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Newport Jazz Festival

  • Trombone Shorty brought the Newport crowds to their feet with some futuristic funk, grimy backbeats and New Orleans jazz backbone.
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    Trombone Shorty brought the Newport crowds to their feet with some futuristic funk, grimy backbeats and New Orleans jazz backbone.
    Erik Jacobs for NPR
  • Hiromi played a hyperactive, solo version of "I Got Rhythm" at the Fort Stage.
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    Hiromi played a hyperactive, solo version of "I Got Rhythm" at the Fort Stage.
    Erik Jacobs for NPR
  • Ambrose Akinmusire's clarion solos glided over his quintet's svelte and darkly modernistic jazz at Newport.
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    Ambrose Akinmusire's clarion solos glided over his quintet's svelte and darkly modernistic jazz at Newport.
    Erik Jacobs for NPR
  • Ivana and Scott Burbaker of McLean, Va. enjoy the sun on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011. Sunday was much rainier.
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    Ivana and Scott Burbaker of McLean, Va. enjoy the sun on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011. Sunday was much rainier.
    Erik Jacobs for NPR
  • Organist Joey DeFrancesco brought some serious soul to the Harbor Stage with his trio, including guitarist Rick Zunigar (pictured) and drummer Ramon Banda.
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    Organist Joey DeFrancesco brought some serious soul to the Harbor Stage with his trio, including guitarist Rick Zunigar (pictured) and drummer Ramon Banda.
    Erik Jacobs for NPR
  • Cornetist Tony Pringle leads the New Black Eagle Jazz Band.
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    Cornetist Tony Pringle leads the New Black Eagle Jazz Band.
    Erik Jacobs for NPR
  • At just 19 years old, alto saxophonist Grace Kelly (left) led a quintet at the Harbor Stage, welcoming guest alto saxophonist Phil Woods.
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    At just 19 years old, alto saxophonist Grace Kelly (left) led a quintet at the Harbor Stage, welcoming guest alto saxophonist Phil Woods.
    Erik Jacobs for NPR
  • "I can fly!"
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    "I can fly!"
    Erik Jacobs for NPR
  • The four gents in Mostly Other People Do the Killing made frequent references to any and every era of jazz.
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    The four gents in Mostly Other People Do the Killing made frequent references to any and every era of jazz.
    Erik Jacobs for NPR
  • Mostly Other People Do the Killing drummer Kevin Shea looks rather snazzy in a pink tie and shades at the Quad Stage.
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    Mostly Other People Do the Killing drummer Kevin Shea looks rather snazzy in a pink tie and shades at the Quad Stage.
    Erik Jacobs for NPR
  • 2011 Best New Artist Grammy Award winner Esperanza Spalding performed twice over the weekend in various configurations.
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    2011 Best New Artist Grammy Award winner Esperanza Spalding performed twice over the weekend in various configurations.
    Erik Jacobs for NPR
  • Yacouba Sissoko (center, with kora) in the moment with Regina Carter's Reverse Thread band at the Fort Stage.
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    Yacouba Sissoko (center, with kora) in the moment with Regina Carter's Reverse Thread band at the Fort Stage.
    Erik Jacobs for NPR
  • The Wynton Marsalis quintet played an extremely energetic set at the Fort Stage.
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    The Wynton Marsalis quintet played an extremely energetic set at the Fort Stage.
    Erik Jacobs for NPR
  • Denise Latino and Anthony (who declined to give his last name) work to stay dry outside the Fort Stage on a rainy Sunday at Newport.
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    Denise Latino and Anthony (who declined to give his last name) work to stay dry outside the Fort Stage on a rainy Sunday at Newport.
    Erik Jacobs for NPR
  • Tenor saxophonist Dan Willis takes a solo with the John Hollenbeck Large Ensemble at the Quad Stage.
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    Tenor saxophonist Dan Willis takes a solo with the John Hollenbeck Large Ensemble at the Quad Stage.
    Erik Jacobs for NPR
  • The distinctive and imposing pianist Randy Weston brought his African Rhythms trio to the Quad Stage.
