Newport Festivals Foundation Chairman George Wein revealed 2012 dates for the two festivals, setting Newport Folk for July 28-29 and Newport Jazz for Aug. 3-5.
What Wein didn’t mention was the venue for the two festivals. But then, Newport Jazz and Newport Folk have been mainstays at Rhode Island’s Fort McAdams State Park for almost forever.
Wein has produced the jazz and folk festivals since the beginning, with Newport Jazz launching in 1954 and Newport Folk in 1959. Apparently, he wanted to announce the new dates ASAP.
“Following a sold-out 2011 Folk Festival and a very successful Jazz Festival, we want to make sure that music fans throughout the area and around the world have the 2012 dates on their calendars early,” Wein said in a statement.
Although it’s way too early to begin talking about the lineup, past Newport Jazz performers include Branford Marsalis, Herbie Hancock, Wynton Marsalis and Dave Brubeck. Newport Folk alumni include Elvis Costello, Emmylou Harris, Justin Townes Earle and Bob Dylan.
For more information, click here for the Newport Folk Festival’s website and here for Newport Jazz Festival’s Web HQ.