WPRO Newsroom and the Associated Press
NEWPORT, R.I. (AP) – The University of Rhode Island's Jazz Big Band has been invited to play at the Newport Jazz Festival.
The band is scheduled to play a 45-minute set on Aug. 4 at Fort Adams State Park in Newport. URI Music Department Chair Joseph Parillo says he's thrilled by the invitation.
Some of the band's members are students. Many are alumni who work as music teachers and perform in local bands.
Band co-director Jared Sims says it's fantastic the group will be part of the tradition of the festival, where jazz greats like Duke Ellington have played.
The URI jazz band has also performed at Lincoln Center.
This year's Jazz Fest features Chick Correa and the Vigil, the Wayne Shorter Quartet and Natalie Cole.
