Newport Jazz Fest Lineup Announced

News, Robert Glasper, Wynton Marsalis, Trombone Shorty, Christian McBride, Terri Lyne Carrington and Social Science, Andra Day, Charles Lloyd, Chris Potter, Arturo O’Farrill, Catherine Russell

By DownBeat I Jun. 7, 2021

Robert Glasper will perform all three days in different musical settings.
(Photo: Courtesy Blue Note Records)

The Newport Jazz Festival has announced that tickets are now on sale for this year’s event July 30–Aug. 1 with a lineup that will bring a smile to the faces of all who love live music.

This year’s festival is a bit smaller than usual do to COVID restrictions, but still features more than 20 sets headlined by Wynton Marsalis, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Christian McBride, Terri Lyne Carrington + Social Science, Andra Day, Charles Lloyd, Chris Potter Circuits Trio, Arturo O’Farrill Quintet, Catherine Russell and more.

Robert Glasper will be featured each day of the festival with a different project. On Friday, July 30, Glasper and Terrace Martin present their “Dinner Party.” On Saturday, July 31, Glasper’s Acoustic Trio will be joined by DJ Jahi Sundance. And on Sunday, Aug. 1, Glasper will present “A Black Radio Production: Robert Glasper with Special Guests.”

Newport offered the jazz community and early charge to get back to live music when it sent out “save the date” notices back in April stating the festival was a go, but that ticketing would be released in phases due to modified capacities and shifting, easing COVID restrictions.

As a result, festival organizers are still working out what capacity and protocols will be by the end of July. It could include a proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test and more.

That said, at the risk of editorializing, this magazine is happy to see the return of the Newport Jazz Festival and live music. DB