

NEWPORT, RI, August 2, 2017 – Philly funk and jazz take a trip to Newport this summer and spark a reunion with a group of special friends and former classmates when Newport Jazz Festival® Artistic Director Christian McBride gets together with Questlove and Black Thought from The Roots and Joey DeFrancesco, who all graduated from Philadelphia’s Creative and Performing Arts High School in 1989. The Philly roll call also includes Uri Caine, Orrin Evans, Leslie Odom, Jr., George Burton and the legendary Benny Golson.

The Newport Jazz Festival® presented by Natixis Global Asset Management welcomes The Philadelphia Experiment, a collaborative project of Christian McBride, Amir “Questlove” Thompson and Uri Caine. The group will take the Quad Stage at 1:55 on Sunday afternoon, bringing the Fort to life with their eclectic mix of Caine’s jazz/classical piano background, Thompson’s hip-hop drumming and McBride’s virtuosity on jazz bass.

The Philadelphia Experiment was conceived by Philadelphia producer, Aaron Levinson as a way to bring together and showcase the talents of different Philadelphia-born musicians making Philadelphia-inspired music. Though McBride, Thompson and Caine were familiar with one another, they had never before played together professionally. The result of this “experiment,” their 2001 album recorded in three days, is an amalgamation of styles coming together in a wildly funky masterpiece.

Newport Jazz Festival Final Line Up

8/1/2017

2017 Newport Jazz Festival® Takes Over Aquidneck Island August 4 – 6

31 of 50 Bands Making Newport Jazz Festival Debuts

NEWPORT, RI, July 31, 2017 – More than 300 established and emerging jazz artists will take over Aquidneck Island when the annual Newport Jazz Festival® presented by Natixis Global Asset Management returns August 4 – 6. This year’s festival features more than 50 sets of non-stop music on four stages at historic Fort Adams State Park and a Friday evening performance at the International Tennis Hall of Fame at the Newport Casino.

The 2017 roster includes 31 groups making their Newport Jazz debuts* as leaders or with new bands, including Rhiannon Giddens, The Roots, Andra Day, Naturally 7; Leslie Odom, Jr.; JoAnne Brackeen, David Torkanowksy, Cyrille Aimee, Marilyn Crispell, and the Newport Jazz Assembly Band.

Check out the final lineup for the Newport Jazz Festival presented by Natixis Global Asset Management:

2017 Newport Jazz Festival Schedule Cubes

7/26/2017

To enlarge, download and print schedule, please click HERE.

Newport Festivals Foundation Announces 2017 Bridgefest Schedule

7/21/2017

Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc.
Announces 2017 Bridgefest® Schedule
featuring Events Throughout Newport County
July 31-August 3

NEWPORT, RI, July 21, 2017 – After 30,000 music lovers say goodbye to the Newport Folk Festival® and before the jazzy set pours into the city for the Newport Jazz Festival®, the party continues July 31-August 3 at Bridgefest®, the annual celebration of Jazz, Folk and Newport's rich musical community.

Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc. welcomes a dozen local artists, clubs, restaurants, theaters, museums and other organizations to Bridgefest® 2017. Bridging the gap between the iconic Newport Folk Festival® (July 28-30) and Newport Jazz Festival® (August 4-6), the series of events – including concerts, films, educational programs and music-related activities presented by area venues and promoters – will take place across Newport County.

The 2017 Bridgefest schedule* includes:

17th Annual Jazz in the Valley Takes Over Poughkeepsie Sunday, August 20, Noon-6:00 pm

7/18/2017

Jazz in the Valley Takes Over Poughkeepsie’s Waryas Park
Sunday, August 20, Noon - 6:00 pm
featuring
Swing Unlimited featuring Delfeayo Marsalis, Cyrus Chestnut, Javon Jackson, Jimmy Cobb & David Williams; Christopher Dean Sullivan Ensemble featuring Mala Waldron; Elio Villafranca & the Jass Syncopators; Neil Clarke’s Mongo Santamaria Centennial Project;
and Jeff Siegel Sextet

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY, July 14, 2017 – JAZZ IN THE VALLEY takes over Poughkeepsie with two stages of non-stop music at Waryas Park on Sunday, August 20, from noon to 6:00 pm (gates open at 11:00 am). Celebrate 17 years of world-class jazz presented on the beautiful banks of the Hudson River with TRANSART & Cultural Services and world-class artists including Swing Unlimited with Delfeayo Marsalis, Cyrus Chestnut, Javon Jackson, Jimmy Cobb & David Williams; Christopher Dean Sullivan Ensemble featuring Mala Waldron; Elio Villafranca & the Jass Syncopators; Neil Clarke’s Mongo Santamaria Centennial Project; and the Jeff Siegel Sextet.

