NEWPORT, R.I. – George Wein, renowned for creating the Newport Jazz Festival in 1954 – and for his important role in establishing numerous other music festivals including the Newport Folk Festival, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and the Grande Parade du Jazz in Nice, France – shared some of his experiences with a gathering at Salve Regina’s McKillop Library yesterday. To watch a clip click here.
The BridgeFest event, “Reminiscing in Tempo: Reflections on the Newport Jazz and Folk Festivals," brought Wein and longtime Newport Daily News reporter Jim Gillis together to discuss the impact these two festivals have had on jazz and folk music and Newport’s musical heritage specifically.
Wein remains an active producer at age 82, serving on the executive board of Jazz at Lincoln Center, and is an honorary trustee on the board at Carnegie Hall. His autobiography “Myself Among Others” was recognized by the Jazz Journalists Association as 2004’s best book about jazz, and he continues to perform as a pianist, touring the United States, Europe and Japan with his group, the Newport All-Stars.
BridgeFest was created by the Arts & Cultural Alliance of Newport County to bridge the week between the Newport folk and jazz festivals. By making Newport County an eclectic musical haven for the week, BridgeFest gives music enthusiasts a reason to stay and locals a reason to celebrate.