Elaine Lorillard

Born in 1914, Elaine Lorillard grew up surrounded by the arts. After working in New York, she joined the Red Cross during World War II. During her service in Italy, she organized jazz shows to entertain the soldiers. Lorillard moved to Newport with her new husband, Louis. In 1953, they supported and organized a jazz festival in Newport. They contacted George Wein to produce the festival. The first Newport Jazz Festival in 1954 was a great success, which drew some of the most important figures of jazz at the time. This year, the Newport Jazz Festival celebrates its fiftieth anniversary. Although no longer involved with the festival, Lorillard remains involved with the Newport Jazz Festival Museum.