Storied Newport Jazz Fest Thrives in the City by the Bay
Many things have changed during the 70 years since the Newport Jazz Festival began. The great grandfather of outdoor festivals first happened on July 17, 1954 at the Newport Tennis […]
Events:
CELEBRATE SPRING
March 15 - April 27The Honk
A RI quintet who perform original instrumental and lyric music. Honk honk.
April 12 @ 7:00 pm - 11:00 pmBlack Violin
Full Circle tour.
April 12 @ 8:00 pm - 11:00 pmAlmost Queen
A tribute To Queen by Steve Leonard. We’re almost doing the fandango already.
April 12 @ 8:00 pm - 11:00 pmViolin River
Music of The Grateful Dead. Played only in Violin.
April 13 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pmSweet Mercy
Band specializing in rocking Americana originals and classic covers from folk, blues, old-timey jazz and rock and roll.
April 13 @ 8:00 pm - 11:00 pmGuys and Dolls
Hailed as the perfect musical comedy, this award-winning classic gambles with luck and love under the bright lights of Broadway. Based on characters created by journalist/short story writer Damon Runyon,
April 17 - April 27Dalton & The Sheriffs
Who shot the sheriff? Not Dalton! Country, of course.
April 17 @ 7:00 pm - 11:00 pmAllysen Callery
A favorite on the RI folk scene, her music has found its way overseas and has been embraced by listeners in the UK and Europe.
April 17 @ 8:00 pm - 11:00 pmDavid Wax Museum
The band’s sound blends the ancient and ever-relevant rhythms of traditional Mexican music with amber pop hues and unabashed rock riffs, all tethered together by seductive harmonies.
April 17 @ 8:00 pm - 11:00 pmBobby Christina’s Caravan
Tribute to Matt “Guitar” Murphy.
April 18 @ 7:30 pm - 10:00 pmGet The Led Out
Zeppelin tribute. Really, get it out- lead poisoning is no joke.
April 18 @ 8:00 pm - 11:00 pmOne Night of Queen
Aaaaaahaaaaah.
April 18 @ 8:00 pm - 11:00 pmBruce Mattson Band
Swampy New Orleans funk and blues.
April 18 @ 8:00 pm - 10:00 pmBadfish
Now this Sublime tribute band really puts on a show.
April 18 @ 8:00 pm - 11:00 pmGimme Gimme Disco
A DJ based dance party playing all your favorite ABBA hits, plus plenty of other disco hits from the 70s & 80’s.
April 18 @ 9:00 pm - April 19 @ 2:00 amSession Americana
A Boston-based folk/rock band/collective.
April 19 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pmThe Simon & Garfunkel Story
The internationally acclaimed concert style theatre show about two young boys from Queens, New York who went on to become the world’s most successful music duo of all time.
April 19 @ 8:00 pm - 11:00 pmJeff Pitchell and Texas Flood
High energy rhythm & blues, rock, soul, and funk.
April 19 @ 8:00 pm - 11:00 pmOne Night of Queen
Aaaaaahaaaaah.
April 19 @ 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm
LOCAL JAZZ IS STILL JUMPING IN RHODE ISLAND
Despite musical headwinds, local jazz is still alive and swinging in Rhode Island
Jazz in the Ocean State has seen a myriad of tough times, including, COVID aftershocks, digital streaming, stubborn inflation, and changing demographics. But, just like the changing tides of Narragansett […]
THE STORY OF THE CELEBRITY CLUB IN PROVIDENCE
Rhode Island’s First Integrated Jazz Club
Imagine on any given night during the 1950s being able to hear the swinging sounds of Count Basie, the bluesy diva Billie Holiday, or Louis Armstrong, one of the greatest […]
Is This Jazz?
Newport Jazz Fest ‘23
The time is upon us for yet another edition of the historic Newport Jazz Festival. This year for a change of pace from past guides, I’m going to focus on […]
Is This Jazz?
The First Sunday Jazz Jam at The Parlour
Since restarting in November 2021, The First Sunday Jazz Jam at The Parlour (Providence) has been steadily growing a dedicated following of musicians and listeners who have helped transform the […]
Chase Ceglie and His Jazz Quartet
Every Sunday, Firehouse Theater, Newport
Ice blanketed the sidewalk on a cold February night as I navigated the treacherous path to the Firehouse Theater in Newport. Water fell and dotted my glasses as I opened […]
Jazz Insights
The Bassman Playeth
Local jazz bass-guitarist Joe Potenza’s dad provided a cool variety of instruments for his family, while growing up in Providence. He tried them all, and got to favor the bass-guitar.Joe […]
The Life and Success of George Wein
an appreciation
Burt Jagolinzer, who has attended the Newport Jazz concerts for 67 years writes: George was my friend and my association with him was very important to me, each year… I […]
Thank You, George Wein
What his legacy means to the life of a local jazz musician
My first few years at the Newport Jazz and Folk Festivals were spent standing behind a cart, selling ice cold drinks to festival attendees. I’d chase the shade with my […]
Jazz Insights
William “Billy” Osborne
William “Billy” Osborne came from a Providence family of highly gifted and talented musicians. Rhode Island long enjoyed the voice and piano of his oldest brother Clay “Clarence” Osborn, who passed […]