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 -
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| Sonny Rollins takes the Main Stage on 8:45pm Friday night |
Terence Blanchard Quintet
Sonny Rollins
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| Wynton Marsalis takes the stage Saturday at 5pm |
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
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| New Orleans Presentation Band takes the stage Monday at 5pm |
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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