Newport Jazz Festival Artistic Director Christian McBride Steps Down

Christian McBride, artistic director for Newport Jazz Festival, has stepped down after a decade-long tenure with the Newport, Rhode Island, festival.McBride was personally appointed to the role by festival founder George Wein in 2015, and ushered in a new era for the festival while working to honor its legacy.

“It has been a tremendous honor to serve as Artistic Director of the Newport Jazz Festival,” McBride said in a statement. “When George invited me to take the baton, I did so with deep pride and a sense of duty to continue the extraordinary legacy he built ≠ celebrating jazz’s past, present and future.

“As with any long-standing institution, artistic perspectives evolve over time. As the festival continues to grow and shift, I’ve come to recognize that my vision is best pursued in other ways. I step away with gratitude for the experience and pride in what we’ve built together. Every festival season has been a joy, and I’ll always cherish the moments we created together at Fort Adams. Newport will always be a part of me.”

McBride will serve as host and musical director for George Wein’s Centennial Celebration at City Winery in New York on Oct. 7 before he officially concludes his tenure.

“The Newport Festivals Foundation and our Newport Jazz Festival have been fortunate to be blessed wtih Christian McBride’s unmatched virtuosity, creative curiosity and magnanimity as both a person and an artist,” the organization said in a statement. “His deep respect in the jazz community created immesasurable goodwill for our festival and nonprofit mission. Christian has helped foster a community filled with engagement, collaboration and joy. He is leaving us changed for the better, and we will do our best to carry on his indelible legacy.

“We wish him the very best in all his pursuits, and can’t wait to welcome him back home to the Newport stage in the future.”