In 1954 New England, jazz remained a dirty word that only sounded among junkies in smoky cellars. Yet George Wein launched a jazz festival that year in Newport, Rhode Island, one of the whitest, wealthiest enclaves on the East Coast. Shortly thereafter, much of America set aside its historic affection for European music and culture to learn and to embrace the language of the blues, swing and jazz. It is fair to say that the Newport Jazz Festival now 50 years old, changed the way people in the United States listen to music.
George Wein, founder and CEO of Festival Productions, Inc., producers of the Newport Jazz Festival, The Newport Folk Festival, The JVC Jazz Festival, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and many others
Roy Haynes, drummer
Marian McPartland, pianist and host of "Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz."
Marian McPartland and George Wein Reminisce listen
