Incredible ensembles, global superstars, legendary instrumentalists and genre-bending up-and-comers make up the first wave of artists announced today for the 66th edition of Newport Jazz. Curated by Artistic Director Christian McBride and founder George Wein, the Festival takes place August 7-9 at Fort Adams State Park and the International Tennis Hall of Fame at the Newport Casino.
All tickets, except for the Friday evening concert at the International Tennis Hall of Fame are on sale now at www.newportjazz.org.
With more than 20 GRAMMYS between them, the festival will be anchored by Norah Jones, Wynton Marsalis and Diana Krall. Pianist Robert Glasper will take up residency across all three days of the festival, bringing something new at each performance. Drummer Makaya McCraven will return for a second year, fresh off of his re-imagining of Gil Scott-Heron’s, I’m New Here. Reggae legend Jimmy Cliff, “Africa’s Premiere Diva,” Angélique Kidjo performing the Talking Heads’ Remain In Light and Japanese jazz-composer Hiromi will bring a global perspective to the Fort. Genre-bending indie-jazz artists such as Khruangbin and Cory Wong will perform alongside a whole host of other artists including the Newport Jazz Artistic Director’s own A Christian McBride Situation. Other artists include Charles Lloyd Kindred Spirits, Maria Schneider Orchestra, Chris Potter Circuits Trio featuring James Francies and Eric Harland, Joe Lovano “Trio Tapestry” featuring Marilyn Crispell & Carmen Castaldi, Nicholas Payton, Hiromi, Nate Smith + KINFOLK, The Comet is Coming, The Soul Rebels, The Jazz Gallery All-Stars, Arturo/Zack/Adam O’Farrill Quintet, Avery*Sunshine, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Nubya Garcia, Michela Marino Lerman – Love Movement, Warren Wolf and Wolfpack, Somi, Catherine Russell, Miguel Zenón Quartet, and an extended The History of Jazz set that will feature Tuba Skinny, Vince Giordano & The Night Hawks, David Ostwald’s Louis Armstrong Eternity Band, Mike Davis’ The New Wonders, Colin Hancock & His Signature Seven.
“This year’s Newport Jazz Festival continues the tradition of presenting jazz, as George Wein would say, “from J to Z,” said McBride. “For three days in August, all eyes and ears in the jazz world focus on what happens at Newport. It’s a thrill to present everyone from the great Wynton Marsalis, who’s making his first appearance at the festival in 9 years, to Diana Krall, who’s making her first appearance at the festival in over 20 years. We welcome back old friends like Charles Lloyd, who served as our artist-in-residence in 2018, and Robert Glasper, who serves as this year’s artist-in-residence. Newport Jazz has always featured artists from all areas, from Chuck Berry to Mahalia Jackson to Aretha Franklin to James Brown to Led Zeppelin to the Allman Brothers. Since 2017, artists like The Roots, Common, Living Colour and George Clinton and more have all played the festival. This year, Newport Jazz presents reggae legend, Jimmy Cliff. Oh yes, this year’s going to be deep. Norah Jones is back after her smashing 2016 Newport debut, Avery*Sunshine makes her debut, as does vibraphonist Warren Wolf. There’s just way too many great artists to name. Just make sure you come. You won’t be disappointed!”
A breeding ground for the best and brightest shining stars since the Festival started 66 years ago in 1954, the Newport Jazz Festival celebrates a bevy of award-winning artists. Showcasing more than 50 individual Jazz ensembles, the festival will offer music on four stages, including the Fort, Quad, Harbor stages and Storyville, the intimate venue located in the Newport Festivals Museum.
The first wave of artists for the 2020 Newport Jazz Festival are:
Friday, August 7, 2020 – Fort Adams State Park
- Norah Jones
- Jimmy Cliff
- Robert Glasper
- A Christian McBride Situation
- Chris Potter Circuits Trio
- Nicholas Payton
- Catherine Russell
- The History of Jazz
- Tuba Skinny
- Vince Giordano & The Night Hawks
- David Ostwald’s Louis Armstrong Eternity Band
- Mike Davis’ The New Wonders
- Colin Hancock & His Signature Seven
Saturday, August 8, 2020 – Fort Adams State Park
- Wynton Marsalis
- Angélique Kidjo’s Remain In Light
- Robert Glasper
- Charles Lloyd Kindred Spirits
- Makaya McCraven
- Nate Smith + KINFOLK
- The Jazz Gallery All-Stars
- The Comet is Coming
- Arturo/Zack/Adam O’Farrill Quintet
- Avery*Sunshine
- Michela Marino Lerman – Love Movement
- Miguel Zenón Quartet
Sunday, August 9, 2020 – Fort Adams State Park
- Diana Krall
- Khruangbin
- Robert Glasper
- Maria Schneider Orchestra
- Joe Lovano “Trio Tapestry”
- Hiromi
- Cory Wong
- The Soul Rebels
- Jeff “Tain” Watts
- Nubya Garcia
- Warren Wolf and Wolfpack
- Somi
