2025 Newport Jazz Festival – a weekend where music collided
By Bridget Arnwine
This past weekend, the Newport Jazz Festival kicked off its 71st season in grand style with artists from around the globe converging on Fort Adams State Park for three days of music and fellowship. Though the Festival has always, at least in part, (based on this writer’s research, at least) embraced the inclusion of artists of different musical backgrounds, this year’s festival appeared to include the most diverse lineup yet. Artists from various musical worlds entertained the sold-out crowd from start to the weekend’s very colorful finish. At the same time, volunteers, bus drivers, custodians, vendors, champions of compost stations (can we say eco-friendly Festival), and organizers alike buzzed about making sure that those in attendance didn’t miss a beat (pun intended).
And what a beat it was. Legends of jazz, including the inimitable Dianne Reeves, Ron Carter and his Foursight band (featuring Renee Rosnes on piano, Jimmy Greene on sax, and Payton Crossley on drums), Terrence Blanchard, Kenny Garrett, John Scofield (joined in trio format with Louis Cato and Marcus Miller) were loudly applauded and celebrated during their respective performances. They were part of a weekend that included sets by over fifty performers including several notable artists of jazz, rock, R & B, hip-hop, and pop including the Festival’s Artistic Director, Christian McBride who performed with both his group The Philly Experience and his Christian McBride Big Band; Cecile McLorin Salvant put on a remarkably beautiful performance as only she could; Emmet Cohen showed why he’s become a fan favorite playing a dazzling set of music with a smile; British artists Raye, Jorja Smith, and Nubya Garcia each led their respective sets with a quiet confidence, comfortable elegance, stunning musicianship, and a humble acknowledgment of the grandness of their moments on the Newport stages; Willow offered an unexpectedly refreshing performance with a stage presence that was well beyond her years and a sound that was strong, sure, and empowering; Janelle Monae didn’t allow her diminutive frame to take away from the grandeur of her performance- she totally rocked the Fort Stage Saturday night; Esperanza Spalding was as thoughtful and inventive as she always is when she’s before a Newport crowd; Bobby Sanabria and Sexteto Ibiano gave a high-energy and downright electric performance; Lakecia Benjamin was pure power and magic; The Roots delivered a performance that was equal parts classic Roots crew and top-tier musical showmen; De La Soul may have recently lost a member of their renowned trio, but the remaining members went all out and vibed off of each other and the crowd during their set. Photos posted by the Newport Jazz Festival social media page showed that hip-hop superstar lyricists Pharoahe Monch and Talib Kweli joined the group on stage at some point during their set; drummer Marcus Gilmore formed a quartet with Kenny Garrett, Danilo Perez, and John Patitucci for a beautiful tribute to his grandfather, the late Roy Haynes, who became an ancestor this past November just four months shy of his 100th birthday), and the Festival’s closer, Jacob Collier reportedly thrilled the crowd with his dynamic interpretations and the ease with which he approached the music and engaged those standing far and wide.
Here are a few pictures from this year’s festival. Note: more photos may be added later.
The 72nd Newport Jazz Festival is scheduled for July 31, 2026 – August 2, 2026.
photo by Corey Newell