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    The distinctive and imposing pianist Randy Weston brought his African Rhythms trio to the Quad Stage.
    Erik Jacobs for NPR
  • Berklee College of Music student Mario Castro (on saxophone) led his quintet at the Harbor Stage.
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    Berklee College of Music student Mario Castro (on saxophone) led his quintet at the Harbor Stage.
    Erik Jacobs for NPR
  • Also from the Mario Castro Quintet: Jonathan Pinson wins for Best Hair Movement.
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    Also from the Mario Castro Quintet: Jonathan Pinson wins for Best Hair Movement.
    Erik Jacobs for NPR
  • Trumpeter Avishai Cohen brought his free-swinging trio to the Harbor Stage. His big sister Anat joined Triveni for a few songs.
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    Trumpeter Avishai Cohen brought his free-swinging trio to the Harbor Stage. His big sister Anat joined Triveni for a few songs.
    Erik Jacobs for NPR
  • Steve Coleman, left, devised multi-layered jazz which sometimes got downright funky at the Harbor Stage.
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    Steve Coleman, left, devised multi-layered jazz which sometimes got downright funky at the Harbor Stage.
    Erik Jacobs for NPR
  • Jen Shyu sings above and between the complicated, yet defiantly driving jazz of Steve Coleman and Five Elements.
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    Jen Shyu sings above and between the complicated, yet defiantly driving jazz of Steve Coleman and Five Elements.
    Erik Jacobs for NPR
  • Clifton Arington and Merlyn LaPaix, both of Teaneck, N.J., dance to the sounds of Angelique Kidjo playing at the Fort Stage.
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    Clifton Arington and Merlyn LaPaix, both of Teaneck, N.J., dance to the sounds of Angelique Kidjo playing at the Fort Stage.
    Erik Jacobs for NPR
  • No, there's no hot new wunderkind on the scene named James Farm, just a stellar new group at Newport. From left to right: Matt Penman, bass; Eric Harland, drums; Joshua Redman, saxophones; Aaron Parks, piano.
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    No, there's no hot new wunderkind on the scene named James Farm, just a stellar new group at Newport. From left to right: Matt Penman, bass; Eric Harland, drums; Joshua Redman, saxophones; Aaron Parks, piano.
    Erik Jacobs for NPR
  • Charles Lloyd (left) joins Eric Harland on the piano, an instrument neither of them regularly play (the piano) during their Sangam set at the Fort Stage.
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    Charles Lloyd (left) joins Eric Harland on the piano, an instrument neither of them regularly play (the piano) during their Sangam set at the Fort Stage.
    Erik Jacobs for NPR
  • Indian-born tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain performs with Charles Lloyd's pan-sonic trio Sangam.
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    Indian-born tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain performs with Charles Lloyd's pan-sonic trio Sangam.
    Erik Jacobs for NPR
  • Alex Foster takes a raging solo with the Mingus Big Band at the Fort Stage.
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    Alex Foster takes a raging solo with the Mingus Big Band at the Fort Stage.
    Erik Jacobs for NPR
  • Ravi Coltrane gave a good midterm progress report on his quartet's new repertoire at the Harbor Stage. (Erik Jacobs for NPR) v
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    Ravi Coltrane gave a good midterm progress report on his quartet's new repertoire at the Harbor Stage. (Erik Jacobs for NPR) v
  • Trying to keep dry on a rainy Sunday at Fort Adams State Park.
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    Trying to keep dry on a rainy Sunday at Fort Adams State Park.
    Erik Jacobs for NPR
  • At the Quad Stage, alto saxophonist Miguel Zenón played classic Puerto Rico songs with a jazz quartet and 10-piece wind ensemble.
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    At the Quad Stage, alto saxophonist Miguel Zenón played classic Puerto Rico songs with a jazz quartet and 10-piece wind ensemble.
    Erik Jacobs for NPR
  • The sinuous alto saxophonists Rudresh Mahanthappa and Bunky Green went on a fiery tag-team effort in their co-led set from the Quad Stage at Newport.
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    The sinuous alto saxophonists Rudresh Mahanthappa and Bunky Green went on a fiery tag-team effort in their co-led set from the Quad Stage at Newport.
    Erik Jacobs for NPR

