Legends join a varied lineup at Newport

Saxophonist Sonny Rollins.

Charlie Haden/Ethan Iverson/Bill Frisell (Tomorrow at 2:10 p.m. on the Pavilion Stage). Lately, pianist Iverson, of the irreverent yet sharply intellectual jazz-rock trio the Bad Plus, and bassist Haden, a master of supreme lyricism whose five-decade career has arched back from the avant-garde into deep exploration of Americana's component genres, have carried on a fascinating conversation both in print and onstage. At Newport, Frisell, the progressive guitarist with his own roots fascination, joins them in a festival-only trio.

Dave Holland/Gonzalo Rubalcaba/Chris Potter/Eric Harland (Tomorrow at 3:50 p.m. on the Pavilion Stage). An elite quartet reassembles after stealing the show at last year's Monterey Jazz Festival. Bassist Holland is a senior post-bop figure; Cuban pianist Rubalcaba runs both rapid or refined; saxman Potter and drummer Harland are just entering their prime. More than the range of influences these four can tap, which is immense, it's the in-the-moment interplay and improvisation that comes close to state-of-the-art.

Sonny Rollins (Sunday at 5:45 p.m. on the JVC Jazz Stage). A happily consistent Newport tradition is the presence of some of jazz's living, all-time greats; none more so this year than Rollins, the original "saxophone colossus" and the festival's official headliner. At 77, Rollins is well into the jubilee phase of his career (he recently marked the 50th anniversary of his first Carnegie Hall gig) yet performs with undiminished aplomb, his music a gateway to jazz's essence.

Lionel Loueke Trio (Sunday at 12:40 p.m. on the Pavilion Stage). From childhood in Benin, West Africa, to membership in Herbie Hancock's working band, guitarist Loueke has enjoyed an improbable jazz odyssey. And with an acclaimed album, "Karibu," 2008 has shaped into his breakout year. A distinctive new take on jazz guitar, clearly informed yet never overwhelmed by African rhythmic sophistication.

Anthony Hamilton (Sunday at 2:30 p.m. on the JVC Jazz Stage). Newport tends to limit its non-jazz offerings to a small number of highly creative artists with something important to say. New-school Southern soul singer Hamilton fits the bill: He's arguably the spearhead of the current revival of honest, adult, roots-infused male R&B, with undisguised affinities for country and the blues that should find a perfect setting here.

SIDDHARTHA MITTER