Interviews

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

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…

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

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…

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

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…

11 months ago
Bringing Together: Rob Garza Previews Thievery Corporation’s 2024 Newport Jazz Festival PerformanceBringing Together: Rob Garza Previews Thievery Corporation’s 2024 Newport Jazz Festival Performance

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…

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

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…

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

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…

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

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…

11 months ago
Weaving: A Conversation with Janel LeppinWeaving: A Conversation with Janel Leppin

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…

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

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…

12 months ago
Double Bill : A Conversation with Bill Frisell and Bill MorrisonDouble Bill : A Conversation with Bill Frisell and Bill Morrison

Double Bill : A Conversation with Bill Frisell and Bill Morrison

Albert Einstein once remarked, “Art is standing with one hand extended into the universe and one hand extended into the…

12 months ago