Newport Jazz Festival Lineup Announced

George Wein, producer and founder of the and chairman of the Newport Festivals Foundation and trade, announced the lineup for the 2012 Newport Jazz Festival Tuesday morning.

The festival will be presented by Natixis Global Asset Management and will be held on Aug. 3-5 at and the at Newport Casino.

Veterans Pat Metheny, Jack DeJohnette, Bill Frisell and others share the festival billing with relative newcomers Miguel Zenon, Jason Moran, Ambrose Akinmusire, Darcy James Argue, Dafnis Prieto, John Hollenbeck and others. In addition, award-winning artists Dianne Reeves and Tedeschi Trucks Band will be a major part of the festival, along with Maria Schneider, Kurt Elling and Joe Lovano. 

View the full lineup here.

"We are pleased that NGAM will again join us as we build upon the legacy of our annual celebration of jazz," said Wein. "In keeping with our mission that jazz is an ever evolving art form, we have produced a festival that features many of the younger artists that represent what jazz is today and tomorrow along with hall of fame veterans that have made jazz the great music that it is." 

"The multi-year partnership that NGAM has forged with the celebrated Newport Jazz Festival and impresario George Wein will provide an excellent platform to foster creativity, diversity and collaboration between artists, communities and businesses," said John T. Hailer, President & Chief Executive Officer, Natixis Global Asset Management - The Americas & Asia. "This is the second year we have partnered with the Newport Jazz Festival and we are pleased that the 2012 festival's focus on young musicians aligns well with our commitment to provide more opportunities for talented music students from countries all over the world." 

Tickets for the Newport Jazz go on sale worldwide Thursday, March 15, at 10 a.m. at www.newportjazzfest.net, by phone and by mail. A limited number of general admission adult two-day passes are available now for $ 135.00 for Saturday and Sunday. Single day general admission adult tickets are $74.00 in advance and $84.00 at the gate, if available. Children's tickets for ages 3 - 15 are $15.00 per day. Children under 3 are free. Parking passes are also available on-line for $12.00. Service charges apply to all tickets purchased on-line or by phone. 

Premium Seating tickets for Fort Adams concerts are available for $125.00 per day. Reserved Seating is $90.00. The Reserved/Premium Seating Section has been re-designed. The area in front of the stage will be returned to the general admission audience. A new, wider Reserved Section has been created with easy access from the road and better sightlines. There will be fewer seats than in past years; early purchase is recommended for the best selection. 

Single day general admission tickets also can be purchased in person at the located at 23 America's Cup Avenue. Visit www.gonewport.com for Visitor Center office hours and information. 

There will be a festival office in the Newport area where tickets can be purchased in person at a later date. For general information, craft vendor information or to leave a message for festival staff, call the festival hotline at (401) 848-5055. For more information, log on to www.newportjazzfest.net or www.newportfestivalsfoundation.org. 

This information has been provided by the Newport Jazz Festival.