Some 200 people were arrested, a town record. Saturday was much worse, with thousands of people unable to enter the sold-out shows roaming the city streets and battling police. In 1960, local papers on July 1 noted a string of violent, but minor, incidents in town on the opening Friday. Nonetheless, the festival continued annually and increased in popularity, aided in part by 1958 concert footage released as the documentary film Jazz on a Summer's Day the following year. Racist attitudes were probably a factor in some residents' opposition to the festival too as it commonly was across the country at that time. Moreover, many of the musicians and their fans were African American. Traffic gridlock and other contention near the downtown venue were legitimate concerns.
Newport was at first not accustomed to this. Many attendees were students who, in the absence of sufficient lodging, slept outdoors wherever they could, with or without tents. Jazz appreciation was not common within the established upper-class community, and the festival brought crowds of younger music fans to Newport. Some Newport residents were opposed to the festival. Consequently, the workshops and receptions were held at Belcourt, while the music was presented at Freebody Park, an arena for sports near the casino. However, the neighborhood disallowed that plan, citing concerns about potential disturbance. Festival backer Elaine Lorillard, with her husband, purchased " Belcourt", a large estate which was available locally, in hopes of hosting the festival there. The Newport Casino would not again host the festival since its lawn and other facilities did not stand up well to such a large event. In 1955, organizers were planning a second year for the festival but needed to find a new venue. Louis Armstrong and producer Willis Conover, Newport Jazz Festival, 1958 In general, the festival was regarded as a major success. The festival was hailed by major magazines and newspapers, and some 13,000 people attended between the two days. These performances were given by a number of notable jazz musicians, including Billie Holiday, and were emceed by Stan Kenton. The live performances were set outdoors, on a lawn. It incorporated academic panel discussions and featured live musical performances. In 1954, the first Newport Jazz Festival (billed as the "First Annual American Jazz Festival") was held at Newport Casino, in the Bellevue Avenue Historic District of Newport, Rhode Island. It is often held in the same month as the Newport Folk Festival.įestival's establishment at Newport 1950s
The festival is hosted in Newport at Fort Adams State Park. From 1984 to 2008, the festival was known as the JVC Jazz Festival in the economic downturn of 2009, JVC ceased its support of the festival and was replaced by CareFusion. In 1981, it became a two-site festival when it was returned to Newport while continuing in New York. In 1972, the Newport Jazz Festival was moved to New York City. Most of the early festivals were broadcast on Voice of America radio, and many performances were recorded and released as albums. They hired George Wein to organize the first festival and bring jazz to Rhode Island. Elaine Lorillard established the festival in 1954, and she and husband Louis Lorillard financed it for many years. The Newport Jazz Festival is an annual American multi-day jazz music festival held every summer in Newport, Rhode Island.
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