Newport Jazz at 70 - A Photo Retrospective

To say there is something special about the world’s longest running jazz festival (with Monterey Jazz a close second) is stating the blatantly obvious. It is steeped in the tradition of giants, founded in 1954 by pianist and band leader George Wein who produced the event over six decades, remaining true to the adventure of the music throughout. But what really strikes me is how people listen, from Gen Alpha on up. Riveted to the experience of the creative act itself in a way that stands apart in these overstimulated times. No doom scrolling, just all eyes and ears. Set against the stunning backdrop of the 200 year-old Fort Adams and sparkling Narragansett Bay.

Look no further than Samara Joy’s packed set on Saturday which drew the largest crowd of the weekend. The 24-year old vocalist channels older school stylings with an incomparable freshness and joy that everyone at the Fort seemingly embraced. Or the loopy, bass-less beauty of Bill Frisell’s Four featuring drummer Johnathan Blake, pianist Gerald Clayton and saxophonist/clarinetist Gregory Tardy on Friday. Altoist’s Jaleel Shaw’s long overdue set on Friday and the words, rhymes and rhythms of both Aja Monet on Friday and Noname on Sunday. The six string stomp of guitarist’s Mark Whitfield’s Golden, Brown and Delicious on Sunday. The Wayne Shorter Tribute with Ravi Coltrane and Terri Lynne Carrington alongside Shorter’s most recent Bandmates John Patitucci on bass and pianist Danilo Perez on Saturday. The voices of both Laufey returning to play the larger Fort Stage on Saturday with thousands of enthusiastic young fans singing along, and the quiet intimate songs of newcomer Lianne La Havas soloing it on Sunday. Kamasi Washington, Robert Glasper and Terrace Martin individually, and as one big Dinner Party. Cimafunk’s explosive energy on Sunday and Stanley Clarke’s explosive mastery with his young N-4Ever ensemble on Saturday. At every turn there was something to tickle the ears and challenge the space between them. Artistic Director, Christian McBride, saw to that throughout the weekend, flashing his Philly pride and seemingly teeing up every bass led performance, and then some, before his closing New Jawn set on Sunday.

Percussionist Weedie Braimah and drummer Ele Howell during Chief Adjuah's set at the 70th Newport Jazz Festival, August 2, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

Altoist Jaleel Shaw with bassist Dezron Douglas during Shaw's Newport debut set at the 70th Newport Jazz Festival on August 2, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

Guitarist Bill Frisell was all smiles during his set at the 70th Newport Jazz Festival on August 2, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

Drummer Johnathan Blake was one of the Bill Frisell Four at the 70th Newport Jazz Festival on August 2, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

Saxophonist Ben Ellman and trumpeter Eric Gordon were the horns of New Orleans' own Galactic for their set (which also featured Irma Thomas, the Soul Queen of New Orleans) at the 70th Newport Jazz Festival on August 2, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

Guitarist Cory Wong getting the lowdown during his set at the 70th Newport Jazz Festival on August 2, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

Poet Aja Monet's words drove the rhythms and melodies of her accompanying quartet at the 70th Newport Jazz Festival on August 2, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

The soulful singing and playing of Brittany Howard closed the Quad Stage on Friday at the 70th Newport Jazz Festival on August 2, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

Saxophonist Kamasi Washington leading his deep ensemble to close out Friday from the Fort Stage, at the 70th Newport Jazz Festival on August 2, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

Saxophonist Ravi Coltrane and drummer Terri Lynne Carrington joined longtime Wayne Shorter bandmates Danilo Perez and John Patitucci for a tribute to the late jazz pioneer at the 70th Newport Jazz Festival on August 3, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

Saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins out front of drummer Johnathan Blake's Pentad at the 70th Newport Jazz Festival on August 3, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

Saxophonist Nicole Glover and trumpeter Ingrid Jensen of Artemis at the 70th Newport Jazz Festival on August 3, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

Clarinetist Anat Cohen leading her Quartetinho at the 70th Newport Jazz Festival on August 3, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

Captivating vocalist Samara Joy drew the biggest crowds of the festival to the Fort Stage at the 70th Newport Jazz Festival on August 3, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

Newport Jazz Camp kids who had their own set at the Foundation Stage on Friday, taking in Samara Joy at the 70th Newport Jazz Festival on August 3, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

Adrian Younge and Shaheed Muhammad put their spin on jazz and beats as Acid Jazz Is Dead at the 70th Newport Jazz Festival on August 3, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

Elvis Costello was happy to be at the Fort at the 70th Newport Jazz Festival on August 3, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

Bassist Stanley Clarke leading his N-4Ever band at the 70th Newport Jazz Festival on August 3, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

Terrace Martin and Kamasi Washington had a Dinner Party at the 70th Newport Jazz Festival on August 3, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

Trumpeter Giveton Gellin was one of the featured players to celebrate Newport At 70 at the 70th Newport Jazz Festival on August 4, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

The vibrant Afro-Cuban sounds of Cimafunk was a Newport Jazz dance party at the 70th Newport Jazz Festival on August 4, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

Laufey's enthusiastic fans could be heard from the Fort Stage to the water at the 70th Newport Jazz Festival on August 4, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

Vocalist Alex Isley at the 70th Newport Jazz Festival on August 4, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

Words and rhymes from Noname at the 70th Newport Jazz Festival on August 4, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

Guitarist Jeff Parker during his set with drummer Makaya McCraven at the 70th Newport Jazz Festival on August 4, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

"The first bass solo I learned was a Fred Wesley trombone solo" Christian McBride said with Fred Wesley as part of his New Jawn set, at the 70th Newport Jazz Festival on August 4, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

Producer-guitarist and dance hero Nile Rogers with Chic to closed out the 70th Newport Jazz Festival on August 4, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

As a photographer, I have only 10 minutes to cover any one act at Newport Jazz. I experience the performances visually, as much as aurally, with little opportunity to follow the arc of a full set. And, in those 10 minutes, I aspire to visually translate what I hear, and not just what I see. Once again, I was the only West Coast photographer, but the two dozen or so photographers I shared the pit with are a tight and friendly bunch, letting me crash their party like the not so distant cousin they haven't seen in a while. All of us share a passion for the music and the event.

Newport Jazz is tradition, legacy and exploration. And after 70 years of performances, it's hitting a new stride in an ever morphing world.