Sunday, August 26, 2012

FREE 2012 Detroit Jazz Festival's Star-Studded Lineup starts 8/31 Hart Plaza in Downtown Detroit

World’s top jazz artists among the headliners for 2012 Detroit Jazz Festival

The Detroit Jazz Festival, now in its 33rd year, takes place over Labor Day weekend in Hart Plaza, downtown Detroit.  The Detroit Jazz Festival is the largest FREE jazz festival in the world.

The 33rd annual Detroit Jazz Festival will feature a one-of-a-kind lineup of today’s greatest jazz performers. The artists at this year’s festival have been nominated for more than 200 and won more than 100 Grammy Awards, composed film scores and traveled the world to perform.

“This year, we wanted to focus on going back to traditional jazz roots. Bringing together these world-class jazz artists gives festival-goers the opportunity to experience jazz at its finest – a collaboration between artists with history, experience and a style all their own,” said Chris Collins, artistic director of the Detroit Jazz Festival. “Many of the artists joining us at the festival have worked together before and we’re reuniting them, as well as introducing unique first-time collaborations, to celebrate the culture of jazz and really show how jazz has made an impact in our region and across the nation.”

The 2012 headliners include:
- Sonny Rollins
- Wynton Marsalis
- Chick Corea and Gary Burton, with strings
- Wayne Shorter
- Pat Metheny
- And, 2012 Artist in Residence, Terence Blanchard

“My focus has always been on continually improving the festival,” said Gretchen Valade, chair of the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation board of directors. “Chris Collins has done a fantastic job securing this all-star lineup for the 2012 festival. All of these incredible performers coming together at the Detroit Jazz Festival means a lot, not only to our city, but to all jazz enthusiasts. It is a chance to see so many favorites in one arena. I could not be more thrilled with how this year’s festival continues to develop and, as always, it’s free to the public.”

See the Entire 2012 Detroit Jazz Festival Line Up below -

Sonny Rollins takes the Main Stage on 8:45pm Friday night
Friday August 31st:

Terence Blanchard Quintet

Sonny Rollins

Wynton Marsalis takes the stage Saturday at 5pm
Saturday September 1st:

Chick Corea and Gary Burton Hot House Tour with Harlem String Quartet

Wynton Marsalis Quintet

Mack Avenue Superband: musical director Rodney Whitaker: ft. Gary Burton, Kevin Eubanks, Carl Allen, Alfredo Rodriguez,
Aaron Diehl, Tia Fuller, Evan Perri, Sean Jones & Cecile McLorin Salvant

Louis Hayes Jazz Communicators

Chuck Israels Jazz Orchestra

Steve Wilson with Strings ft. Music from Bird with Strings
  
Jerry Bergonzi Quintet


A. Spencer Barefield Trio
  
Bernard Purdie, Reuben Wilson and Grant Green Jr. (formerly known as the Godfathers of Groove) wsg Donald Harrison

Charles McPherson Quintet ft. Tom Harrell

Papo Vazquez Mighty Pirate Troubadors

Ellery Eskelin Trio

Rick Margitza Quartet

Gregoire Maret

Jon–Erik Kellso and the Ear Regulars Plus ft. James Dapogny

The Trio: Larry Goldings, Peter Bernstein and Bill Stewart

Ron Kischuk and the Masters of Music Trombones wsg Curtis Fuller

University of Michigan Latin Jazz Ensemble (Jonathan Ovalle, conductor) / Vincent Chandler’s University of Michigan Jazz Septet

DSO Civic Jazz Orchestra with Terence Blanchard

The Kris Johnson Group

  
Sunday September 2nd:
Pat Metheny Unity Band with Chris Potter, Antonio Sanchez and Ben Williams

Wayne Shorter Quartet ft. Danilo Perez, John Patitucci and Brian Blade

Cecile McLorin Salvant ft. the Aaron Diehl Trio

Arturo O’Farrill Septet wsg Donald Harrison

Poncho Sanchez and His Latin Jazz Band: "Cubano Be, Cubano Bop" wsg Terence Blanchard
  
Joe Lovano and Dave Douglas Quintet: “Sound Prints” ft. Lawrence Fields, Linda Oh, Joey Baron

Brian Lynch Unsung Heroes

A Tribute to the Music of Wayne Shorter, ft. the Detroit Jazz Festival Orchestra sponsored by MotorCity Casino-Hotel, Performing Newly Commissioned Arrangements by Renee Rosnes, Ellen Rowe, Russ Miller, Scott Gwinnell & Walter White, ft. Jerry Bergonzi, Steve Wilson, Lew Tabackin, Rick Margitza, Sean Jones & Donny McCaslin

David Binney Quartet

Kevin Eubanks Trio

Gerald Cleaver and Uncle June

Quincy Jones Presents: The Alfredo Rodriguez Trio

Fred Hersch Trio

Marcus Belgrave's Homecoming Band ft. Louis Hayes, Curtis Fuller, Marion Hayden, Harvey Thompson, Ian Finkelstein and Vincent Bowens

Walter White Small, Medium @ Large

Geoffrey Keezer and Donny McCaslin

Blow Out the Candles! Charlie Gabriel's Birthday Celebration ft. the Preservation Hall Jazz Band

Michigan State University Jazz Orchestra I, II, III (Triple Big Band)

MSBOA Showcases: Detroit School of Arts, Northview High School, Monroe High School and Warren Mott High School

Ursula Walker and Buddy Budson Quintet

George “Sax” Benson and Rick Margitza

Gene Parker and Rob Pipho

Bowling Green State University Vocal Jazz

  
New Orleans Presentation Band takes the stage Monday at 5pm
Monday September 3rd:
A Night in Treme (the Musical Majesty of New Orleans) ft. the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, James "Twelve" Andrews,
Donald Harrison, Jr., and Christian Scott

Lew Tabackin Quartet ft. Randy Brecker

Kenny Garrett Quartet

Wayne State University Big Band with Joe Lovano and Judy Silvano

Tia Fuller's Angelic Warrior Album Release Party

Donald Harrison Quintet

Donny McCaslin Group ft. Jason Lindner, Tim LeFebvre and Mark Guilana

The Sacred Music of Duke Ellington: Conducted by David Berger, ft. the Detroit Jazz Festival Orchestra sponsored by MotorCity Casino-Hotel, Jared Grimes, George Benson, Ursula Walker, Alice Tillman, Thornetta Davis, Ed Love and 100 Voice Choir, Conducted by Norah Duncan

Jerry Gonzalez y El Comando de la Clave

JC Heard All-Star Youth Ensemble with Surprise Guests

The Noah Jackson Six

A Tribute to Art Blakey: Directed by 2012 Artist-in-Residence Terence Blanchard, ft. Curtis Fuller, Jean Toussant,
Peter Washington, Lewis Nash & Geoffrey Keezer

Detroit Jazz Guitar Ensemble

Scott Gwinnell Dectet

MSBOA Showcase: Meridian High School and Northville High School

Schunk, Starr, Dryden Band

See the full 2012 Detroit Jazz Festival lineup including performance times.

Detroit Jazz Festival
Friday, August 31 - Monday, September 3, 2012
Hart Plaza on the Detroit River in Downtown Detroit

Enjoy!



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