Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation to Present J.C. Heard JazzWeek@Wayne, a One-Week Jazz Education Workshop Featuring: Performance, Jam Session on Wednesday, July 29 at Cliff Bell’s Jazz Club, and Student Showcase, Friday, July 31 at Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center
Detroit–In collaboration with the Wayne State University Department of Music and with generous support from the Eric Heard family, the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation will present the J.C. Heard JazzWeek@Wayne workshop July 27-31. Approximately 40 local high school students have been chosen for this tuition-free, week-long workshop that provides students with an intensive and rewarding jazz education experience.
Jazz Week combines the artistic and educational forces of three jazz entities: the Wayne State University Department of Music, the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation and the J.C. Heard Legacy. Students will work in master class settings, jam sessions and small and large ensemble rehearsals studying jazz improvisation, theory and ensemble playing. These sessions are instructed by Wayne State University’s jazz faculty, guest artists from the Detroit community and national artists and educators.
The 2026 Detroit Jazz Festival All-Star Youth Ensemble will be selected from students participating in the workshop to play at the 2026 Detroit Jazz Festival. Following tradition, all JazzWeek students will open the 2026 Detroit Jazz Festival as players in Dr. Gretchen Valade’s Brass Band led by Shannon Powell.
Dates/Location:
- Monday, July 27 – Thursday, July 30
- Jazz Education Sessions with Wayne State University Faculty and Master Classes with guest artist Shannon Powell. 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. in WSU Department of Music, Old Main, Rm #2414
- Wednesday, July 29
- C. Heard Performance and Jam Session featuring Wayne State University Jazz Faculty: Detroit Jazz Profs, 7:30 – 8:45 p.m. at Cliff Bell’s Jazz Club
- Open Jam Session kicks off at 9:30 p.m.
- Friday, July 31
- C. Heard JazzWeek@Wayne Student Showcase: 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. at Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center.
Media Contacts: Teia Wallington, (313) 468-2146, teia@lovepublicity.com
