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Detroit Jazz Festival

Upcoming Events

FREE LIVE STREAM

Call For New Works

2025 Open Artist Submission

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On our JazzChats, he's usually the one asking ques

On our JazzChats, he's usually the one asking questions. In this Zoom session with the Michigan Jazz Festival, he'll be answering them. You can drop in and watch DJF president and artistic director Chris Collins talk about his late friend and festival patron, Gretchen C. Valade, when he's interviewed a week from today, March 29, at 3:30 p.m. To get an invite to the Zoom room, see the link in our bio. #jazz #detroit #michiganjazzfestival @michiganjazzfestival

MAKE PLANS FOR MONDAY! We have another FREE Jazz F

MAKE PLANS FOR MONDAY! We have another FREE Jazz From the Cellar taping at the Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center at Wayne State University set for this coming Monday, March 24. It’s the same as our previous gigs: Doors open at 5 p.m., first set at 5:30, second at 6:40. This week: Dr. Professor Leonard King’s Proportioned Orchestra goes on first, followed b another Next Generation of Detroit Jazz act, supported by Carolyn Patrick-Wanzo and Friends: Evening Star. Hope to see you at the corner of Cass & Hancock in Midtown Detroit! #jazz #detroit #nextgenjazzdetroit

TONIGHT: Jazz From the Cellar features a set captu

TONIGHT: Jazz From the Cellar features a set captured at the Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center at Wayne State University earlier this month. The Jauron Perry Quintet were winners of last summer’s Collegiate Combo Competition presented by Central Michigan University, and are really coming into their own with a new album, recorded live at last year’s festival. You can hear them at 9 p.m. ET on Facebook Live, YouTube or our website, detroitjazzfest.org. #jazz #detroit #nextgenjazzdetroit @waynestatecfpca @waynestatemusic @jpsoultrpt @cmuniversity

ARTISTS! The deadline is approaching for the Detro

ARTISTS! The deadline is approaching for the Detroit Jazz Festival Call for New Works. Details:

📣 As part of this year’s programming, the Detroit Jazz Festival invites artists to bring new perspectives to blending Jazz and other musical styles. Whether classical, electronic, hip-hop, folk, or something entirely new, we seek inspired visions that honor Jazz’s tradition, build on its language, and explore distinctive new sounds.

➡️ This award is for projects that remain rooted in Jazz but thoughtfully incorporate outside influences—expanding its language without diluting its essence. The winner will receive $5,000 to create new work(s), engage/prepare the ensemble, and perform one 60-minute set at the 2025 Detroit Jazz Festival.
As this is a commission for new work(s), full ensemble audio recordings are not required. However, if the artist has ensemble recordings 🎧 available, there will be an option to upload them.

🎶 For the application, we are seeking samples of work from each individual artist involved, showcasing their unique contributions and artistic voice. Additionally, we ask for a description from the Project Leader outlining how they will draw from their own experience and the group’s collective talents to create something innovative, meaningful, and true to the spirit of this commission.

Our goal is to gain insight into each individual’s artistry and understand how these elements will come together to shape an exciting new work. 🔥

Deadline: April 11. Ready to apply? Find the link in our bio.

TOMORROW: Kyle Eastwood and Eastwood Symphonic 🎶 was one of the most popular sets at last year's festival, and on Wednesday March 19 at 7 pm ET, you can see the bassist, composer and arranger in conversation with Chris Collins, the festival's president and artistic director, for JazzChat LIVE.

📍Chris and Kyle will talk about his DJF performance, reflections, highlights, and behind-the-scenes moments. And we'll dive into what he’s been up to since the festival and what’s ahead in 2025. ➡️ This is a FREE virtual event, but requires registration; do so at the link in our bio.
#jazz #detroit #jazzchatlive @kyleeastwood

Trust Jeff Dunn to capture some great images from

Trust Jeff Dunn to capture some great images from last week's taping of two Jazz After Hours sets at the Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center at Wayne State University. Those who attended this FREE show saw a house band of Chris Collins, president and artistic director of the festival; Aya Sekine, Jeff Pedraz and Louis Jones III, with special guests Vincent Chandler, Michael Abbo, James Hughes and Caleb Robinson. Another taping is set a week from today -- March 24. Come join!
#jazz #detroit @@jeffdunn_com @ayaschool @wavylou_ @vincentachandler @michaelabbo @jameshughesmusic @calebxkrobinson @waynestatecfpca @waynestate

TONIGHT: Our Friday Jazz After Hours show features

TONIGHT: Our Friday Jazz After Hours show features the first set recorded earlier this week at the Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center at Wayne State University. This one featured Michael Abbo and Vincent Chandler in front of a multi-generational house band of Aya Sekine, Jeff Pedraz and Louis Jones III. Everything starts at 9 pm ET on Facebook Live, YouTube and/or our website, detroitjazzfest.org.
#jazz #detroit #jazzafterhours @@ayaschool @michaelabbo @vincentachandler @wavylou_

The Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation is thrilled t

The Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation is thrilled to present pianist, composer and artist Jason Moran as the Artist-in-Residence for the 2025 Detroit Jazz Festival.

