Jul 22, 2026 12:37 PM
In Memoriam: Rodney Holmes, 1966–2026
Drummer Rodney Holmes, a powerful presence behind the kit who emerged as an in-demand player on the New York scene…
NEA Jazz Master Billy Hart was a fan favorite.
(Photo: Mark Sheldon)
Charles Lloyd and his Sky Quartet offered one of the fest’s most introspective sets.
(Photo: Mark Sheldon)
Flea, on tour in support of his solo album Honora, was among the Newport headliners.
(Photo: Mark Sheldon)
Nate Smith’s group showed how straightahead jazz continues to thrive at Newport.
(Photo: Mark Sheldon)
Sullivan Fortner was out to show a new slant on keyboards.
(Photo: Mark Sheldon)
Linda May Han Oh gave one of the most joyful performances at Newport.
(Photo: Mark Sheldon)The 2026 Newport Jazz Festival once again confirmed its legacy as one of the most important jazz festivals in the world. If you were wondering how Nate Smith would put his mark on the three days, this year’s festival showed that jazz continues to thrive, capable of absorbing countless influences while maintaining its unmistakable identity. Crossover acts added spectacle and younger crowds, but rarely overshadowed the music at the festival’s core, and certainly the mix helped the festival sell out early. But jazz and all its extensions dominated, as it should.
Charles Lloyd and his Sky Quartet offered one of the fest’s most introspective sets, bringing a spiritual depth in dedicating their music to John Coltrane. Lloyd delivered his warm tenor sound, along with masterful piano solos by Jason Moran and the rhythms of bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Kweku Sumbry.
Elder statesman and NEA Jazz Master Billy Hart was a fan favorite, with Ethan Iverson on piano, Walter Smith III on tenor saxophone and Ben Street on bass. Nate Smith introduced the group with heartfelt accolades to one of the greatest jazz drumming masters who showed us all why there can be no doubt.
John Scofield and Dave Holland were another act not to be missed set for the jazz faithful, as the duo brought more straightahead jazz to the purists in the crowd. Theirs was a musical conversation between these two musical partners, allowing one to completely shut out the world and absorb its message.
Long overdue as a leader for the first time at Newport, bassist Linda May Han Oh gave one of the most joyful performances as trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire and drummer Tyshawn Sorey joined her in an exciting chordless trio. With much of the material from her album Strange Heavens, the uplifting set ended all too soon and left you wanting for more.
Sullivan Fortner was out to show a new slant on keys, with electric piano and B-3 organ — a new musical project due out later this summer. With bassist Rahsaan Carter and drummer Kayvon Gordon, the music flowed and never stopped with mash-ups, a Geri Allen tune and perhaps the crowd favorite on B-3: Sun Ra’s “Watusi.”
The newcomers were plentiful on the lineup, with one of the most exciting and exuberant sets coming from Brandon Woody Upendo. Woody on trumpet is not only exciting to hear but also fun to watch as he delves into his tunes with a passion. Originals “Surrender” and “Beyond The Reach Of Our Eyes” from his debut album For The Love Of It All is clearly only the beginning.
Capping the end of the festival, Herbie Hancock demonstrated why he remains one of the towering figures in modern music. Now decades into one of jazz’s most remarkable careers, Hancock delivered a master class in creativity, moving between acoustic lyricism, electronic textures and fearless improvisation. Every solo felt spontaneous, every ensemble interaction conversational, reminding listeners that true jazz lives in the moment.
The broader lineup brought more jazz (Jon Batiste, Kamasi Washington, Chief Adjuah, Marquis Hill, Cory Wong, Joshua Redman, Braxton Cook, Robert Glasper, Nate Smith, The Bad Plus) as well as the expected mix of headliner attractions (Gary Clark Jr., Thundercat, Flea, Lake Street Dive, Angine de Poitrine, Vulfpeck, Leon Thomas), a strong representation from the U.K. (Little Simz, Olive Jones, Maya Deliah, Gotts Street Park, Celeste) and stunning world music influences (Nduduzo Makhathini, Anoushka Shankar). While the festival continues to broaden its musical palette, jazz clearly remained its artistic heartbeat. The weekend affirmed that jazz is not competing with other genres for relevance; it is actively influencing them, welcoming new audiences while preserving its commitment to creativity, risk-taking and musical conversation. DB
A drummer’s drummer, Rodney Holmes gigged with everyone from Joe Zawinul and Carlos Santana to Steve Kimock and the Brecker Brothers.
Jul 22, 2026 12:37 PM
Drummer Rodney Holmes, a powerful presence behind the kit who emerged as an in-demand player on the New York scene…
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