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Newport Jazz Festival Gets A Long Lease

Newport Jazz Festival Gets A Long Lease
Gov. Gina Raimondo and Newport Folk Festival founder George Wein announce lease extension. Photo Credit: Marc Gentilella
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NEWPORT, R.I. (CelebrityAccess) Looks like the Newport Jazz Festival in Rhode Island will be around a bit longer – 25 years to be exact.

Gov. Gina Raimondo and Newport Festivals Foundation Chairman George Wein took the stage today after a performance by Lukas Nelson & The Promise Of The Real to announce that the state has reached an agreement to keep the famous music festival in the state for another quarter century.  Raimondo also announced the Department of Environmental Management has entered into a 40-year lease with Newport Folk Festival for Building 16 to build a museum with displays to the Newport Jazz and Folk Festivals.

In essence, as Raimondo and Wein said from stage, the festival will be in Rhode Island for another 40 years.

“I’m thrilled that the Folk Festival and the Jazz Festival are staying right here in Newport where they belong,” Raimondo said. “The two festivals have been signature celebrations at Fort Adams under the leadership of their founder, George Wein, for decades, and attract thousands of visitors to Rhode Island. We’re delighted to partner with Newport Festivals Foundation to continue hosting these world-class events at Fort Adams well into the future. This agreement helps Rhode Island sustain and expand the attractions that make us an unforgettable, fun-sized destination.”

“When I was asked by the Lorillards to come to Newport in 1954, I never thought I would be here 64 years later still presenting the music I love – jazz and folk,” Wein said. “But here we are, thanks to Governor Raimondo, the Rhode Island DEM, and the wonderful people of Rhode Island. We are looking forward to 40 more years of great music and educating young people to the rich musical history of these great festivals. I hope to be here for a good number of these years.”
CelebrityAccess’ Marc Gentilella with Newport Folk Festival Executive Producer Jay Sweet
Marc Gentilella With Ben Harper
Marc Gentilella with Langhorne Slim
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