George Wein, founder of Newport Jazz Festival, dies at 95

BOSTON — George Wein, the founder of the Newport Jazz Festival and Newport Folk Festival died Monday at the age of 95.

“It is with immense sadness that we let you know if the passing of our founder and north star, George Wein,” a tweet from the Newport Jazz Festival read. “We have all lost a giant champion of jazz, art philanthropy and equality. There will never be another like him. Rest easy, George.”

In a statement, festival officials said that just before his 90th birthday he began to plan for the sustainability of the Newport Festivals Foundation, which is the non-profit that runs both the Jazz Festival and Folk Festival.

“He not only invented the idea of a modern-day music festival and made the careers of numerous music icons, but his investment in music appreciation is to me what makes him the biggest icon of them all,” said producer Jay Sweet. “George has an undeniable gift for making things happen.  As a result, he has perhaps done more to preserve jazz than any other individual. He was my mentor and, more importantly, my friend and I will miss him dearly.”

Wein was born in Newton. He started taking piano lessons at the age of eight.

After college Wein opened his own jazz club, Storyville, in Boston. He also created a record label of the same name.

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