“TRANSART is pleased and proud to continue this annual summer tradition of bringing artists and jazz fans together to celebrate music, culture and the beauty of the Hudson Valley,” said Greer Smith, president of TRANSART and festival producer. “Music festivals have found homes in some of the world’s most beautiful destinations, including Newport, Monterey, Montreal, Los Angeles as well as in Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland and beyond. When you walk through the Waryas Park and see the rolling river that surrounds the festival grounds, there’s no question that Poughkeepsie is a perfect place to enjoy the music with family and friends.”

Newport Jazz Festival to Present Flying Towards the Sound: For Geri, With Love Terri Lyne Carrington, Esperanza Spalding with Vijay Iyer, Jason Moran & Christian Sands

7/14/2017

Newport Jazz Festival to Present Flying Towards the Sound: For Geri, With Love
Terri Lyne Carrington, Esperanza Spalding
with Vijay Iyer, Jason Moran & Christian Sands

NEWPORT, RI, July 13, 2017 – Due to the death of pianist Geri Allen on June 27, 2017, the all-star trio – which was to feature Ms. Allen with bassist Esperanza Spalding and drummer Terri Lyne Carrington – will honor its set at the Newport Jazz Festival® with Flying Towards the Sound: For Geri, With Love – Terri Lyne Carrington, Esperanza Spalding with Vijay Iyer, Jason Moran & Christian Sands.

"Geri was a beautiful person whose impact on the music she loved will last forever. She was a unique artist, dedicated to the rights of men and women. She cannot be replaced. I’m glad to have known her for so many years," said George Wein, Newport Jazz Festival founder and CEO of Newport Festivals Foundation.

“These three pianists, along with Terri Lyne and Esperanza, were deeply connected to Geri as protégés, collaborators and friends. They will honor and celebrate Geri’s life and music in a poignant and personal way,” added Danny Melnick, festival producer.

Maceo, Blow! Iconic Saxophonist Brings the Funk to the Newport Jazz Festival on Friday, August 4

7/13/2017

Saxophonist Maceo Parker Promises to Make It Funky at the Newport Jazz Festival on
Friday, August 4

NEWPORT, RI, July 13, 2017 – What does it mean when the master of funk, the legendary saxophonist Maceo Parker and his impeccably tight band take over the Fort Stage at the Newport Jazz Festival® presented by Natixis Global Asset Management on Friday August 4? It means Newport will definitely get funked up.

Festival goers, Fort Adams and perhaps all of Newport Harbor will erupt with the rhythms that Parker is known to lay down during his electric-fueled concerts. After all, Maceo is the man both the Godfather of Soul, James Brown, and pop idol Prince famously instructed to “BLOW.”

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Chico Freeman Comes Home to the Village Vanguard October 17-22, Including Tribute to Arthur BlytheFreeman Also Set to Perform at AACM NYC, Scullers & The Side Door in October

Natixis Global Asset Management Awards Seventh Annual George Wein Jazz Ambassador Scholarship to R.I. and Mass. Students Scholarships will be presented to Elena Serrano of Providence (R.I.) and Jeffrey Pinsker-Smith of Wellesley (Mass.) during the 2017 Newport Jazz Festival

Christian McBride, Questlove, Uri Caine, Joey DeFrancesco, Benny Golson and Others Celebrate Philadelphia Reunionat Newport Jazz Festival August 4 - 6​

2017 Newport Jazz Festival® Takes Over Aquidneck Island August 4 – 6 31 of 50 Bands Making Newport Jazz Festival Debuts

Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc. Announces 2017 Bridgefest® Schedule featuring Events Throughout Newport CountyJuly 31-August 3