Tradition and Future of Newport Folk & Jazz Festivals

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Following the celebration of 51 years of folk and 56 years of jazz in the first two weeks of August, the famed folk and jazz festival season ended in a total triumph. Embracing the youth while paying homage to tradition, the Newport Folk Festival (July 30 – August 1) and CareFusion Newport Jazz Festival (August 6 – 8) showed the same spirit that was historically there in the 50s and 60s during the heyday of Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, and Peter, Paul & Mary, among others.

With a combined attendance of approximately 34, 000 for the six days of music, Newport hosted visitors from around the world as well as some of the largest audiences of area music fans in recent history. The success of both events enhanced the City's cultural tradition and provided a boost to the summer economy.

"I felt I was back in the time when Pete Seeger was the driving spirit of the festival as well as the folk scene when artists jumped from stage to stage performing with each other and carving out a spot on the festival grounds to catch a set by their friends and favorite artists", said George Wein, producer of the Newport Folk Festival and CareFusion Newport Jazz Festival.

The Newport Folk Festival featured Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers, John Prine, Levon Helm's Ramble on the Road, Andrew Bird, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, The Avett Brothers, Brandi Carlile, Yim Yames of My Morning Jacket, Doc Watson, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, The Swell Season, Richie Havens, Tao Rodriguez Seeger and more.

"It was a pleasure presenting old friends Dave Brubeck, Ahmad Jamal, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock and Wynton Marsalis along with new friends Jamie Cullum, Chris Botti and other talented musicians. The warmth shared among the musicians and the excitement shown by the audiences were overwhelming. And, opening up the Fort with a stage heightened the festival atmosphere. At both festivals, we experienced the community feeling that folk festival co-producers Bob Jones and Jay Sweet and I wanted. I'm still on cloud nine and I'm ready to start programming the 2011 festivals now."

Also appearing at the CareFusion Newport Jazz Festival were Maria Schneider Orchestra, Jazz Mafia's Brass, Bows and Beats, Mark O'Connor's Hot Swing, Trio da Paz, Jon Faddis, Anat Cohen, Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra, Gretchen Parlato, Fly and Wein's own Newport All-Stars with Randy Sandke, Randy Brecker and Howard Alden, among others.

Newport Mayor Jeanne-Marie Napolitano showed the City's support of Wein and his festivals by proclaiming August 7, 2010 as George Wein Day. From the main stage, she declared that "George Wein has brought more joy and sunshine to the citizens and visitors of Newport than anyone else."

Wein is continuing his endeavor to create a non-profit organization so that the festivals will exist as a part of the Newport and international summer music scene for decades to come.

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