Amidst dreary conditions, The JVC Jazz Festival, once again defied the elements as festival goers savored a wide array of talent.

Opening the show on Friday evening, Diana Krall and the Roy Hargrove Quintet performed at the Newport casino at the International Tennis Hall of Fame. At the Boston Nightclub, a polished Krall captivated concert goers with her presentations of time-tested standards and signature tunes. While the Hargrove Quintet mesmerized listeners with soft and melancholy solos.

Saturdays venue at the Fort Adams State Park found the 6,000 fans treated to the likes of Jerry Gonzalez and the Fort Apache Band, the legendary Dave Brubeck, the Roy Hargrove Quintet, Ms. Krall, and an All-Star Septet led by Comedian/Drummer Bill Cosby. Cosby's group, Cos of Good Music, convenes annually to play at only a few selected venues. Returning to Newport after a 31 year hiatus, Cosby was joined by stand-outs Jon Faddis, John Stubblefield, Al Foster, Bootsie Barnes and others. When asked backstage if he would ask to sit in, the comedic Cos quickly retorted "This is my band. I don't ask to sit in, but I have been asked to sit out." In true Cosby style, the band performed appropriately enough, "Singing in the Rain."

Sundays Jazzfest featured the Kurt Elling Quartet, Chuck Mangione, the Wayne Shorter Quartet, Natalie Cole, and Ray Charles.

Under darkening skies, vocalist Elling offered up traditional tunes including "Orange Blossoms in Summertime" for the 8,100 who braved the days deteriorating weather. Chuck Mangione highlighted his set with the popular "Feels Good". The Wayne Shorter Quartet gave avid jazzophiles intense solos from pianist Danilo Perez, drummer Brian Blade, bassist John Patitucci, and the always explosive Shorter.

The rain intensified, as did the crowds expectations, as Natalie Cole appeared center stage. Ms. Cole responded with the Ella Fitzgerald classic "A Tisket A Tasket" as well as her sentimental duet "Unforgettable". The adrenaline flowed as she closed out with "Pink Cadillac".

Legend Ray Charles closed out the days festivities with a heartfelt "Georgia". The soggy, yet always appreciative fans left Fort Adams exhilarated and eagerly anticipating next years Jazz Festival.

Other performers at the 3-day festival included Los Hombres Calientes, Ravi Coltrane, Big Bill Morganfield, the Sun Ra Arkestra, Nora York, James Blood Ulmer, Simon Shatiern and Qantara, the Slip, and the David Sanchez Melaza Sextet.

The Newport Jazz Festival is an all around experience. Concert goers reclined in lawn chairs, relaxed on blankets, and sampled red beans and rice, stuffies, jambalaya, falafels, roasted corn and other delicacies as the music filled the air. If you've never been to any of the events in Newport (Jazz, Folk, Blues Festivals), then I highly recommend it. It's a great summer pastime. - F.E.