George Wein, Newport Jazz Festival co-founder, dies at 95

By HILLEL ITALIE
AP National Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — George Wein, one of the great impresarios of 20th century music who helped found the Newport jazz and folk festivals and set the template for gatherings everywhere from Woodstock to the south of France, has died at 95. A family spokesperson says Wein died “peacefully in his sleep” Monday in his New York City apartment. A former jazz club owner and aspiring pianist, Wein launched the Newport Jazz Festival in 1954 with a lineup for the heavens: Billie Holiday and Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald and Lester Young. Wein led the festival for more than 50 years.