Socialite; Founder of the "Newport Jazz Festival". Daughter of Walter Edward Guthrie, owner of a printing company, and Lida Pray Guthrie, a professional pianist. Wife of Louis Lorillard (d. 1986); a descendant of Pierre Lorillard, who was founder of the Lorillard Tobacco Company. Growing up with a passion for music, the energetic Elaine, who had attended the New England Conservatory of Music, summered with her husband at their hometown in Newport, Rhode Island. She was inspired by a casual remark made by her husband while attending a classical music event in 1953 to start, and sponsor, a likewise event for jazz music; hosting, a year later in 1954, the first "Newport Jazz Festival" at the Newport Casino. A two-day concert series featuring several renowned jazz artists; including Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald, about 7,000 fans packed the grounds on the two nights of the event. As chairwoman of the Newport Jazz Festival foundation; a non-profit organization started shortly afterwards which would provide support for the art of jazz and players alike; she worked with her husband to raise money for the festival. Never waning her love of jazz music, she sponsored fifteen different jazz museums, of which nine she served on the board of director's; and she could continue to be seen at jazz clubs and at the festival, even up into her nineties. Passing away at her beloved summer home, 'Fairbourne', in Newport, she was buried alongside her family in Bar Harbor, Maine; leaving behind a large collection of jazz memorabilia and plaques given to her commemorating her contribution to the music world. In 1997 she had been honored at the Jubile, Franco-Americain, in Woonsocket, Rhode Island.
Bio by: Bobby Kelley
Bio by: Bobby Kelley
Socialite; Founder of the "Newport Jazz Festival". Daughter of Walter Edward Guthrie, owner of a printing company, and Lida Pray Guthrie, a professional pianist. Wife of Louis Lorillard (d. 1986); a descendant of Pierre Lorillard, who was founder of the Lorillard Tobacco Company. Growing up with a passion for music, the energetic Elaine, who had attended the New England Conservatory of Music, summered with her husband at their hometown in Newport, Rhode Island. She was inspired by a casual remark made by her husband while attending a classical music event in 1953 to start, and sponsor, a likewise event for jazz music; hosting, a year later in 1954, the first "Newport Jazz Festival" at the Newport Casino. A two-day concert series featuring several renowned jazz artists; including Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald, about 7,000 fans packed the grounds on the two nights of the event. As chairwoman of the Newport Jazz Festival foundation; a non-profit organization started shortly afterwards which would provide support for the art of jazz and players alike; she worked with her husband to raise money for the festival. Never waning her love of jazz music, she sponsored fifteen different jazz museums, of which nine she served on the board of director's; and she could continue to be seen at jazz clubs and at the festival, even up into her nineties. Passing away at her beloved summer home, 'Fairbourne', in Newport, she was buried alongside her family in Bar Harbor, Maine; leaving behind a large collection of jazz memorabilia and plaques given to her commemorating her contribution to the music world. In 1997 she had been honored at the Jubile, Franco-Americain, in Woonsocket, Rhode Island.
Bio by: Bobby Kelley
Bio by: Bobby Kelley
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"Founder Newport Jazz Festival"
