Though the chatter at the Newport Jazz Festival seemed to circle back around two sets of newcomers to the festival Canadian duo Angine de Poitrine, an artfully polka dot disguised powerhouse robo-jazz-rock band, and the rhythm half of Red Hot Chile Peppers, Chad Smith and Flea, who both played with Jon Batiste, day 3 of the Newport Jazz festival was also full of excitement and energy.
On the main stage, British singer Celeste was both daring, sultry with her Sousie Sioux inspired make up performed a mix of harrowing bluesy ballads and upbeat songs, including “This is Who I Am”, a James Bond-like sweeping cinematic piece from her 2025 album Woman of Faces, also used for the British TV show The Jackal, as well as earlier work “Strange” (2021), “Love is Back” (2020). Though there are some obvious legends among this genre, Adele and Amy Winehouse to name but a few, Celeste still finds a way to be genuine. Her stage presence and theatrics with crowds (and photographers) helped make her a stand out act at the festival.
Another British performer, Arlo Parks gave a very different performance at the Quad Stage. Her voice was silky and light over synth and bass underpinnings. Performing here with Sam Harding on bass and synths, the two person group offered a warm and lively set, keeping the crowd buoyant as Parks artfully bobbed and weaved on stage.
Flea, known for his aggressive-funky style bass for Red Hot Chili Peppers, appeared with his jazz group the Honora Band (producer-musican Josh Johnson, Anna Butters on bass, Deatoni Parks on drums).The four member band played much of their current album Honora, a dedication to Flea’s mother-in-law, which contains some beautiful and powerful tracks from start to finish.
Starting off with electric bass and some high energy and very entertaining dance moves, Flea turned to his trumpet, an instrument he had begun learning as a child, and proved adept and soulful. Though original tracks from his new album Honora are solid and thoughtful, there are some great covers, including Frank Ocean’s 2012 “Thinkin’ Bout You”, and Flea’s version of the 1968 Glen Campbell hit “Wichita Linesman”, penned by Jimmy Webb, which appears on the album Honora with Nick Cave, but here the purity of live instrumental version creates something more unexpected and introspective.
The band also covers Funkadelic’s iconic 1971 “Maggot Brain”, an early masterpiece of
rock/funk fusion with a searing odyssey-like guitar solo by Eddie Hazel. Instead, Flea and his band offer a beautiful and worthy interpretation with Flea’s haunting trumpet replacing lead guitar.
Later on the Fort Stage, another bassist Thundercat delivered his signature quirky and artful bass in front of an enthusiastic crowd, supported by his tour band Dennis Hamm (keyboards/synthesizer) and the fantastic Justin Brown (drums, performing) in gold disco ball-clad helmet.
As the afternoon humidity turned to a cool early evening rain, the highly anticipated Herbie Hancock set filled every inch of viewing space at the Fort Stage. Starting off with “Watermelon Man” (1962), an iconic and innovative slow and heavy jazz funk instrumental, Hancock and his band wasted no time getting down to a crowd pleasing jam. The energy of his Korg synthesizers and the keyboard guitar, or Keytar dug deep into a familiar groove.
From the most impactful living jazz musician, whose own catalog of original music started back in 1962 with Take Off! Hancock is probably the key ingredient for the success of jazz-funk, not to mention jazz-rock genre, electro-funk genres, and a significant contributor to the wider appeal of jazz. Moreover, his massive 1983 club hit Rockit ( I saw him perform this in London in the mid 80s) fused scratch techniques with electro and jazz to create a dynamic and unmistakable hit that has influenced a generation of recording artists.
A master who doesn’t feel he has to outplay or outshine the musicians he’s with, the band, Terrance Blanchard ( Trumpet), Jaylen Petinaud (drums), James Genus(Bass), and Lionel Loueke ( guitar and vocals) work to produced a cohesive and powerhouse set that also puts all of their talents to the fore. With Hancock’s stunning multi-decade catalog available, they formed each track with precision, purpose, and verve. However, Hancock also paid tribute to longtime friend and collaborator Wayne Shorter “He’s not here any longer, but here in my heart” by playing Shorter’s 1966 “Footprints” with Blanchard on trumpet.
Later in the set Hancock treated us to a melding composition of three signature pieces – the aforementioned electro funk hit “Rockit” (1983), “Spider” (1976), and “Hang up Your Hangups” (1975). To hear parts of all of thes tracks in a familiar but new form was fascinating and unexpected. Hancock’s jumping pogo footwork with guitarist Loueke showed us that even at the age of 86 is still very much in love with performing.
The finale for Hancock and the 2016 Newport Festival was from the iconic and game changing “Chameleon” from the1973 Headhunters album. The energy perfectly combined on stage to produce an energetic rendition of the iconic track. The elated crowd chants “Herbie! Herbie! Herbie!” under the persistence of rain, which did nothing to lessen the joy and satisfaction of being in the presence of one of the all time true greats.
The weekend proved again that Newport Jazz is a festival dedicated to exploring all forms of jazz while continuing to support and honor the past, but also pointing many ways forward in a genre that still seems undefinable.
To submit an article an article or review, or to just say hello hit us at lmnandr@gmail.com
Also- check out the search feature in the upper right hand corner and search for your favorite artist, event, venue or genre. You’ll be surprised at what you find!
Check out the Live Music News and Review.com Facebook page for updates and announcements.
