MUSIC NEWS - The producer of Newport Jazz Festival in 1954 and the first Newport Folk Festival in 1959, George Wein, has submitted an application to obtain a license with the RI Department of Environmental Management (DEM) to produce a jazz festival and a folk festival in Newport, RI, this summer. It's already approved by the Rhode Island State Properties Committee. Wein hopes to negotiate a deal to produce the jazz fest on August 7 (thru 9) to celebrate 55 years of jazz in Newport and a July 31thru August 2 folk fest to celebrate 50 years of folk music. Both are to take place at RI's Fort Adams State Park.
Wein was the founder of the firm, Festival Promotions, which he sold to Festival Network LLC back in 2007. Festival Network has since defaulted on its five year deal after it was late in paying its share of the proceeds to the DEM, who operate the site. This ended the deal. Wein heard that the icense to produce the festivals in 2009 was available, so he decided to get back in the biz. “When I was informed that the festivals, which have been the most important part of my life since 1954 and 1959,
might be lost forever I realized that it was necessary for me to come back and apply for the rights to produce jazz and folk festivals in 2009 and beyond," Wein said in a statement. “Whatever success I have had as a national and international music impresario can be traced directly to my beginnings in Newport. The traditions we have established there mean everything to me.”
But, the name for this year's festivals are not known yet, nor are any sponsors. The artist lineups are expected to be released in April. The Newport Folk Festival had no overall sponsor last year (for the first time) and it's been reported that the event lost money for the organizers.
UPDATE 4/6/09- Lineup and ticket info announced today!
UPDATE 3/23/09 - See news from George Wein on the 2009 fests.
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