NEW: Christian McBride Named Artistic Director of Newport Jazz Festival

Thursday, March 10, 2016

GoLocalProv Lifestyle Team

 

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Christian McBride performing at the 2015 Newport Jazz Festival (photo: LaNita Adams)

Christian McBride, a multi Grammy winning bassist, has been named artistic director of the Newport Jazz Festival. McBride will work alongside and eventually succeed pianist/producer George Wein.

"I am deeply humbled by my appointment as artistic director of the Newport Jazz Festival - the most storied and legendary jazz festival in history. To be able to work with a legend like George Wein, not only as a musician, but now as an understudy, is a task I will cherish and approach with openness and excitement.  I'm also looking forward to working with consummate producers Danny Melnick and Jay Sweet as well as with the entire festival team," said McBride.

Wein is the chairman of Newport Festivals Foundation Inc. and producer of the Newport Jazz Festival since its inception in 1954.

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"I am very pleased that Christian McBride is available to join forces with the Festival and Foundation. I'm looking forward to working with him as the beacon of the future of Newport Jazz Festivals and continuing to collaborate with Danny to produce some of the world's finest music events. When I first met and heard a teenage Christian McBride in 1989, I knew that he was someone special. Little did I know that nearly 30 years later, he would become the special someone to continue my legacy. The Foundation's Board and I feel that the festival is in good hands and these two music mavericks are more than capable to sustain the festival for decades to come," said Wein.

McBride will begin festival strategic planning with Wein and new producer Danny Melnick immediately and will take charge of the 2017 Newport Jazz Festival.

Christian McBride

McBride started his Jazz journey in 1989 enrolling as a Juilliard classical music student and then hitting the road as a member of Bobby Watson's Horizon.

McBride has performed on more than 300 recordings with artists like Pat Metheny, Chick Corea, Wynton Marsalis, Sting and the Roots as well as Bruce Hornsby and Paul McCartney.

McBride has recorded 12 critically acclaimed CDs, his latest, Live at the Village, earning him a 2015 Grammy Award for Best Improvised Jazz Solo for rendition of the jazz standard, "Cherokee."

Along with his music, McBride is also the host of "The Lowdown: Conversations with Christian," on SiriusXM satellite radio and National Public Radio's weekly show "Jazz Night in America."

McBride serves as artistic advisor for Jazz Programming at the New Jersey Performing Arts and he works with Jazz House Kids.

2016 Newport Jazz Festival

The 2016 Newport Jazz Festival is set to take place from July 29-31 at Fort Adams State Park and the International Tennis Hall of Fame at the Newport Casino.

Artists for the festival include Norah Jones, Chick Corea Trilogy, The Hot Sardines and more.

Click here for the full list.

Newport Festivals Inc.

Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc.™ was founded by George Wein in 2010 to build and continue the legacies of the famed Newport Jazz Festival® and Newport Folk Festival.

Click here for more information.

 

Related Slideshow: Newport Jazz Festival 2015: Weekend Highlights

The 2015 Newport Jazz Festival was an unqualified success this weekend at Fort Adams State Park. Fingers were snappin' and toes were tappin’ to beautiful weather and gifted performers all weekend long. GoLocal was there with Photographer Rick Farrell and Music Critic Ken Abrams. Check out our slide show of highlights from the 2015 Newport Jazz Festival. 

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Cassandra Wilson

Cassandra Wilson hit the stage with a $100 bill and a crack band behind her. Her show was a tribute to jazz legend Billie Holiday who was born 100 years ago. Wilson strode through several classics including “You Go to My Head,” “These Foolish Things,” and “Billie’s Blues.” (Photo: Rick Farrell)

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Pat Martino

Pat Martino is a veteran jazz guitarist who hung out with legends Wes Montgomery and John Coltrane as a teenager in Philadelphia. He brought his Organ Trio to Newport featuring organist Pat Bianchi. Their set didn’t disappoint; the band played originals “Mac Tough,” and “Inside Out,” as well as the Montgomery classic “Full House.” (Photo: Rick Farrell)

