They came to Newport, Rhode Island, to the largest jazz festival in the country, in their best beach and leisure wear. This was not the first time they had come to Newport. A lot of them had been coming for many years before. They had heard Miles Davis and Tito Puente. They had heard Sara Vaughn and Ella Fitzgerald sing, and Herbie Hancock and Max Roach play. Now they came in their wheel chairs and with their canes, hoping to hear the greats again.
A range of people of all different ages came to Newport to hear and see the best and the brightest stars of today. They stayed at the hotels in downtown Newport and in many bed and breakfasts and local hotels and motels in the Newport vicinity. The cost to stay in and around Newport was not cheap, but sacrifices were made to travel to Newport for the Jazz Festival.
The festival was sold out and all the performances were very well attended. One of the opening performances took place at the Fort, one of the festival’s three performance stages in addition to the Harbor and the Quad. The soulful strumming of Ron Carter opened the Fort stage performances and was viewed by a large audience on the grass. Some of the performances included the Philadelphia Experiment, Nubya Garcia, and the Sacred Soul. A large audience heard Kenny Garrett and Dianne Reeves perform as well. People in front of the stage at the Quad waited in anticipation for Willow, and an enthusiastic audience waited for Cecile McLorin Salvant and Stanley Jordan. The Christian McBride Big Band and Etienne Charles and Creole Soul were very well received, as was Esperanza Spalding and Cymde.
Without a doubt, by the end of the festival, the audience had enjoyed a great experience for the three days. As they left, there was an opportunity to buy some memorabilia that will remind them of their time there and help them recall the cherished memories that will stay with them until they get to repeat this awesome experience once again next year at the Newport Jazz Festival. ■