Christian McBride Announces Departure From Newport Jazz

Christian McBride Announces Departure From Newport Jazz

Christian McBride, the leader of the Newport Jazz Festival organization, has announced his departure on social media.

McBride succeeded George Wein as creative director.

 

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He posted:

 

No tears,

No fears,

Remember there’s always tomorrow.

So what if we have to part,

We’ll be together again.

Sadly, I will no longer see you at Newport. It’s time for me to move on. But don’t worry, I’ll see you. The jazz community has always been and always will be a close family. It’s been an absolutely breathtaking nine-year run. Thank you,

.

As GoLocal reported in 2016, when McBride arrived:

Christian McBride, a multi-Grammy-winning bassist, has been named artistic director of the Newport Jazz Festival. McBride will work alongside and eventually succeed pianist/producer George Wein.

"I am deeply humbled by my appointment as artistic director of the Newport Jazz Festival - the most storied and legendary jazz festival in history. To be able to work with a legend like George Wein, not only as a musician, but now as an understudy, is a task I will cherish and approach with openness and excitement.  I'm also looking forward to working with consummate producers Danny Melnick and Jay Sweet as well as with the entire festival team," said McBride.

Wein is the chairman of Newport Festivals Foundation Inc. and producer of the Newport Jazz Festival since its inception in 1954.

"I am very pleased that Christian McBride is available to join forces with the Festival and Foundation. I'm looking forward to working with him as the beacon of the future of Newport Jazz Festivals and continuing to collaborate with Danny to produce some of the world's finest music events. When I first met and heard a teenage Christian McBride in 1989, I knew that he was someone special. Little did I know that nearly 30 years later, he would become the special someone to continue my legacy. The Foundation's Board and I feel that the festival is in good hands and these two music mavericks are more than capable to sustain the festival for decades to come," said Wein.