Newport Jazz Festival--Opening Night
Newport Jazz Festival--Opening Night
Categories: Interviews, etc., Newport Jazz Festival Information, 377 words Send feedback •Two outstanding jazz vocalists, one a Grammy award winner, Dianne Reeves, another a six time Grammy award nominee, Nnenna Freelon, will open the Newport Jazz Festival on August 10 at 8 pm at the Tennis Hall of Fame.
Reeves will appear with her own band; Freelon will work with a band presented under the legendary name of Count Basie.
Reeves, who sometimes appears at the Lincoln Center, New York, with Wynton Marsalis’s orchestra, is known for her virtuosity, improvisations and unique jazz stylings, tinged with R&B sounds. She has also appeared in the United States and Europe with Philharmonic Orchestras. The New York Times says that Reeves is a “jazz singer of astonishing skill. She appeared in George Clooney’s “Good Night,and Good Luck” Academy award nominated film about Edward R. Murrow, the famed newscaster.
A documentary about the jazz composer and arranger, Billy Strayhorn, which features Reeves will appear later this year, as will a new jazz CD.
With ten years in the business, Freelon is still a developing vocalist, who the critics says has “exquisite musicality” and a “great sense of swing.” She does compelling and captivating performances, often to standing ovations. She has eight CDs to her credit, and is a composer, producer, and arranger as well as a singer. She also helps in the education of young people not only by teaching but fundraising to meet children’s educational needs.The Freiday opening night should be a “great swinging time,” according to producer George Wein. Tickets can be obtained at Ticketweb.com or by “phone at 866-468-7619.
The Festival continues on the weekend, from 11:30 am to 7 pm at Fort Adams State Park.
The Saturday performances feature Branford Marsalis, Dave Brubeck, an All-Star Monk legacy band, a tribute to Charlie Mingus, and Joshua Redman, among others. The Sunday program is mostly blues, led by B.B. King and Etta James, but there also is Latin jazz featuring Paquito D”Rivera and Luciana Souza. There will be an All-Star band paying tribute to Dizzy Gillespie, Elaine Elias will play a tribute to Bill Evans and the great trumpeter Jon Faddis will lead a group. For a list of all the artists who will play go to the Festival website which is www.festivalproductions.com
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