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Recent Newport Jazz Festival

Charles Lloyd performs on the Fort Stage during the Newport Jazz Festival.

Newport Jazz 2011: Charles Lloyd's Sangam, Live In Concert

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August 8, 2011 Hear Charles Lloyd, Indian-born tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain and drumming phenom Eric Harland.

ListenPlaylist

Miguel Zenón performs with his Puerto Rican Songbook group, including Luis Perdomo on piano (left), on the Quad stage during the Newport Jazz Festival.

Newport Jazz 2011: Miguel Zenon's Puerto Rican Songbook, Live In Concert

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August 8, 2011 Hear a rare performance of the saxophonist's arrangements of his parents' favorite music.

ListenPlaylist

Hiromi performs on the Fort Stage during the Newport Jazz Festival.

Newport Jazz 2011: Hiromi, Live In Concert

()  

August 6, 2011 Hear the first of the dynamic pianist's two shows — an energetic solo concert — at Newport.

ListenPlaylist

Trombone Shorty performs with Orleans Avenue on the Quad Stage during the Newport Jazz Festival.

Newport Jazz 2011: Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Live In Concert

()  

August 7, 2011 Hear the jazz trombonist and singer embrace future-funk and rock backbeats in a set from Newport.

ListenPlaylist

Steve Coleman performs with Five Elements, including Jonathan Finlayson (on trumpet, foreground), on the Harbor Stage at the Newport Jazz Festival.

Newport Jazz 2011: Steve Coleman And Five Elements, Live In Concert

()  

August 7, 2011 Hear the alto saxophonist and the latest incarnation of his awe-inspiring band play at Newport.

ListenPlaylist

Avishai Cohen performs with his trio, Triveni, on the Harbor Stage during the Newport Jazz Festival.

NPR Jazz Live

Avishai Cohen's Triveni With Anat Cohen, Live At Newport

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August 7, 2011 Hear the fervently imaginative trumpeter perform at Newport with his trio and special guests.

ListenPlaylist

Regina Carter performs at the Fort Stage during the Newport Jazz Festival.

Newport Jazz 2011: Regina Carter's Reverse Thread, Live In Concert

()  

August 6, 2011 Hear the jazz violinist and her unique band — featuring kora and accordion — perform at Newport.

ListenPlaylist

Dan Willis, on tenor saxophone, performs with the John Hollenbeck Large Ensemble on the Quad Stage during the Newport Jazz Festival.

Newport Jazz 2011: John Hollenbeck Large Ensemble, Live In Concert

()  

August 7, 2011 Hear a special set from Newport, featuring Theo Bleckmann, Kate McGarry and pianist Uri Caine.

ListenPlaylist

Rudresh Mahanthappa (left) And Bunky Green perform with Apex on the Quad stage during the Newport Jazz Festival.

Newport Jazz 2011: Rudresh Mahanthappa And Bunky Green, Live In Concert

()  

August 8, 2011 Hear a matchup of two sizzling and sinuous alto saxophonists, and the touring band it spawned.

ListenPlaylist

Kevin Shea on drums as Mostly Other People Do The Killing performs on the Quad Stage during the Newport Jazz Festival.

Newport Jazz 2011: Mostly Other People Do The Killing, Live In Concert

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August 7, 2011 Hear the quartet reconstitute jazz traditions in their set from Newport.

ListenPlaylist

Randy Weston performs with his African Rhythms Trio on the Quad Stage during the Newport Jazz Festival.

Newport Jazz 2011: Randy Weston's African Rhythms Trio, Live In Concert

()  

August 7, 2011 Hear the 85-year-old distinctive and imposing piano stylist perform at Newport.

ListenPlaylist

Ravi Coltrane performs with his quartet, including Luis Perdomo (left) and Drew Gress (on bass) on the Harbor Stage during the Newport Jazz Festival.

NPR Jazz Live

Ravi Coltrane Quartet, Live At Newport

()  

August 8, 2011 Hear a new set of repertoire played at Newport by the tenor saxophonist who blazes his own trail.

ListenPlaylist

Joey DeFrancesco performs with his trio on the Harbor Stage during the Newport Jazz Festival.

Newport Jazz 2011: Joey DeFrancesco Trio, Live In Concert

()  

August 6, 2011 The modern master of the Hammond B-3 organ performs with his soulful trio.

ListenPlaylist

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About The Newport Jazz Festival

The Newport Jazz Festival, was founded by jazz pianist George Wein in 1954 as the first outdoor music festival of its kind devoted entirely to jazz, and is now universally acknowledged as the grandfather of all jazz festivals. For information on attending the Festival, visit their official website.

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Credits

NPR Music's coverage of the Newport Jazz Festival is supported by the Argus Fund.

 

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