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Newport Jazz Festival 2013

By Timothy J. O'Keefe
August 7, 2013
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Newport Jazz Festival Presented by Natixis Global Asset Management
Fort Adams State Park
Newport, RI
August 4, 2013

"What do you want to hear?"

Roy Haynes

drums
1926 - 2024

" data-original-title="" title="">Roy Haynes' booming voice asked the audience. Wearing white satin pants and a tangerine shirt, he strolled across the stage and made his way toward the drum kit. Amid varied yells for song titles, he bashed a drum and the band tore into a fast- moving version of "James."

"How ya'll feel out there?" Haynes asked in response to crowd's applause at the song's conclusion. "And you look so good, too."

At 88 years young, the Fountain of Youth bandleader showed little signs of slowing down. Stepping out from behind the drums, Haynes tapped a quick ditty, adjusted his pants, and said "I think I'm losing weight. They got beer here?"

Of course they had beer there. Louis Jadot wine samples, too. And just like that, memories were being made at the latest installment of the Newport Jazz Festival Presented by Natixis Global Asset Management— a festival that continues to portray the rich and varied sounds that comprise the jazz genre.

The Massachusetts Music Educators Association All-State Jazz Band opened the festival with big band music on "Blues for Stephanie." The second piece, "Dangerous Curves," enticed passers-by to stop and stay for a listen. Chris Robotham's sparkling vibes opened the third selection, an arrangement of

Steely Dan

band / ensemble / orchestra
b.1972

" data-original-title="" title="">Steely Dan's "Do It Again" that left lots of room for tenor saxophonist Anton Derevyanko to express his thoughts.

Jon Batiste at the Newport Jazz Festival 2013—? 2013 Richard Conde

Jazz has been called "America's Music." Befittingly, pianist

Jon Batiste

piano
b.1986

" data-original-title="" title="">Jon Batiste opened his set playing a series of broken melodies, partial chord phrasings, and lush runs that congealed for an interpretation of the "Star Spangled Banner." At several points in the number, Batiste humorously paused mid-thought, teasing the ears in the audience. The crowd laughed, and then Batiste's heavy left hand thundered the piece to a close. "Wow!" one fan screamed, drowned by an ocean of cheers.

Batiste picked up a melodica, a small wind instrument that usually spans three octaves. Blowing air into it, and pressing its keys, the Stay Human band joined him on a version of Roberta Flack's "Killing Me Softly." Ibanda Ruhumbika furnished the bottom on tuba, and Joe Saylor opted for tambourine instead of his usual drums.

As the set continued, Batiste played a new phrase on the wind instrument. Staring in Saylor's direction, the tambourine furnished a rhythm. Batiste then engaged in a short call-and-response approach with alto saxophonist Eddie Barbash. Merging these seemingly disparate sounds and musical ideas the band played the upbeat sing-along, "Sunny Side of the Street."

Joshua Redman

saxophone
b.1969

" data-original-title="" title="">Joshua Redman delivered a set that featured his band's strong improvisational sensibilities, opening with

George Gershwin

composer / conductor
1898 - 1937

" data-original-title="" title="">George Gershwin's "Summertime." The tenor saxophonist spanned the gamut of sound—warm and round, well-thought and clear, harsh and dirty. After completing a solo on the opener, Redman stepped aside, allowing the trio to explore. Intricate and expansive, the interplay between bassist

Reuben Rogers

bass, acoustic

" data-original-title="" title="">Reuben Rogers, drummer

Gregory Hutchinson

drums
b.1970

" data-original-title="" title="">Gregory Hutchinson and pianist

Aaron Goldberg

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Aaron Goldberg was central to the performance.

Joshua Redman at the Newport Jazz festival 2013—? 2013 Richard Conde

Reflecting on the festival, Goldberg explained, "I have attended many Newport festivals, as a performer and as part of the audience. I grew up in Boston, not too far away, so Newport is very special to me. This is a perfect Newport day. The weather is perfect, and this audience is the perfect Newport audience. I'm really enjoying myself and I can't wait to hear more music."

The second piece, "Doll Is Mine," was from the group's upcoming album. Additional selections for the set included "Curly Q," "Stardust," and "Barracudas."

"Happy Birthday

Louis Armstrong

trumpet and vocals
1901 - 1971

" data-original-title="" title="">Louis Armstrong!" trumpeter

Gregory Davis

trumpet
b.1957

" data-original-title="" title="">Gregory Davis said as

Dirty Dozen Brass Band

band / ensemble / orchestra
b.1977

" data-original-title="" title="">Dirty Dozen Brass Band broke into "Do it Fluid." A musical hodgepodge, this crew of slippery horn tricksters mixed elements of funk, bebop, and New Orleans music. "I love this sound!" a woman said, just one of the many who danced, clapped, and laughed as the band worked its way through "Tomorrow," "Best of All," and "Get Up."

Dee Alexander

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Dee Alexander led a series of vocal explorations in tandem with percussionist Erie Adams, pianist Miguel de la Cerna and bassist

Harrison Bankhead

bass, acoustic

" data-original-title="" title="">Harrison Bankhead.

Bankhead introduced a slow piece, arco style, in which the bass provided Alexander's only accompaniment. As he drew a bow across the strings, deep notes rolled from the hollow of the wooden instrument. Abandoning the bow, Bankhead's melodic playing was front and center. He plucked tones on the bass' low end, while simultaneously creating slides and haunting chord tones in the upper register, constantly working with and against the directions of the vocals.

"This is my first experience at Newport," Alexander explained later in the day. "I think it is incredible how I have been received. People came up to me and told me they enjoyed my performance. I guess it means I'm doing something right," she said with a laugh. "It's very humbling. I think it's a blessing, and mind boggling, that I get to share my music. I always like to interact with my audience. I appreciate my audience, and I don't take this for granted."

"Butterfly" saw Adams played the drum kit using his hands—a true percussion player—while Alexander's vocal journey found a way toward electronic phase and flange effects. "Nature Boy," more of a ballad, was followed by "Guess Who I Saw Today."

Chick Corea

piano
1941 - 2021

" data-original-title="" title="">Chick Corea's band, a quintet dubbed The Vigil, stretched out on an interstellar set of three songs, "Fingerprints," "Portals to Forever," and "Galaxy 33 Star Four," that lasted over an hour.

"We want you to know that it is an honor to be here again on this bandstand," pianist

Eddie Palmieri

piano
1936 - 2025

" data-original-title="" title="">Eddie Palmieri said as his Latin Jazz Orchestra made its way to the stage. Palmieri opened with "Noble Cruise," which was partially dedicated to Thelonious Monk and partially a takeoff on

Herbie Hancock

piano
b.1940

" data-original-title="" title="">Herbie Hancock's "Maiden Voyage." After soloing, Palmieri left the piano and enthusiastically waved his arms as he directed the percussion section, then brought the piece to its close.

Eddie Palmieri at the Newport Jazz Festival 2013—? 2013 Richard Conde

Calling Nelson Gonzalez, Joseph Gonzalez, and Herman Olivera to the bandstand, Palmieri dubbed his group a Salsa orchestra. Peopled danced to "Muneca," "Palo Pa Rumba," and the closing piece, "Azucar."

As the sun dropped to the lower portion of its daily arc, golden rays stretched across the small peninsula in Newport Harbor. The rhythmic patterns of jazz go back to Africa, Palmieri explained during his set, and Cuba, that taught the world to dance. Salsa, big band, vocal, bop, and funk—these are but a few of creative, and inspiring sounds that could be heard throughout the day. Jazz: America's music that draws from world traditions; a perfect Newport day.

Photo Credit
Richard Conde

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