Known as the “first annual American jazz festival,” the iconic multi-day Newport Jazz Festival has hosted a who’s who of the genre since its inception in 1954. A 29-year-old Miles Davis catapulted his career with his legendary 1955 performance there, while Duke Eliington’s 1956 set has been cherished for years as one of the greatest jazz performances in history (later reconstructed on Ellington at Newport) and countless additional live albums have been recorded at the fest over the years from the likes of Nina Simone, Billie Holliday, Ella Fitzgerald, Muddy Waters, and beyond. The fest has evolved since those early days to include some rock, soul, and rap artists (this year saw appearances from Elvis Costello, Brittany Howard, and Noname, to name a few) while still championing the greatest contemporary sounds in jazz, with Kamasi Washington, Samara Joy, Robert Glasper, and even André 3000 represented on this year’s lineup.
FLOOD photographer Eleanor Petry was there to take in the music and the fest’s beautiful setting, with sailboats floating just off the shore of Fort Adams and seagulls hovering over relaxed attendees enjoying lobster rolls, oysters, and the iconic Del’s Lemonade. Check out live highlights, backstage portraits, and atmosphere shots of Newport Jazz Fest 2024 below.
Elvis Costello
Sun Ra Arkestra
Brittany Howard
Brittany Howard
Noname
Noname
Brandee Younger
Kamasi Washington
Cisco Swank
Cisco Swank
Cisco Swank
Bill Frisell
Jaleel Shaw
Thievery Corporation
Thievery Corporation
Justin Tyson
Lianne La Havas
Terrace Martin
Alex Isley
The Mesthetics
