Grammy winner Chaka Khan leads entertainment lineup 55th jazz festival in Rhode Island

Chaka Khan leads lineup at RI jazz festival

NEWPORT, R.I. — Grammy-winning singer Chaka Khan leads the list of entertainers at the Newport Jazz Festival, which celebrates its 55th anniversary this weekend.

Chaka Khan will be joined by the George Duke Trio at the International Tennis Hall of Fame when the event kicks off Friday.

The future of the festival was uncertain this year because of financial problems with the event’s new producers. So, founder George Wein (WEEN’) stepped in to save the jazz festival, as well as last weekend’s folk festival.

Among the other acts playing this weekend are Mos Def, the Branford Marsalis Quartet, Dave Brubeck Quartet and Tony Bennett.

On the Net:

www.jazzfestival55.com/