Wandering the grounds of Fort Adams during the Newport Jazz Festival is like cruising through a mixtape that a perceptive pal made for you. The selections are inspired, the change-ups come fast, and surprises await. This year’s three-day event, sponsored by Natixis Investment Managers (shout-out to any entity that dumps loot into the laps of improvisers), was no different. It boasted an array of talent and a wealth of perspectives. Executive producer Jay Sweet, artistic director Christian McBride, and festival founder George Wein pride themselves on covering lots of ground, and for the last two years, their curation chops have been strong. There are four stages on site at this late date, ranging from Storyville’s intimate indoor confines to the open expanse of the majestic Fort setting, whose vistas open west to the island of Jamestown and north up Narragansett Bay. The weather was radiant—except for Saturday’s near-apocalyptic downpour. Here’s a JazzTimes 10’s worth of impressive snapshots from a weekend rich with invention.
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