George Wein
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Born in October of 1925 in Boston, Massachusetts, George Wein is a famous jazz promoter and producer known as “the most famous jazz impresario.” His career began while he was studying at Boston University when he led a small group that played professionally around the Boston area. The success of his career sky-rocketed as he opened his own jazz club and record label, both called Storyville, in the 50’s. One of the largest accomplishments to his name was when he founded what is arguably the most well-known jazz festival in the U.S., the Newport Jazz Festival. Wein went on to start festivals in other cities, such as the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Los Angeles’ Playboy Jazz Festival, and the Newport Folk Festival.
Wein has been honored a number of awards for his excellent work with jazz concerts. In 1995 he received the Patron of the Arts Award from the Studio Museum of Harlem, and in 2004 received an Impact Award from the AARP. He also has been honored at the White House by two presidents, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, and in 2005 was named “Jazz Master” by the National Endowment for the Arts.
George Wein finds corporate sponsor for Newport and New York jazz festivals
Jazz impresario George Wein has found a corporate sponsor for his Jazz Festival 55 in Fort Adams Park in Newport, RI, August 7-9. CareFusion, a medical equipment manufacturer for hospitals and the provider of medical services, will not only sponsor the Newport jazz festival but also the revival of Wein's Jazz Festival New York next June.
The New York festival was cancelled this season after 34 years when Festival Network had financial problems, compounded by JVC withdrawing all of its sponsorships internationally this year. Wein sold his Festivals Productions two years ago to Festival Network.
George Wein's Folk Festival 50 ticket sales begin May 6
Ticket on-sales for producer George Wein's rejuvenated Folk Festival 50 begin May 6 at 10 a.m. through the festival's official Web site. This year's event will be held at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, RI, on August 1-2.
Adults can purchase tickets in advance for $69 or on festival weekend for $75, as supplies last. Children ages 3 to 15 can get in for $15 at all times, and admission for children under 3 is free. A limited number of two-day passes are available for $125. There are service charges for tickets purchased online or by telephone and a $4 handling charge per order for tickets ordered by mail.
George Wein produces New York City gigs as JVC Jazz Festival folds
June is normally jazz month in New York City with the long-running JVC Jazz Festival New York covering close to two weeks of shows in concert halls and clubs. With JVC feeling the pinch of the recession and dropping its sponsorship of concerts, combined with Festival Network apparently still in financial straits, there will be no major jazz festival this coming June in Gotham.
Jazz Festival New York used to be produced by George Wein, who sold his Festival Productions to the Festival Network two years ago. However, Wein is producing three jazz concerts in June at Carnegie Hall in New York: British vocalist Jamie Cullum on June 20, and Canadian pianist/vocalist Diana Krall with a symphony orchestra on June 23-24.
Mos Def added to lineup for George Wein's Jazz Festival 55
Mos Def, Claudia Acuna and Ernest Ranglin have been added to George Wein's Jazz Festival 55, set for August 7-9 in Newport, RI. Other additions are Vandermark 5; Branford-Joey Duo; North Carolina Central University Big Band; Millennial Territory Orchestra; Rashied Ali, Charles Gayle and William Parker's "By Any Means"; and Alfredo Rodriguez.
There are two locations for the festival: International Tennis Hall of Fame and Fort Adams State Park. Appearing at the International Tennis Hall of Fame on August 7 are Etta James and The Roots Band for the opening night event.
George Wein negotiating for Newport Folk & Jazz Festivals
George Wein, producer of the seminal Newport Jazz Festival in 1954 and the first Newport Folk Festival in 1959, has submitted his application to negotiate a license with the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) to produce a jazz festival and a folk festival in Newport, RI, this summer. It has been approved by the Rhode Island State Properties Committee.
Wein will negotiate a contract to produce a gala jazz festival from August 7-9 celebrating 55 years of jazz in Newport as well as a celebration of 50 years of folk music from July 31-August 2. Both festivals will take place at Fort Adams State Park.
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