Jazz follows folk at Newport’s Fort Adams

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Did you wait too long to buy tickets to last weekend’s Newport Folk Festival?

The incredible festival sold out before the lineup was even announced.

That didn’t stop George Wein from bringing in the best of the genre, a genre that is increasingly appealing to more and more music lovers who are looking for something that blends traditional with a more modern sound.

From the Spirit Family Reunion, an energetic group that has strong ties to Rhode Island to Bela Fleck, who knows his way around a banjo, there was something for everyone over the three-day extravaganza.

But Wein didn’t stop there. He could have, and the festival would have been a success. There was an “Unannounced” on the Saturday afternoon session. The thousands who found their way to the Fort Stage were treated to a 35-minute set by James Taylor.

Taylor first played the festival 46 years ago. His set was cut short when George Wein came to the stage to announce that Neil Armstrong had landed on the moon. Taylor said he came back to “finish the set.” What a finish it was!

There is always one new group that blows me away every year. This year it was Jon Baptiste and Stay Human, a New Orleans band that had the crowd roaring over their music style. What band today could get away with playing “Home on the Range” and “If You’re Happy and You Know It Clap Your Hands” and then close their set by marching through the crowd playing “Just a Closer Walk With They.”

The good news is that Baptiste will be at this week’s Newport Jazz Festival, playing three sets over the weekend.

Tickets are still available for the weekend, with a great lineup of newcomers and veteran jazz players like Chris Botti, Dr. John, Cassandra Wilson, Kenny Garrett and dozens more.

For information and tickets go online at www.Newportjazzfest.org.

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