This week on Under the Radar:

George Wein, jazz promoter, musician and producer, died in September at the age of 95. The music impresario with local roots is best known for founding the annual summer Newport Jazz Festival.

Born and raised in Massachusetts, Wein played piano and jazz as a child. Early on in his producer career, he opened the Storyville jazz club in Boston and in 1954 founded the Newport Jazz Festival, creating a blueprint for all subsequent music festivals around the world.

Wein used the festival as a platform to boost careers and industry respect for musicians, such as Miles Davis and Duke Ellington, as well as a tool for social justice, promoting a diverse lineup of artists and appealing to racially mixed audiences.

GUESTS:

Eric Jackson, jazz radio personality and host of "Eric in the Evening" on GBH Radio.

Jay Sweet, executive producer of the Newport Folk Festival and Newport Jazz Festival.

Sue Auclair, president of Sue Auclair Promotions, a Boston-based PR and marketing firm servicing the arts, entertainment, and media industries.

The Father of Music Festivals: The life and legacy of pioneer George Wein 32:50 Share

Under the Radar Podcast

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The Father of Music Festivals: The life and legacy of pioneer George Wein