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Newport Jazz, Folk Fests Returning to Roots

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Lineups for the Newport folk and jazz festivals indicate both are returning to their roots.

Joan Baez and Pete Seeger, who played the first Newport festival in 1959 and remain vital figures in the folk genre, are scheduled to perform again this year. Judy Collins and Arlo Guthrie also are on the bill, along with more contemporary acts like the Decemberists and Iron and Wine.

“The whole concept of the folk festival is a reunion of the old people to celebrate 50 years of folk music in Newport — and to show how many young people are involved with folk music," said 83-year-old George Wein, who founded both festivals a half-century ago.

He stepped forward to produce them again this year as they lost the backing of their longtime sponsor amid a flagging economy that's made people think twice about traveling and spending money.

The jazz festival, meanwhile, will feature singers Tony Bennett and Etta James, saxophonist Branford Marsalis and the Dave Brubeck Quartet — a fixture at Newport.

The folk festival, which this year is formally known as George Wein's Folk Festival 50, is scheduled for July 31-Aug. 2. And George Wein's Jazz Festival 55 is scheduled for the following weekend. Both events will take place at Fort Adams State Park in Newport.

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