The Newport Jazz Festival returned to its namesake home on Rhode Island from August 4-6. Boasting an impressive and varied lineup, prime views of the stage from almost any position, a lack of lines, an abundance of vendors and free cans of Yerba Mate, one could argue it is certainly a contender for one of the year’s top music festivals.
“This is America’s first Jazz/music festival,” Christian McBride, told The New School Free Press in a trailer minutes before he was set to announce Herbie Hancock, the event’s closer to an audience of thousands. McBride has served as the festival’s artistic director since 2016 and is well known as one of jazz’s most respected bass players for roughly 40 years. He first performed at Newport in 1991 with a Wein curated group called the Jazz Futures alongside mainstays that included the late Roy Hargrove.
The festival, founded in 1954 by promoter George Wein, was the first of its kind. McBride believes that Newport Jazz set the standard for events of this nature. “The template for the music festival is based on this,” McBride said.
He joined the festival’s storied legacy that includes performances from artists across the musical spectrum. From Miles Davis,Led Zeppelin, Herbie Hancock and Frank Zappa, the event has always hosted an eclectic array of talent, often hailing classic recordings from artists like Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, and countless others. “George Wein set the standard,” McBride said. “You’re going to get a little bit of this, and you’re going to get a little bit of that.”
The festival’s audience was as varied as the performers, and included people of all ages and from different walks of life. It was all-smiles all weekend as attendees perused local vendor booths and food trucks in between sets.
Bassist Dave Holland, who has appeared countless times with various outlets at the festival since 1969 and is well known for his vast body of work as a bandleader, and alongside the likes of Miles Davis, Anthony Braxton and Chick Corea, was among the performers on Friday. He delivered an incredibly dynamic set that included original compositions from him and his band, The New Quartet.
Holland is certainly a legend among Newport alumni. He was first slated to appear at Newport in 1969 alongside Miles Davis, drummer Jack DeJohnette, keyboardist Chick Corea and saxophonist Wayne Shorter. “Wayne had a problem with his flight and didn’t make it to the gig,” Holland said, “and Miles, being the only horn player, played longer that I ever remembered, which was wonderful.”
Other standout performances from Friday night included acclaimed jazz collective Angel Bat Dawid & the Brotherhood, up and coming bassist Derrick Hodge, and fan favorites Domi & JD Beck, who released their debut record, “Not Tight,” last year with Blue Note Records. Festival alumni and renowned saxophonist Branford Marsalis joined the bill at the last minute, replacing Kamasi Washington and delivering a blistering set before joining the night’s closing act, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, who performs the music of the Grateful Dead. Marsalis is popular among Deadheads for his appearance with The Dead at Nassau Coliseum in 1990.
Saturday included performances from old school jazz masters like Charles Lloyd and Bobby Watson, alongside contemporary players including saxophonist Keyon Harrold, renowned guitarist Julian Lage, and former Suicidal Tendencies bassist Thundercat, who brought an interesting mix of progressive fusion to the stage. McBride also led his annual “Jam Jawn,” a set where McBride performs alongside invited friends and special guests. This year featured saxophonist Ravi Coltrane, as well as legendary pianist and composer Bob James. The group performed several of James’ compositions including “Westchester Lady” and the theme from “Taxi.” The festivities were closed out Saturday by Jon Batiste, the former musical director of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert who is well known for his work across various musical genres.
Standout performances from Sunday included sets from pianist Bill Charlap, bassist Marcus Miller, singer Samara Joy, and Cimafunk – who dominated the Fort and Quad stage for much of the afternoon. The harbor stage adjacent to the water boasted exceptional performances by Scary Goldings which featured John Scofield, Larry Goldings, and surprise guest Tal Wilkenfield backed by the group Scary Pockets. Joshua Redman, Christian McBride, Brad Mehldau, and Brian Blade – who’s “first gig” was at Newport over two decades earlier, as professed by Redman onstage, followed the act and marked a clear high point for the weekend.
Scary Goldings feat. John Scofield at Newport on Aug 6, 2023. Photo by Johnny Knollwood
The weekend culminated with a performance by the incomparable Herbie Hancock and his band that included Terence Blanchard, Lionel Loueke, James Genus, and Justin Tyson. Hancock and his group performed classics like “Actual Proof” and “Footsteps,” by Hancock’s late friend and bandmate Wayne Shorter, before closing out the weekend’s festivities with a rousing rendition of Hancock’s “Chamelon,” sending the crowd off on their way with a whole lot of funk.
The festival will return August 2-4, 2024, for its 70th anniversary and there’s only one way to find out what is in store. Stay tuned.
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