Two of the U.S.' most influential and storied summer music festivals have been canceled for 2020, due to coronavirus concerns. The sibling events were scheduled to take place in July and August.
Jon Batiste embraces the crowd at the 2014 Newport Jazz Festival.
Adam Kissick for NPRhide caption
Following a high-energy main stage set — filled with turbocharged versions of standards, rags and his own party anthems — the young pianist and singer brought his band out into the audience.
O'er the ramparts of 190-year-old Fort Adams, we watched the keyboardist and bandleader urge us to "Believe in Love," accompanied by his Stay Human band, and then saunter away.
The Django Festival All-Stars.
NPR Musichide caption
A group of European gypsy jazz masters closed out the Newport Jazz Festival with a dazzling set full of flying fingers. After everyone left, we asked the players to perform one more just for us.
The Puerto Rican alto saxophonist and composer's new album explores national identity through spoken word and music. He brings that music to life at the Newport Jazz Festival, joined by his big band.
Brian Blade and the Fellowship Band. L-R: Blade, Myron Walden, Melvin Butler, Chris Thomas, Jon Cowherd.
NPR Musichide caption
We had hoped that the great drummer Brian Blade would give us a little backstage percussion exhibition. But rain scuttled those plans. Instead, he and his band worked out a different kind of beauty.
David Sanchez and the Berklee Global Jazz Ambassadors perform at the 2014 Newport Jazz Festival.
Adam Kissick for NPRhide caption
The Puerto Rican tenor saxophonist joins a select international ensemble from one of jazz's top conservatories in a festival-opening performance of his own compositions.
Berklee Global Jazz Ambassadors With David Sanchez In Concert
The commanding singer named two of his three albums Water and Liquid Spirit. Appropriately, in his triumphant return to Newport, Porter projected his booming voice through day-long rain showers.
Gregory Porter In Concert
Audio for this story is unavailable.
Darcy James Argue conducts the Secret Society in a new big-band piece at the 2014 Newport Jazz Festival.
Adam Kissick for NPRhide caption
With a sly salute to fellow composer and big-band leader Duke Ellington, Argue presents the U.S. premiere of a new 35-minute work. It joins other unrecorded tunes during Secret Society's Newport set.
Darcy James Argue's Secret Society In Concert
Audio for this story is unavailable.
Cécile McLorin Salvant performed two sets at Newport, including one for a main-stage crowd on the festival's sunny opening day.
Adam Kissick for NPRhide caption
The 60th anniversary of the festival saw more than 45 bands perform overlooking the water in New England. Our photographer captured nearly every 2014 act, through abundant sunshine and driving rain.