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Hiromi

Hiromi returned to Newport this year playing the Fort Stage Saturday. A native of Japan, Hiromi came to the United States to study at Berklee College in 1999. The dynamic pianist led her Trio Project through several original compositions including “Warrior,” “Dreamer” and “Alive.” (Photo: Rick Farrell)

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Jon Batiste

Jon Batiste is a jazz artist who’s hit the big time. His enthusiastic performance demonstrated why he was chosen to be the band leader on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. His diverse set Saturday included the jazz classic “Love for Sale” as well as “If You’re Happy and You Know it” and the “Star Spangled Banner.” (Photo: Rick Farrell)

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Grace Kelly

Grace Kelly joined Jon Batiste and his band Stay Human throughout the weekend. The saxophonist leads her own band as well and is part of a recently released documentary film about the late sax player Frank Morgan. (Photo: Ken Abrams)

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Lisa Fischer

Lisa Fischer may be best known as a backup vocalist with the Rolling Stones. But she shines brightest with her own band Grand Baton. She rocked the house with her 1991 Grammy winning single “How Can I Ease the Pain,” as well as a couple of re-arranged Stones classics, “Jumping Jack Flash,” and “Wild Horses.” (Photo: Rick Farrell)

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Tom Harrell

Legendary flugelhorn/trumpeter Tom Harrell and his quintet played to a full house on the Harbor Stage. He’s played on over 260 recordings during the course of his 40+ year career. The band played Harrell’s original compositions including “Delta of the Mile” and “Journey to the Stars.” (Photo: Rick Farrell)

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Kenny Garrett

Kenny Garrett is one of the leading saxophone players in the world today. He began his career playing with the Duke Ellington Orchestra and later played with Miles Davis. He won a Grammy in 2010 for his collaboration album Five Peace Band. Saturday, fans heard “J. Mac,” “Happy People” and “Wayne’s Thing.” (Photo: Rick Farrell)

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Irvin Mayfield

Irvin Mayfield and The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra closed the proceedings on Saturday with a lively set of spicy classics.  Jazz, rock and pop came together for hits like “Angola,” “Overjoyed” and “We Will Rock You.”The Grammy winning artist is a tireless advocate for the city and music of New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz. (Photo: Rick Farrell)

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Brandon Ross

Brandon Ross, lead guitarist for Cassandra Wilson, has played with other jazz stars like Bill Frisell as well as mainstream artists including Joan Osborne. He had solos on several numbers including "With a Little Moonlight," and "All of Me." (Photo: Ken Abrams)

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RIMEA Jazz Ensemble

Every year at Newport, the Rhode Island Music Educator's Association takes part in the festivities with the RIMEA Senior Jazz Ensemble. The band features some of the best high school students in state led by conductor Willie Hill. Their set included selections from jazz greats John Coltrane, Joe Henderson and John Scofield. (Pictured: Nick Schmidt on guitar.) (Photo: Ken Abrams)

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Scott Robinson

Scott Robinson fronted his doctette on the Harbor Stage Sunday. He was overshadowed physically (but not musically) by his contrasax, a gigantic instrument that makes the stand up bass seem like a violin. (Photo: Rick Farrell)

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John Faddis

John Faddis led a three trumpet attack Sunday on the Quad Stage with the help of his able band and fellow horn blowers Sean Jones and Marquis Hill. Faddis, who is known for playing some of the highest notes possible on the trumpet, impressed with originals and covers including the Miles Davis classic "Seven Steps to Heaven." (Photo: Rick Farrell)

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Dr. John

New Orleans ambassador Dr. John got the party started at the Fort Stage on Sunday. He returned to Newport after illness forced him to cancel last year. Fans rocked to hits "Jockamo," "St. James Infirmary" and "Goodnite Irene." (Photo: Ken Abrams)

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Joey Alexander

12 year old Joey Alexander is a child prodigy who has made a huge impression on the jazz world. With film crews in tow, he entertained those present with jazz classics "Footprints" and "It Might as Well be Spring." (Photo: Rick Farrell)

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MMEA

Massachusetts Music Educators Association Jazz Band (Photo: Rick Farrell)

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Jon Lampley

Stay Human trumpeter Jon Lampley (Photo: Ken Abrams)

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James Carter

Award winning saxophonist James Carter   (Photo: Rick Farrell)

 

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