George Wein started Jazz Fest back in 1954 with the encouragement and financial backing of Louis and Elaine Lorillard. It was the first outdoor jazz festival in the United States and is now regarded as arguably the best-known jazz festival in the world.

NEWPORT — Renowned impresario George Wein took to the Quad Stage at Fort Adams for one final performance Thursday evening. Though best known as the producer and founder of the Newport Jazz and Folk Festivals, Wein has played piano since his youth. Billed as “One More Once”, the concert was presented by Newport Festivals Foundation as a celebration of both Wein’s life and career, and his love for jazz music and Newport.

Though the concert was free, attendees were asked to RSVP for the limited seats available. Once inside the venue, concert-goers had access to various local food vendors, such as Fort Adams Concessions and Del’s Lemonade.

Local musicians were emphasized as well, with the Newport Jazz Assembly Band opening for Wein, who took the stage fifteen minutes in. When Newport Jazz Festival Artistic Director Christian McBride joined, Wein declared him as “the greatest bass player in the world.” Together the ensemble performed standards by the likes of Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk.

The performance also coincided with a major milestone for Newport Jazz Fest. “We’ve been here 65 years,” Wein remarked. “I’m very proud of what we’ve done here.”

Wein started Jazz Fest back in 1954 with the encouragement and financial backing of Louis and Elaine Lorillard. It was the first outdoor jazz festival in the United States and is now regarded as arguably the best-known jazz festival in the world. This years line-up boasts the likes of Herbie Hancock, Common and Sun Ra Arkestra to name a few. Yet while the major names are an obvious draw to the event, Wein remains just as focused on the younger musicians who will, soon enough, be running the show.

“There are different generations that are responsible for what is happening here…I want to dedicate the program to both the previous generation and the one that’s here now and going to carry on these festivals for many, many more years.”

Wein’s vision for the future generations is now being realized through NFF’s musical education initiatives, such as funding after school music programs and providing opportunities for students to perform with professional musicians at the Newport Folk and Jazz Fests. This year NFF partnered with Rick’s Musical Instruments in Cumberland to place instruments in Rhode Island public schools.

Prior to the concert, NFF held a reception to fundraise for the Newport Festival Museum, which Executive Producer Jay Sweet facilitated.

The closing event for Bridgefest, “One More Once” was possibly George Wein’s final performance, although it has been hinted that this may not be the case—apparently, Wein, now 94, has made this claim before. While Bridgefest seeks to “bridge the the gap” between the Folk and Jazz festivals, its title is apt for another bridge it is gapping, that of older and younger generations of music lovers.