As the 2025 Artist-in-Residence, Moran will support Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation educational initiatives for students and community engagement activities across the region throughout the year. In addition, Moran will lead multiple diverse performances during the festival, on Labor Day weekend. He will also perform at the Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center at Wayne State University on April 15 during the Detroit Jazz Festival Preview Event, which will be livestreamed on detroitjazzfest.org.

Moran has released 18 solo recordings with Blue Note Records and Yes Records. In 2022, he was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and was recently awarded the 2023 German Jazz Prize for Pianist of the Year. His latest recording, "From the Dancehall to the Battlefield," is devoted to the music of World War I jazz pioneer and organizer James Reese Europe. Moran presented this spectacular multimedia jazz performance during the 2023 Detroit Jazz Festival on the Carhartt Amphitheater Stage.

Moran has collaborated with several contemporary artists, including Joan Jonas, Kara Walker, Stan Douglas, Theaster Gates and Remy Jungman. He is also currently The Kennedy Center Artistic Director for Jazz.
@thejasonmoran @waynestate @waynestatecfpca @waynestatemusic @carhartt
#jazz #detroit

Today we look at the final school in the Detroit J

Today we look at the final school in the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation's Jazz Infusion Program, supported by the generosity of the Fred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation. This unique program puts professional jazz musicians in Detroit Public Schools Community District schools for teaching, mentorship and the joy of performance.

Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School is one of the largest high schools in the program, with a large campus and a wide variety of options for students. Jazz Infusion began with the legendary educator Victoria Miller and her jazz band in 2011, and continues at King with Band Director Lamar Phillips. Guitarist, composer and educator Tom Bartelmay visits King to help guitarists and other instrumentalists with large- and small-group instruction.

"We look forward to working with the New Jazz Infusion Program so that we have assistance with fresh perspectives from industry professionals. Students strive for excellence daily, but knowing how their theoretical knowledge is applied beyond the classroom from those intimately involved with performing 'on demand' regularly for a living gives them real-world exposure in a safe environment," says Phillips.
@detroitk12 @lamarphillips243 @tombartelmay_guitar @officialmlkmarchingband
#jazz #detroit #jazzeducation #erbfamilyfoundation

🎼 Join us on March 19 at 7pm ET for an exclusiv

🎼 Join us on March 19 at 7pm ET for an exclusive JazzChat LIVE conversation with world-renowned bassist, composer and bandleader Kyle Eastwood, moderated by Chris Collins, president & artistic director of the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation.
✨ We’ll revisit Kyle’s unforgettable performance at the 2024 Detroit Jazz Festival — his reflections, highlights, and behind-the-scenes moments. And we'll dive into what he’s been up to since the festival and what’s ahead for him in 2025.

👉 Don’t miss this engaging, behind-the-scenes conversation with one of jazz’s most dynamic musicians. As always, this virtual event is free, but you must register. Find the 🔗 in our bio.
@kyleeastwood #jazz #detroit #jazzchatlive

TONIGHT! Don’t miss another FREE night of great

TONIGHT! Don’t miss another FREE night of great music at the Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center at Wayne State University. 🎶 We’ve got two sets, starting at 5:30 p.m., with a multi-generational house band and special guests in both. Doors open at 5 p.m. and we hope you’ll be sitting the audience, maybe with a friend – it’s the best cheap date in town. Corner of Cass and Hancock; enter on Hancock. @waynestate @waynestatecfpca @ayaschool @wavylou_ @michaelabbo @vincentachandler @jameshughesmusic @drumgeanie #jazz #detroit #jazzafterhours

TONIGHT: Join us for the first of two Jazz From th

TONIGHT: Join us for the first of two Jazz From the Cellar sets recorded earlier at the Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center at Wayne State University. We'll revisit the Eric Nachtrab Quartet -- Eric on bass; Tim Haldeman, tenor sax; James Hughes, tenor and soprano sax; and Sean Perlmutter, drums. It all starts at 9 p.m. ET on Facebook Live, on YouTube or at our website, detroitjazzfest.org.
@waynestate @waynestatecfpca @jameshughesmusic @gusncall24 @seanperlmutter #jazz #detroit #jazzfromthecellar

32 Bar Blues

Michelob Ultra Fabian Brothers

Display Group

Downtown Detroit Partnership

Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center Wayne State University

JPMorganChase

Utopia Gardens

Brian Blade at drums

Roberta Gambarini

Christian McBride & Inside Straight

Carmen Lundy

Alice Coltrane

Wendell Harrison

Ghost-Note

James Blood Ulmer Music Revelation Ensemble

Joshua Redman

Chief Adjuah (formerly Christian Scott)

Walter White Big Band

Nate Smith

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For over 40 years, the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation has celebrated Detroit’s rich history of jazz music by providing year-round concerts and educational programming, and of course, organizing the world’s largest free Jazz festival, featuring world-class talent, over Labor Day weekend.

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