Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc.™ Celebrates GRAMMY Awards for Festival Impresario George Wein and Several Newport Jazz Festival® Artists

 George Wein, Wayne Shorter, Neil Portnow // Photo by Michal Kovax/WireImage)

The Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc.™ continues the celebration of its Chairman, George Wein, who received the Trustees Award at the 57th Annual  GRAMMY® ceremonies in Los Angeles on February 7 and 8.  The Special Merit Award recognizes Wein's outstanding contributions in areas other than performance, including the founding and production of the Newport Jazz Festival®, Newport Folk Festival® and New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival®.

The tribute was especially exciting when the ceremony host, hip-hop artist/actor LL Cool J gave a special shout out to the honoree:  "George Wein defined what musical festivals could be with the Newport Jazz Festival, Newport Folk Festival and New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. He's a great guy. More than anyone, George set the stage for what great festivals today look like. Festivals like Coachella, Bonnaroo - he made this possible. George is 89 years young and strong and still playing piano beautifully ... everybody say hi George!" 

Three artists who will perform at this year's Newport Jazz Festival presented by Natixis Global Asset Management also celebrated GRAMMY wins at last night's ceremony:

BEST LATIN JAZZ ALBUM

"The Offense of the Drum," Arturo O'Farrill & the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra

BEST ARRANGEMENT, INSTRUMENTS AND VOCALS 

"New York Tendaberry," Billy Childs, arranger (Billy Childs Featuring Renée Fleming & Yo-Yo Ma)

  

BEST MUSIC FILM

"20 Feet from Stardom," Lisa Fischer, Darlene Love, Merry Clayton & Judith Hill

In addition, Chick Corea's "Trilogy"  won Best Jazz Instrumental Album, on which Christian McBride is the bassist.

The Christian McBride Trio with Christian Sands and Ulysses Owens takes the Newport stage on Friday, July 31, while Ms. Lisa Fischer & Grand Baton perform on Saturday, August 1. Billy Childs' Jazz-Chamber Ensemble and Arturo O'Farrill's Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra with special guest Rudresh Mahanthappa play on Sunday, August 2, all at Fort Adams State Park.

The 2015 edition of America's first annual jazz festival will feature Chris Botti, Cassandra Wilson, Jamie Cullum, Snarky Puppy, Maria Schneider, Arturo Sandoval, Kenny Garrett, Fred Hersch, Cecile McLorin Salvant, Jon Batiste, Kneebody, Hiromi, Michel Camilo, Jon Faddis, James Carter, Bill Frisell, Mike Stern/Bill Evans Band, Ambrose Akinmusire, Tom Harrell, Pat Martino, Matana Roberts, John Hollenbeck,  Dr. John and many others.