Jazz Festival 55

George Wein's CareFusion Jazz Festival 55: August 9 @ Fort Adams State Park, Newport, RI

This past Sunday, I ventured out to Fort Adams State Park with my camera to take in George Wein's CareFusion Jazz Festival 55. This was the last day of the three day event and this is what I saw.

Joe Lovano was the first artist to play the main stage Sunday. He was joined by Esperanza Spalding who performed her own set the day before.

Then I popped over to check out The Rodriguez Brothers who were enjoyable.

I caught some of Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band's set. We all know I'm not a drum fan but I rather liked Blade's work. And found the band enjoyable.

I went back over to the main stage to see Michel Camilo.

Rudresh Mahanthappa and festival founder George Wein chatting in the media tent before they were each whisked off to their interviews. Mahanthappa played the opening set over on the Harbor stage earlier.

I then went around to catch a couple of songs of the solo piano set by Alfredo Rodriguez.

I moved on to check out some of Steve Bernstein's Millennial Territory Orchestra. I wasn't expecting to even remotely like them but what I saw wasn't too bad.

It was then back over to the main stage to check out Roy Haynes who was joined by special guest Ron Carter.

I stuck to the main stage to see Dave Brubeck who seemed to be in really good spirits.

It was then off to another stage to see the James Carter Organ Trio. They were the highlight of the day for me.

I then went over to check out By Any Means. Drummer Rashied Ali was unable to perform as he wasn't well and couldn't make it. His brother Muhammad Ali filled in for him though.

After that was The Bad Plus with Wendy Lewis. They were a little to experimental sounding for me so I didn't stick around long enough to catch Lewis hit the stage.

Antonia Bennett did a short set before her father took the stage. She didn't inherit her father's entertainment gene. She was lacking in stage presence in my opinion. I found her rather boring to be honest.

Closing the festival was Tony Bennett. I'm not a Bennett fan and expected to completely hate his set. Well, much to my surprise, I didn't hate it. While I'm still no fan, I did find him entertaining.

Dave Brubeck joined Bennett onstage for one song, "That Old Black Magic." They both seemed to be enjoying themselves during the song.

All in all it wasn't a bad day. The sun refused to cooperate and it was a bit chilly out but I rather enjoyed myself.

www.jazzfestival55.com

Daily Schedule For George Wein's CareFusion Jazz Festival 55

The schedule blocks for George Wein's CareFusion Jazz Festival 55 have been posted. Now you can find out when your favorite artists will be performing and on what stage. You can start mapping out your day(s)! The festival takes place in Newport, RI and kicks off Friday, August 7 with Chaka Khan and the George Duke Trio, Harold Alden/Anat Cohen Quartet and then kicks into two days (Saturday, August 8 & Sunday, August 9) of jazzy festival goodness.

Head on over to http://www.jazzfestival55.com/music-schedule-cubes.html to check out the schedule.

www.jazzfestival55.com
www.jazzfestival55.com/music-schedule-cubes.html

Chaka Khan Scheduled To Play Jazz Festival 55

Chaka Khan with the George Duke Trio will kick off George Wein’s CareFusion Jazz Festival 55 on Friday, August 7 at the International Tennis Hall of Fame at the Newport Casino. Etta James had been scheduled for the date but unfortunately had to cancel due to illness. Get well soon Ms. James!

While many only know Khan for her soul and R&B hits, she is no stranger to jazz. In fact, she and Duke have recently made a string of critically-acclaimed appearances on the European jazz festival circuit. Now, the pair are teaming up once again for an evening of jazz.

Also on the bill, Israeli clarinetist Anat Cohen with guitarist Howard Alden in a salute to Benny Goodman. The evening will be hosted by radio announcer Ron Della Chiesa.

www.jazzfestival55.com

Tickets on Sale Tomorrow: Etta James at George Wein's JAZZ FESTIVAL 55, Newport

Tickets for Etta James & The Roots Band at George Wein’s JAZZ FESTIVAL 55 go on sale tomorrow, May 13, at 10:00 am HERE. Opening for the legendary vocalist will be the Howard Alden/Anat Cohen Quartet. The concert is set for Friday, August 7, at 8:00 pm at The International Tennis Hall of Fame at the Newport Casino, 194 Bellevue Avenue.

www.jazzfestival55.com

More Artists Announced For Jazz Festival 55

It was announced today that more artists have been announced for George Wein’s JAZZ FESTIVAL 55. The festival takes place, August 7 - 9 in Newport, RI.

