{"id":568,"date":"2017-12-04T17:22:48","date_gmt":"2017-12-04T17:22:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wsu.tonahangen.com\/fysfifties\/?p=568"},"modified":"2017-12-13T21:25:03","modified_gmt":"2017-12-13T21:25:03","slug":"the-newport-jazz-festival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wsu.tonahangen.com\/fysfifties\/the-newport-jazz-festival\/","title":{"rendered":"The Newport Jazz Festival"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Elena Mouradian <\/p>\n

Throughout the 1950s, jazz music in America became increasingly popular. The Depression, World War II, and Postwar years were responsible for creating the unique jazz sound. This sound came from the migration of African Americans to the north who blended gospel music, blues, and traditional African music (270). One of the reasons for the growth of jazz music in the 50s was due to the growing popularity of the television. The television replaced the need for radio in many households and became the most important entertainment medium. It benefited jazz musicians because instead of playing through the radio, they could appear on variety programs and specials. Specials would feature live jazz from performers such as Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, and Miles Davis. Their appearance increased America\u2019s desire to watch jazz musicians perform and to listen to the sound live. It paved the way for modern day jazz bars and concerts. <\/p>\n

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The First Newport Jazz Festival on July 17, 1954<\/em><\/p><\/div>In 1954, The Newport Jazz Festival was established in Newport, Rhode Island. Elaine Lorillard and Louis Lorillard believed that jazz music deserves a big festival just like other genres. They contacted jazz musician and producer George Wein to help them establish the event. The group named the event the \u201cFirst Annual American Jazz Festival\u201d. (Hevesi) It is normally held over a weekend on a lawn or outdoor location. Not only did it incorporate live jazz performances, but it also featured panel discussions. <\/p>\n

Although the first festival had about 7,000 fans at the Newport Casino, it came with opposition for many reasons. Newport was not prepared for the large attendance and traffic that the festival brought and they also had a problem with some fans sleeping in tents. Many fans slept in tents because most of them were not from the area. The jazz festival attracted a young crowd and the majority of that crowd were black. Racist attitudes in an old upper-class community was most likely the creation of the opposition. The beginning years came with opposition, but it did not stop the festival from growing larger and larger. <\/p>\n

Since its first event in 1954, the Newport Jazz Festival has continued to be held every summer. Many famous jazz artists have given performances that provided the spotlight and popularity that the event has gained. There were a number of notable events and performances. For example, Lester Young joining Billie Holiday onstage in 1954, Paul Gonsalves\u2019 soloing with the help of the Duke Ellington Orchestra for 27 choruses of \u201cDiminuendo and Crescendo in Blue\u201d in 1956, Frank Sinatra arriving in a helicopter for his first and only time performing in 1965, and Louis Armstrong and Mahalia Jackson singing \u201cJust a Closer Walk With Thee\u201d for his 70th birthday tribute in 1970 (Smith). <\/p>\n