Jul 17, 2025 12:44 PM
DownBeat’s 73rd Annual Critics Poll: One for the Record Books
You see before you what we believe is the largest and most comprehensive Critics Poll in the history of jazz. DownBeat…
The lineup for George Wein’s Jazz Festival 55, which takes place at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, R.I., from Aug. 7-9. The festival, which had been in danger of ceasing to exist under Festival Network, was taken over by festival founder Wein and his new company, New Festival Productions. Tickets for the outdoor weekend shows went on sale on April 23, and the Friday night tickets will go on sale on May 13.
On Aug. 7, Etta James and the Roots Band will perform an 8 p.m. show at the International Tennis Hall of Fame. On Aug. 8-9, the music shifts to Fort Adams State Park.
The Aug. 8 lineup includes: Mos Def; Branford Marsalis Quartet; Joshua Redman Double Trio; Esperanza Spalding; Cedar Walton All-Stars with Lew Tabackin & Curtis Fuller; Hiromi’s SonicBloom; Ernest Ranglin; Vandermark 5; Christian McBride; Vijay Iyer Trio; Marsalis Music Presents Miguel Zenón, North Carolina Central Big Band, Branford-Joey Duo, Claudia Acuña.
The Aug. 9 lineup includes: Tony Bennett; Dave Brubeck Quartet; Roy Haynes Fountain of Youth Band; Michel Camilo; Joe Lovano UsFive; The Bad Plus with Wendy Lewis; Conversation with Christian McBride; Millennial Territory Orchestra; Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band; Rudresh Mahanthappa’s Indo-Pac Coalition; Rashied Ali-Charles Gayle-William Parker’s “By Any Means”; Alfredo Rodriguez; The Rodriguez Brothers.
For information on the festival, go to jazzfestival55.com, or call the festival hotline at (401) 848-5055.
James Brandon Lewis earned honors for Artist of the Year and Tenor Saxophonist of the Year. Three of his recordings placed in the Albums of the Year category.
Jul 17, 2025 12:44 PM
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