Newport Jazz and Folk Festivals Added $5 Million to Local Economy in 2012

According to a new report designed to measure the economic impact of the Newport festivals, the events contribute to $5 million in direct spending in Rhode Island.

At the request of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), Newport Festivals Foundation commissioned a study designed to measure the economic impact of the 2012 Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals on the State of Rhode Island.   This study was conducted by Advantage Marketing Information, North Kingstown, RI. The results of the 19-page report concluded that in 2012: “This report confirms that the Newport Jazz and Folk Festivals provide a tremendous boost to Rhode Island’s tourist economy,” said DEM Director Janet Coit. “The Festivals are a huge draw, attracting thousands of attendees to Fort Adams each year who impact the local economy by spending close to $5 million on lodging, food and beverages, shopping, and …

•  10 Comments
• Photos (1)

John H Hedley

12:33 am on Thursday, April 11, 2013

I'm all for that. a toll on the Jamestown bridge would mean a reduced need for the tolls on the Sakonnet. See, I don't think like you, I believe in paying my own way. I don't look for handouts and, as a non-native New Englander, I don't think I'm entitled to anything just because it's there. Unlike you, I recognize that there is no such thing as free.   more ›

Newport Jazz Festival Announces Opening Acts

Two acts are scheduled to open the Newport Jazz Festival at the International Tennis Hall of Fame. The festival runs from Aug. 2-4.

The Newport Jazz Festival has announced Natalie Cole will be the opening act for this year's festival, along with the Bill Charlap Trio with special guest Freddy Cole. The jazz festival begins on Friday, Aug. 2 at the International Tennis Hall of Fame. More than 25 acts are scheduled to perform at Fort Adams State Park on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 3-4. A complete list of artists can be found here. Purchase tickets for the Newport Jazz Festival here. Stay tuned to Patch through the coming months for updates on the Newport Jazz Festival.

• Photos (1)

Newport Jazz Festival Releases Lineup

The Newport Jazz Festival runs from Aug. 2-4.

The Newport Jazz Festival has announced its 2013 line-up today on its website. A list of artists can be found here. The festival runs from Aug. 2-4. The first day of the festival will be held at the International Tennis Hall of Fame. The second and third day will be at Fort Adams State Park. Fan pre-sale tickets will be on sale at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 16. Tickets for the general public will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 17.

• Photos (1)

VIDEO: All-State Jazz Band to Perform at Newport Jazz Festival

Twenty students from Rhode Island will be performing in the premier jazz festival in Newport this weekend.

Only a small percentage of artists and musicians in the music industry can say they performed on the stage of the Newport Jazz Festival. This Saturday, 20 young musicians from Rhode Island will be added to that exclusive roster. The Rhode Island All-State Jazz Ensemble will open the festival on Saturday at 11 a.m. on the Harbor Stage at Fort Adams. The ensemble features students from all over the state – including Barrington, North Kingstown, South Kingstown, East Greenwich, Lincoln, Newport, Providence and more. (See below for the full roster.) The ensemble is led by conductor Metro Narcisi – jazz band director for West Warwick High School.  

•  1 Comment
• Videos (1)

Newport Jazz Festival Lineup Announced

Producer and founder of the Newport Jazz Festival George Wein announced this summer's Jazz Festival lineup.

George Wein, producer and founder of the Newport Jazz Festival® and Chairman of the Newport Festivals Foundation & trade announced the lineup for the 2012 Newport Jazz Festival Tuesday morning. The festival will be presented by Natixis Global Asset Management and will be held on Aug. 3-5 at Fort Adams State Park and the International Tennis Hall of Fame at Newport Casino. Veterans Pat Metheny, Jack DeJohnette, Bill Frisell and others share the festival billing with relative newcomers Miguel Zenon, Jason Moran, Ambrose Akinmusire, Darcy James Argue, Dafnis Prieto, John Hollenbeck and others. In addition, award-winning artists Dianne Reeves and Tedeschi Trucks Band will be a major part of the festival, along with Maria Schneider, Kurt Elling…

•  3 Comments
• Photos (1)

Newport Jazz Plays Through Rough Sunday Weather

Heavy rains soaked much of the final day of the 2011 Newport Jazz Festival, but the show continued and weather cleared later in the afternoon.

The spirit of the 2011 Newport Jazz Festival did not waver on Sunday, despite strong winds and heavy torrents of rain throughout the day. Real jazz fans continued meandering from the Fort Stage to the Quad Stage and the Harbor Stage throughout the day. The weather finally calmed down by mid-afternoon, even though most attendees at that point already had soggy shoes and clothing completely soaked. The performance by Mingus Big Band in the morning was hit hardest by the rain, at times coming down horizontally, forcing band members to put on rain jackets and cover up their instruments with blankets. Pianist Hiromi and her band Trio Project excited the crowd at the Quad Stage with an electrifying performance after a half hour wait to dry off …

• Photos (16)

Jazz Festival Performances 'Simply Amazing'

Cool breezes and cool music prevailed Saturday on day two of the 2011 Newport Jazz Festival at Fort Adams State Park.

Day two of the Newport Jazz Festival left nothing to be desired by the host of fans running between all three stages to get the most of the jazz experience offered up by Saturday's lineup. Jazz great Wynton Marsalis, up-and-coming jazz great Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue and newcomers Mostly Other People Do The Killing took the stage for some unforgettable performances.  "The history draws people here to the Fort," said Jay Adams, fan and volunteer at the festival, "but the music is what keeps them." "When you get to see a person do what they were put on this planet to do, it is simply amazing," he said about Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue's performance. Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue return to the festival Sunday to close out the …

• Photos (20)

What to Wear?

Classic, But Fun, Key to Opening Night of Jazz Fest

A broad-ranging outfit is the way to go for the Newport Jazz Festival's opening night concert featuring Jamie Cullum.

If you're heading to tonight's opening night concert of the famed Newport Jazz Festival at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, you'll want to make sure you look as good as the music sounds. Jamie Cullum, a young, but experienced, musician with a broad range, will perform the first concert of the festival. His experience in rock and hip hop, combined with his passion for jazz, are sure to make for an unforgettable show. A broad-ranging outfit, think classic and sophisticated, but fun, is the perfect match for this evening of outdoor music. We headed to Chace n' Lulu on America's Cup Avenue to find just the right thing. The two-floor boutique definitely had quite a few items that tempted our wallets. We started with a fuchsia tiered …

• Photos (3)