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After a pandemic disruption, Newport Jazz Festival makes a poignant, euphoric return

Samara Joy performs at the 2022 Newport Jazz Festival, which spanned from July 29 to July 31, in Newport, R.I. Ozier Muhammad for NPR hide caption

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Ozier Muhammad for NPR

The Picture Show

After a pandemic disruption, Newport Jazz Festival makes a poignant, euphoric return

The festival's first full edition in two years — and its first since the death of co-founder George Wein — saw dynamic performances from Newport veterans alongside glowing debuts from newcomers.

Steve Wilson With Strings On JazzSet

Steve Wilson (center) brought a quartet and a string section to the Kennedy Center to pay tribute to the Charlie Parker With Strings LP. Sue Lyn Schramm hide caption

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Sue Lyn Schramm

JazzSet with Dee Dee Bridgewater

Steve Wilson With Strings On JazzSet

WBGO

Today's alto man renews a classic, Charlie Parker With Strings, at the Kennedy Center.

Steve Wilson With Strings On JazzSet

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Wilson, Rosnes, Washington: Live At The Village Vanguard

Steve Wilson (saxophone), Renee Rosnes (piano) and Peter Washington (bass). John Rogers for NPR/johnrogersnyc.com hide caption

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John Rogers for NPR/johnrogersnyc.com

Live At The Village Vanguard

Wilson, Rosnes, Washington: Live At The Village Vanguard

WBGO

A saxophonist, a pianist and a bass player walk into a bar. But the bar happens to be one of the world's preeminent jazz clubs. And they're working as a collective band: no drummer, no hierarchy.

Wilson, Rosnes, Washington: Live At The Village Vanguard

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Tame The Devil Horn: Steve Wilson's Intro To Alto Sax

Steve Wilson introduces five alto saxophonists who've mastered this beast of a horn. John Abbott hide caption

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John Abbott

Take Five: By Artist Recommendation

Tame The Devil Horn: Steve Wilson's Intro To Alto Sax

While the tenor sax is the most popular woodwind instrument in jazz, the alto sax holds a unique position. It's a beast of an instrument to master, and in Steve Wilson's 35 years behind the horn, he's only discovered his personal sound in the last 10. Here, Wilson introduces five alto sax grand masters.

Christian McBride And Inside Straight On JazzSet

Christian McBride performs at the Detroit International Jazz Festival. David Tallacksen hide caption

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David Tallacksen

Concerts

Christian McBride And Inside Straight On JazzSet

WBGO

At the Detroit Jazz Festival, bassist Christian McBride leads a five-piece band in front of thousands of fans. The band performs McBride originals, plus tunes from Freddie Hubbard and Duke Ellington.

Christian McBride And Inside Straight On JazzSet

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Mulgrew Miller On JazzSet

Mulgrew Miller at the Detroit Jazz Festival. David Tallacksen/WBGO hide caption

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David Tallacksen/WBGO

Concerts

Mulgrew Miller On JazzSet

WBGO

As Artist-in-Residence at the Detroit Jazz Festival, Miller was booked solid. In these highlights, he first joins Kenny Barron for duo pianos on the main stage, then plays with his long-running group Wingspan on the Waterfront Stage.

Mulgrew Miller On JazzSet

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Michael Wolff Trio With Steve Wilson On JazzSet

Michael Wolff Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

Concerts

Michael Wolff Trio With Steve Wilson On JazzSet

WBGO

Michael Wolff says he approaches the piano like a saxophone, to combine his "physical impulsiveness [to put] a certain energy into the musical ideas." Highlighting this set at the KC Jazz Club in Washington, D.C., is "Joe's Strut," for Wolff's dear friend Joe Zawinul.

Michael Wolff Trio With Steve Wilson On JazzSet

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Steve Wilson & Wilsonian's Grain: Live At The Village Vanguard

Steve Wilson. John Rogers for NPR/johnrogersnyc.com hide caption

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John Rogers for NPR/johnrogersnyc.com

Live At The Village Vanguard

Steve Wilson & Wilsonian's Grain: Live At The Village Vanguard

WBGO

He's been a "first-call" saxophonist in New York City for more than two decades. But this week, he's the one doing the calling. Wilson and his new quartet of old friends set up shop at the Vanguard.

Steve Wilson Quartet In Concert At The Village Vanguard - 03/24/2010

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Live At The Village Vanguard

Christian McBride And Inside Straight: Live At The Village Vanguard

WBGO

What do you do when you're one of the world's top bassists and you get a craving to play the Vanguard again? If you're Christian McBride, you assemble a top-notch, straight-ahead acoustic quintet.

Christian McBride And Inside Straight: Live At The Village Vanguard

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Concerts

The Blue Note 7 On JazzSet

WBGO

To mark 70 years in business, the Blue Note record label put together an all-star ensemble and commissioned arrangements of key compositions. Hear the burning-down-the-house highlights of The Blue Note 7's performance at the Kennedy Center.

The Blue Note 7 in Concert on JazzSet 4/5/09

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Concerts

Steve Wilson: A First-Call Saxophonist

Wilson is one of the finest saxophonists in the business: He's what musicians label a "first call" player. If you have a session coming up and you want great alto and soprano sax work, Wilson is your man. Hear Wilson's musicianship on display as he visits the KC Jazz Club at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., with his new band called Wilsonian's Grain.

Concert Spotlight: Steve Wilson Performs 'Anna'

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