Newport Jazz Festival Announces Second Wave Of Artists For 2018

The excitement continues as the Second Wave of artists are announced for the 2018 Newport Jazz Festival, which takes place at Fort Adams State Park and the International Tennis Hall of Fame at the Newport Casino August 3 – 5.

 

Tickets are on sale now at www.newportjazz.org.

 

“This Second Wave of artists is so indicative of the exciting direction we’re building towards with this year’s Newport Jazz lineup – artists like BADBADNOTGOOD and Grace Kelly represent the innovative spirit that is alive and well in jazz, while Tony Allen and The DIVA Jazz Orchestra prove Newport is THE place for the top jazz talent,” said Jay Sweet, Executive Producer of Newport Festivals Foundation. “Add to that, the double dose of Pat Metheny and José James, who both will perform Friday night at the Casino and Saturday at the Fort, this is shaping up to be a lineup for the ages.”

 

The Second Wave features:

 

 

 

 

In announcing the Second Wave, the Festival’s Artistic Director Christian McBride pinpointed some highlights.

 

“It’s been a thrill to see what strides Ambrose Akinmusire has made over the last few years as a musician. Always striving, always restless, always searching. Origami Harvest, his current project, will be sure to capture the imaginations of our listeners at Newport.”

 

McBride continued, “This is the 25th Anniversary of The DIVA Jazz Orchestra. We are so proud to present this band, which has been one of the tightest, most musical bands in jazz. I still remember hearing them for the first time in Pori, Finland in their third year of existence. They knocked me out then, and they continue to do so, with some of the greatest ladies in jazz having been in this fine orchestra.”

 

BADBADNOTGOOD makes its Newport debut at Fort Adams, and McBride says, “This band has captured the hearts and minds of a generation with not only their own music, but their collaborations with everyone from Kendrick Lamar to Tyler, The Creator. These cats are going to go a long way and I’m glad we have them with us.”

 

McBride calls it “a very big coup” to have Trio 3 at Newport and further states, “Trio 3 is a very important trio in jazz. Individually, Oliver Lake, Reggie Workman and Andrew Cyrille have been at the forefront of music that has pushed the edge for five decades. As a group, the ideas and energy are boundless.”

 

To date, the 2018 Newport Jazz Festival includes:

 

 

 

For tickets and general information on the Newport Jazz Festival, log on to www.newportjazz.org.