Jazz Fans Play Role For The Newport Jazz Festival® Gala Recording 2012 Project powered by ArtistShare®

NEWPORT, RI (PRWE September 28, 2012

George Wein and the Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc.™ invite jazz fans to take a front row seat for the future of jazz through the Newport Jazz Festival® Gala Recording 2012 Project powered by ArtistShare®. The recording project celebrates the unique experience shared by 250 guests at the fundraising gala for the not-for-profit 501(c)(3) Newport Festivals Foundation, which produces the Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals. The evening featured first-time collaborations by Jason Moran, Ingrid Jensen and Anat Cohen; Edmar Castañeda with Steve Wilson; Anat Cohen and Bill Frisell; Rudresh Mahanthappa with Lionel Loueke; Ingrid Jensen, Bill Frisell, Steve Wilson, Jason Moran and Lewis Nash; as well as a performance by Dianne Reeves with Peter Martin.

To participate in the Newport Jazz Festival® Gala Recording 2012 Project and to play an integral part in the legacy of the Newport Jazz Festival, please go to newportjazz.artistshare.com/. Although many world-renowned albums have been recorded at the Newport Jazz Festival since the 1950’s, this is first release to be produced by the festival.

There are five participant levels, including the Gala Limited Edition CD (available February 15, 2013) for $18.95, the Bronze level that offers an autographed numbered CD and exclusive access to all aspects of the project for $195 and the Executive Producer participant for $7,500. All contributions go to Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc. to help finance the 2012 Newport Festivals Gala project, as well as to continue the presentation of the creativity of the many young musicians on today’s jazz scene.

“The project best exemplifies the mission to show that jazz is an ever evolving art form,” said George Wein, Chairman of the Newport Festivals Foundation and producer of the Newport Jazz and Folk Festivals since their inceptions in 1954 and 1959. “These brilliant musicians were completely free to play what they wanted. Not only were guests treated to special performances unlike anything they had ever heard, but contributions from ArtistShare® participants will provide a one-of-a-kind opportunity for a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the music. Contributions also will allow us to commission original compositions from artists and feature these works at future Newport Jazz Festivals.”

Music lovers are invited to be a part of the project as it unfolds. Participants will receive an online backstage pass for a look at the 2012 Newport Jazz Festival. The culmination of the project will be a live CD recorded at the Newport Festivals Foundation® Gala event held on August 4 at Newport’s historic Marble House on Bellevue Avenue. Participants also will have the opportunity to receive priceless experiences such as a night on the town in New York City including dinner, discussion, and attending a Jazz performance with George Wein, a five-year pass to the Newport Jazz Festival, and the chance to announce one of the artist performances on stage at the 2013 festival. In addition to hearing exclusive previews of the gala recording, participants also will be able to follow the creative process behind the making of the CD including interviews with the artists and video from the event. Bronze participants and higher will be prominently credited on the packaging of the final recording and project website.

“I am hopeful that a jazz fan will come forward to participate in the Executive Producer offer, not just for the contribution. I especially look forward to the one-on-one experience with someone who shares my love and appreciation of the music and respects the importance of this historic festival. The 2012 Gala raised more than $200,000 and it is our hope that the CD will bring in a great deal more support to the foundation while raising awareness of our mission,” said Wein.

For more information on the Newport Jazz Festival Gala Recording 2012 Project and the participant offers, log on to newportjazz.artistshare.com/. To learn more about the Newport Festivals Foundation and its events, visit www.newportfestivalsfoundation.org, www.newportjazzfest.net and www.newportfolkfest.net.


The 2013 Newport Folk Festival is set for July 27 – 28 and the Newport Jazz Festival takes place the following weekend, August 2 – 4.