Boys and Girls Club gets backstage pass at Newport Jazz Festival

By: Amanda Pitts

alpitts@abc6.com

@AmandaPittsTV

NEWPORT, R.I. — The 2018 Newport Jazz Festival kicked off Friday, and children from the Boys and Girls Club of Newport County got a special backstage pass.

"Jazz is America’s greatest contribution to the world." – Christian McBride, Jazz Bassist and Record Producer

The new generation of jazz lovers got to watch hundreds of musicians take four stages, and even went backstage to meet some performers.  

"Jazz music is awesome. It’s not even singing half the time, it’s just instruments, and you get to hear new instruments. Now I’m starting to want to be a musician than a teacher." – Emma Holden

The Boys and Girls Club has been bringing a group of kids to the festival every year since 2012.

"Kids at a young age who have a musical experience, that can compel them to either play an instrument, get into the music business. But you gotta get them young." – Deborah Ross, Director of Education for Newport Festivals Foundation Inc. 

Counselors say bringing these kids here year after year teaches them not only the importance of music, but how to interact with people from different backgrounds.

"We have kids that are from the housing authority that are on full scholarships, their parents need some help.. we have kids that are from affluent neighborhoods in Jamestown." – Jake Crowll, Boys and Girls Club Director

The kids not only had a day of fun, but learned about jazz from some of the best musicians in the world. 

"This American art form known as jazz must be taught to our young people." – Christian McBride, Jazz Bassist and Record Producer

The Newport Jazz Festival continues August 4th and 5th at Fort Adams State Park. Gates open at 10 a.m. and music begins at 11 a.m.

(c) WLNE-TV 2018