Interviews

Truly Magical Place: Jaleel Shaw Previews his 2024 Newport Jazz Festival Leader Debut

The Newport Jazz Festival’s history of saxophonists is vast, including heroes like John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, and Ornette Coleman. What…

4 months ago

Prepared Piano with a Brazilian Identity: Amaro Freitas Previews his 2024 Newport Jazz Performance

Biologist and naturalist E.O. Wilson once noted, "Destroying rainforest for economic gain is like burning a Renaissance painting to cook…

4 months ago

At Heart: A Conversation with Fred Wesley on his Incredible Career and a Preview of his 2024 Newport Jazz Festival Performance

There are few people funkier than Fred Wesley. As James Brown increasingly turned from Soul Brother Number One into the…

4 months ago

In Its Own Backyard: A Conversation with Newport Festivals Foundation’s Music Education Manager Leland Baker on his Role and SUNDAY JAZZ

It is all too easy for a misguided person to view the Newport Festivals as events that attempt to be…

4 months ago

Bringing Together: Rob Garza Previews Thievery Corporation’s 2024 Newport Jazz Festival Performance

Music has a unique ability to unite humanity. As Ella Fitzgerald once noted, "Music is the universal language…. it brings…

4 months ago

Melting Pot of Old and Young: A Conversation with Newport Festivals Security’s Ron Cudworth

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Newport Jazz Festival’s founding in 1954. But the history is not as…

4 months ago

Engagement: A Conversation with Lakecia Benjamin on ‘Phoenix Reimagined (Live)’

There is something special about a live recording compared to one edited in the studio. An increased openness to risk…

4 months ago

Vessel: A Conversation with Deron Johnson on Miles Davis and ‘Free to Dance’

From where does music derive? Some would argue the artist is the sole cause of their own creations. But, to…

4 months ago

Weaving: A Conversation with Janel Leppin

As an art form, weaving requires different threads to combine into one to create a sturdier whole cloth. How the…

4 months ago

Saving the Duck: A Conversation with Alfredo Colón on ‘Blood Burden’

Self-expression lies at the heart of all art. Creation that fails to reflect the artist's spirit will never be able…

5 months ago