Jun 9, 2026 10:54 AM
In Memoriam: James Blood Ulmer, 1940–2026
With deep sorrow and profound love, we announce the passing of James Blood Ulmer, a boldly innovative guitarist,…
The JVC Jazz Festival–Newport has announced its lineup for its 51st annual festival.
On Saturday, Aug. 13 at Fort Adams State Park, the JVC Jazz Stage will feature the Wynton Marsalis Septet , McCoy Tyner Trio with special guests Ravi Coltrane and Terell Stafford, Trio! with Stanley Clarke, Béla Fleck and Jean-Luc Ponty, Charles Lloyd Quartet with Geri Allen, Rueben Rogers & Eric Harland, Patricia Barber ,Medeski Martin & Wood and the Jon Faddis Quartet . The Pavilion Stage features Saxophone Summit with Michael Brecker, Joe Lovano and Dave Liebman, Carla Bley & Lost Chords with Steve Swallow, Andy Shepherd and Billy Drummond, T.S. Monk Sextet and The Newport All-Stars. The new Guitar Stage features the Howard Alden and Warren Vache Duo, Kurt Rosenwinkel Quartet and Mark Whitfield.
On Sunday, Aug. 14, the JVC Jazz Stage features Roy Haynes 80th Birthday Celebration with Marsalis, Chick Corea, Gary Burton, Joshua Redman and Christian McBride plus Roy Haynes’ Fountain of Youth Band, Dave Brubeck Quartet, Steps Ahead (2005) featuring Brecker, Mike Mainieri, Mike Stern, Steve Smith and Richard Bona, Chick Corea Trio with Christian McBride and Jeff Ballard, Joshua Redman Elastic Band, and Dave Holland Big Band. The Pavilion Stage features the Don Byron Ivey-Divey Trio, Gary Burton’s Generations, Lovano with the Hank Jones Trio, Cannonball Legacy Band featuring Louis Hayes, and Matt Wilson’s Arts & Craft. The Guitar Stage will feature Bill Frisell Trio with Joey Baron and Sam Yahel, Larry Coryell, Russell Malone and Benny Green Duo, and Julian Lage and Taylor Eigsti Duo.
The fest opens on Aug. 11 with a screening of Miles Electric: A Different Kind Of Blue, the recently released film of Miles Davis at the Isle of Wight festival in 1970, at the Jane Pickens Theater in Newport. And on Aug. 12 at the Newport Casino, there will be An Evening With Eartha Kitt, also featuring the Artie Shaw Orchestra under the direction of Dick Johnson.
For all ticket info and further details on the festival, go to www.festivalproductions.net.
To the world, James Blood Ulmer was a legend, a visionary and a musical force whose sound was distinctive and unique. To his family, he was their teacher, their storyteller and a source of strength.
Jun 9, 2026 10:54 AM
With deep sorrow and profound love, we announce the passing of James Blood Ulmer, a boldly innovative guitarist,…
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