NEW YORK (AP) — Miles Davis wasn’t even listed in the program book when he appeared for the first time at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1955, but he made his presence felt with a career-reviving performance in an all-star jam session.
This year’s program book is Miles-centric as the festival, which begins Friday, celebrates the 60th anniversary of the late jazz legend’s historic Newport debut.
Newport Festival founder George Wein has asked the trumpeters on next weekend’s program — Chris Botti, Peter Evans, Jon Faddis, Tom Harrell, Arturo Sandoval and Bria Skonberg — to mark the anniversary by performing at least one Miles Davis number. There will also be panel discussions focusing on Davis.
Earlier this month, Columbia/Legacy released a four-CD box set comprised of Davis’ performances at the Newport festival and spinoff events from 1955 to 1975.
