Newport Jazz Festival 2024: A Stellar Lineup Celebrating 70 Years of Musical Legacy
The Lineup Reveal
The Newport Jazz Festival has just announced its lineup for the 2024 edition, and it’s nothing short of spectacular. Celebrating its 70th anniversary, the festival is set to showcase a diverse array of talent, from jazz legends to contemporary stars. Top-billed artists for this year’s festival include André 3000, Nile Rodgers & Chic, Kamasi Washington, Elvis Costello, Laufey, Robert Glasper, Brittany Howard, and Cory Wong. In addition, Dinner Party, the supergroup comprising Glasper, Washington, and Terrace Martin, is slated to perform, with Martin also doing a set alongside Calvin Keys.
Other notable acts include Thievery Corporation, Samara Joy, Noname, PJ Morton, Galactic featuring Irma Thomas, Moonchild, Cimafunk, Ghost-Note, Shabaka, Christian McBride’s “Jam Jawn” (with special guests to be announced), Meshell Ndegeocello, Artemis, Chief Adjuah, Aja Monet, Sun Ra Arkestra, Julius Rodriguez, Makaya McCraven & Jeff Parker, and many others. The festival promises an eclectic mix of jazz, soul, funk, and beyond, ensuring there’s something for every music lover.
A Historic Milestone
Since its inception in 1954, the Newport Jazz Festival has been a beacon for the jazz community, bringing together legendary performers and enthusiastic fans in a celebration of the genre’s rich history and bright future. The 2024 festival, taking place at Fort Adams State Park in Rhode Island from August 2 through 4, marks a significant milestone: its 70th anniversary. This year, the festival not only honors its past but also looks forward to the future of jazz, symbolized by its forward-thinking lineup.
Regardless of the weather, the event is set to proceed, rain or shine, underscoring the festival’s commitment to delivering an unforgettable experience for jazz enthusiasts. With the stunning backdrop of Fort Adams State Park, attendees can expect three days of immersive performances and musical brilliance.
Looking Forward
As the Newport Jazz Festival prepares to celebrate seven decades of musical excellence, questions arise about the future of jazz and how festivals like Newport can continue to play a pivotal role in its evolution. With such a diverse and dynamic lineup for 2024, the festival is clearly making a statement about the genre’s expansive boundaries and its potential for inclusivity and innovation.
What does this mean for the future of jazz? How will the Newport Jazz Festival continue to shape the genre in the years to come? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the 2024 edition of the Newport Jazz Festival is poised to be a landmark event, celebrating the past, present, and future of jazz music.