Soccer Drip at Newport Jazz Fest

By the time you read this, the rain has washed away the sand at Fort Adams into the sea. It has left behind the memory of what was an amazing 70th edition of the Newport Jazz Festival. Here I am with a clear gaze and my phone camera filled with photos of Jazz lovers dripped in their favorite football jerseys or their statement pieces.

Newport Jazz is like a metaphor for a big band, structured in tranquility yet every member excels in their aesthetic and style. It was no surprise to find football fans in and around the festival area with jerseys repping their hometown, favorite team, player — and for some, an outfit sends a clear statement down to the socks.

In a field of people dressed for the occasion, a Club Deportivo Palestino jersey drew me in because of its amazing design and the potential statement it sends out. Next, a beautiful red and white jersey with the CNC logo (Clube Náutico Capibaribe) caught my attention, worn by a Brazilian fan from Pernambuco, Recife — the same region as pianist Amaro Freitas. Finally, a special mention for a rare Ghana 1984 jersey with Abedi Pele on the back which I spotted in the crowd but sadly missed out on taking a picture of, and a Brasil 1994 jersey with Romario was simply eye-catching.

Walking around the festival I caught myself nodding to strangers in football jerseys just because they added a dimension to the experience of the weekend. In the blink of an eye, these jerseys offered me a portal into the person, as it signaled a love for music and soccer. It is an invitation for a conversation about teams, fandom, and potentially football banter.

In time, I hope to meet many fans at festivals, rocking their jerseys, making fashion statements, and pollinating the vibrant decor and aesthetic that festivals create. I'll keep nodding my head to strangers, all part of the larger resurgence of soccer drip.