Which festival was founded by jazz promoter George Wein in 1954?

George Wein founded the Newport Jazz Festival in 1954.

The festival was established in Newport, Rhode Island, and became one of the most influential recurring jazz events in the United States. Wein organized it with Elaine Lorillard and John Hammond, helping create a prominent setting where major jazz artists could perform for both dedicated listeners and a broader summer audience.

The first festival featured performers including Ella Fitzgerald, Oscar Peterson, and Dizzy Gillespie. Its success helped establish the modern outdoor jazz festival model and inspired related events in other cities.

Newport Jazz should not be confused with the Newport Folk Festival, which began later, in 1959. The two festivals share a location and an organizer in their histories, but they are separate events with different musical identities and founding years.