Slide Hampton's composition and arrangement of Newport was first performed at the Newport Jazz Festival in July 1959 by Maynard Ferguson's orchestra. Later in the year the song was recorded in more modified form by Hampton on The Slide Hampton Octet and His Horn of Plenty (Strand).
Then Ferguson recorded Newport in March 1960 for his band's studio album Newport Suite (Roulette). In June, at the Newport Jazz Festival, the song finally appeared as Newport Suite, a title much more in keeping with its shifting structure.
A few days ago, JazzWax reader Jim Manley sent along a link to a newly posted YouTube clip of the Maynard Ferguson Orchestra in July 1959 performing Newport as well as other tracks from its evening festival set.
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This story appears courtesy of JazzWax by Marc Myers.
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