Mos Def and Ernest Ranglin have been added to the stellar line-up of artists. Other additions to the 2009 line-up are Vandermark 5, Branford-Joey Duo, Claudia Acuña, North Carolina Central University Big Band, Millennial Territory Orchestra, Rashied Ali-Charles Gayle-William Parker’s “By Any Means” and Alfredo Rodriguez.

The Line Up

FRIDAY, AUGUST 7 ~ 8:00 pm
International Tennis Hall of Fame, 194 Bellevue Avenue

• Etta James and The Roots Band

SATURDAY, AUGUST 8 ~ 11:30 am – 7:00 pm
Fort Adams State Park, Harrison Avenue

• Mos Def
• Branford Marsalis Quartet
• Joshua Redman Double Trio
• Esperanza Spalding
• Cedar Walton All-Stars with Lew Tabackin & Curtis Fuller
• Hiromi’s SonicBloom
• Ernest Ranglin
• Vandermark 5
• Christian McBride
• Vijay Iyer Trio
• Marsalis Music Presents Miguel Zenón
• North Carolina Central Big Band
• Branford-Joey Duo
• Claudia Acuña

SUNDAY, AUGUST 9 ~ 11:30 am – 7:00 pm
Fort Adams State Park, Harrison Avenue

• Tony Bennett
• Dave Brubeck Quartet
• Roy Haynes Fountain of Youth Band
• Michel Camilo
• Joe Lovano UsFive
• The Bad Plus with Wendy Lewis
• Conversation with Christian McBride
• Millennial Territory Orchestra
• Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band
• Rudresh Mahanthappa’s Indo-Pak Coalition
• Rashied Ali-Charles Gayle-William Parker’s “By Any Means”
• Alfredo Rodriguez
• The Rodriguez Brothers

www.jazzfestival55.com

On Sale Dates For George Wein's FOLK FESTIVAL 50 & George Wein's JAZZ FESTIVAL 55

I mentioned in an earlier post that dates for folk and jazz festivals in Newport had been announced by music impresario George Wein. Today, ticket sale dates have been announced for George Wein's FOLK FESTIVAL 50, which will take place July 31 – August 2, and George Wein's JAZZ FESTIVAL 55, which will take place August 7 – 9, in Newport, RI.

Tickets for FOLK FESTIVAL 50 go on sale Wednesday, May 6, at 10:00 am at www.folkfestival50.com.

Confirmed artists for FOLK FESTIVAL 50 are festival co-founder Pete Seeger, The Decemberists, Arlo Guthrie, Fleet Foxes, Joan Baez, Neko Case, Judy Collins, Campbell Brothers, The Avett Brothers, Josh Ritter, Gillian Welch, Del McCoury, Iron & Wine, Tao Rodriguez Seeger, Balfa Toujours, Elvis Perkins in Dearland, Tim Eriksen & Shape Note Singers, Langhorne Slim, Ben Kweller and Low Anthem.

Tickets for JAZZ FESTIVAL 55 will go on sale Thursday, April 23, at 10:00 am at www.jazzfestival55.com.

Confirmed artist for JAZZ FESTIVAL 55 include Tony Bennett, Branford Marsalis, Etta James, Esperanza Spalding, Dave Brubeck Quartet, Vijay Iyer Trio, Cedar Walton with Lew Tabackin & Curtis Fuller, Christian McBride Group, Roy Haynes Quintet, Joshua Redman Double Trio, Hiromi, The Bad Plus joined by Wendy Lewis, Michel Camilo, Joe Lovano, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Miguel Zenon, Brian Blade & the Fellowship Band and the Rodriguez Brothers.

www.folkfestival50.com
www.jazzfestival55.com

Introducing: George Wein's FOLK FESTIVAL 50 and George Wein's JAZZ FESTIVAL 55

Music fans will be happy to know that dates for folk and jazz festivals in Newport have been announced!

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Music impresario George Wein announced today that he will produce and present George Wein’s FOLK FESTIVAL 50, July 31 – August 2, and George Wein’s JAZZ FESTIVAL 55 August 7 – 9 in historic Newport, RI. Both festivals will include two full days of music at Fort Adams State Park and a Friday evening concert.

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Artists for both festivals will be announced in early April. The tradition of excellent music festivals in Newport is sure to be upheld with legendary producer Wein at the helm. Both he and Newport are well known for presenting a bevy of excellent performers. So, I'm sure we're in for a stellar line-up at both festivals.

www.jazzfestival55.com
www.folkfestival50.com