Newport Jazz Festival 2026
by Steve Klamkin
The 72nd Newport Jazz Festival, held July 31 to August 2 brought a mix of artists, to Fort Adams State Park, ranging from headliners Herbie Hancock, Robert Glasper, Jon Batiste and Kamasi Washington to up-and-coming performers like Mei Semones, Mohini Dey, and bands made up of young, Rhode Island – based players.
From well established jazz masters like Billy Hart and Charles Lloyd to stars from other fields making their debuts at the Festival, such as Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers to Lake Street Dive.
All three days were sold out well in advance, and newly appointed Newport Jazz Festival Artistic Director Grammy Award – winning drummer Nate Smith was seemingly everywhere, introducing acts, playing with his own ensemble, even filling in with a pickup band of all-star artists when one performer was sidelined by last-minute laryngitis.
Dates for the next Festival were announced: July 30 – August 1, 2027.
Linda May Han Oh
Linda May Han Oh is one of jazz’s most in-demand bassists and composers. She has performed with a who’s who of jazz artists and released numerous albums as a leader. An Associate Professor at the Berklee College of Music in Boston and part of its Institute for Jazz and Gender Justice, she was appointed a 2026 Guggenheim Fellow. She spoke with Steve Klamkin.
Nduduzo Makhathini
Nduduzo Makhathini is a pianist, composer and Doctor of Music from South Africa. He has won numerous awards and released more than a dozen albums. He made his Newport Jazz Festival debut on August 2, 2026, and spoke with Steve Klamkin.
1 Nduduzo Makhathini at 2026 Newport Jazz.mp3
Olive Jones
Olive Jones is a London-based singer, songwriter and guitarist. Her style includes influences from R&B, soul, blues and “alt-folk”. No stranger to festivals, this was her debut at the Newport Jazz Festival, as she played her own solo set, followed by a collaboration with the British-based group Gotts Street Park. She spoke with Steve Klamkin.
1 Olive Jones at the 2026 Newport Jazz Festival.mp3
