BROWSE BY DATE

SUPPORT GREAT STORYTELLING

We rely on your support to remain on air and online. Your contribution helps us bring you interviews with great American artists and the carefully curated music mix that you’ve enjoyed over the years.

Donate

 

AMERICAN ROUTES ON INSTAGRAM

NEWPORT JAZZ AND FOLK FESTIVALS

Celebrate epic moments in American music from the Newport Jazz and Folk Festivals—from Duke Ellington’s 1956 comeback to Bob Dylan’s 1965 electric revolution. Mark the 55th anniversary of the Jazz Festival with performances by Ray Charles, Mahalia Jackson, Louis Armstrong, and a visit from trumpet legend Clark Terry, who played with Ellington in ’56. Festival founder George Wein also joins us to share his memories, such as the founding of the Folk Festival in 1959 that featured blues, gospel, country, Cajun and more; and folk singer Joan Baez recalls her Newport experiences. Plus Newport performances from Doc Watson, John Lee Hooker and others.

HOUR ONE

  • Open Bed: Jeep Blues Duke Ellington
    Ellington At Newport 1955 Complete , Columbia
  • Newport Up Duke Ellington
    Ellington At Newport 1955 Complete , Columbia
  • Tin Roof Blues Louis Armstrong
    Happy Birthday Newport! 50 Swinging Years , Columbia
  • Back Water Blues Dinah Washington
    Happy Birthday Newport! 50 Swinging Years , Columbia
  • SEGMENT: George Wein

    Listen
  • Blue Monk Thelonious Monk
    Miles Davis & Thelonious Monk Live at Newport 1958 & 1963 , Columbia
  • Instrumental: Theme Miles Davis
    Miles Davis Live at Newport 1958 , Columbia
  • The Right Time Ray Charles
    Ray Charles Live , Atlantic
  • I'm On My Way Mahalia Jackson
    Live at Newport 1958 , Columbia
  • Instrumental: Take the A Train Duke Ellington
    Ellington At Newport 1955 Complete , Columbia
  • SEGMENT: George Wein on Duke Ellington
  • SEGMENT: Clark Terry

    Listen
  • Diminuendo in Blue and Crescendo in Blue Duke Ellington
    Ellington At Newport 1955 Complete , Columbia

HOUR two

  • Open Bed: Celebration for a Grey Day Richard and Mimi Farina
    Folk Music At Newport Part 1 , Vanguard
  • We Shall Overcome Freedom Singers
    The Newport Folk Festival, 1963: The Evening Concerts, Vanguard
  • Samson and Delilah Rev. Gary Davis
    Live at Newport , Vanguard
  • Oh Mary Don't You Weep Swan Silvertone Singers
    Gospel at Newport , Vanguard
  • Baby, Please Don't Go Muddy Waters
    At Newport 1960 , MCA/Chess
  • Hobo Blues John Lee Hooker
    Live at Newport , Vanguard
  • Big River Johnny Cash
    Nashville at Newport , Vanguard
  • Instrumental: Danse de Blackberry Briar Cyprien Landreneau Cajun Band
    Folk Music at Newport, Part 1 , Vanguard
  • 'Tit Galop Pour Mamou Balfa Brothers
    The Balfa Brothers Play Traditional Cajun Music , Swallow
  • Salty Dog Blues Flatt and Scruggs
    Earl Scruggs Classic Bluegrass Live 1959-1966 , Vanguard
  • Make Me a Pallet Mississippi John Hurt
    Newport Folk Festival: Best of the Blues 1959-68 , Vanguard
  • Cannonball Blues (Solid Gone) Mother Maybelle Carter
    Nashville at Newport , Vanguard
  • Instrumental: Dirty Guitar Blues Ike Everly with Don Everly
    Nashville at Newport , Vanguard
  • SEGMENT: Joan Baez

    Listen
  • It Ain't Me Babe Joan Baez and Bob Dylan
    Joan Baez at Newport , Vanguard
  • SEGMENT: George Wein, Joan Baez, and Dick Waterman on Bob Dylan at 1965 Newport Folk Festival
  • Maggie's Farm Bob Dylan with Butterfield Blues Band
    personal collection,
  • End Bed: It's All Over Now Baby Blue Bob Dylan
    personal collection,

THE LATEST STREAMS