Jazz Titan Joe Lovano Named 2026 Artist-in-Residence
Open Artist Submission due June 1
DETROIT – The Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation is proud to announce Grammy-winning saxophonist, composer, and producer Joe Lovano as the 2026 Detroit Jazz Festival Artist-in-Residence.
Known as a Titan in Jazz, Lovano is fearless in finding new modes of artistic expression. With a Grammy® win for his 52nd Street Themes and 14 other nominations, he has won Downbeat Magazine’s Critics and Readers Polls countless times. He has also received numerous awards from Jazz Times and the Jazz Journalists Association.
From 1991 through 2016, Lovano released an unprecedented 25 records as a leader for the historic Blue Note Records. He continues to produce trendsetting music today and explores new horizons within the world of music as a soloist, bandleader, and composer. In addition, composer Mark Anthony Turnage wrote a Concerto for Saxophone and Chamber Orchestra for Joe called “A Man Descending” which has been performed globally, and Maestro Michael Abene orchestrated an album of all-Lovano originals called Symphonica for the WDR Symphonic Orchestra and Big Band, which was released on Blue Note and received a Grammy® nomination.
Joe has performed and recorded with a long list of jazz greats including Woody Herman, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Mel Lewis, Bob Brookmeyer, Paul Motian, Bill Frisell, Tony Bennett, Abbey Lincoln, Charlie Haden, John Scofield, Gunther Schuller, Elvin Jones, McCoy Tyner, Ed Blackwell, Herbie Hancock, Dave Holland, Hank Jones, Dave Liebman, Michael Brecker, Dave Douglas, Judi Silvano, Ravi Coltrane, Chucho Valdes, Ornette Coleman, Diana Krall, and many others. Lovano has created an extensive body of work for his own ensembles including strings, woodwinds, his horn-rich Nonet, the Classic Quartet, Trio Tapestry, and more.
As the 2026 Artist-in-Residence, Lovano will support Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation educational initiatives for students and community engagement activities across the region throughout the year. In addition, Lovano will lead multiple diverse performances during the Festival, Labor Day weekend. He will also perform with Lamy Istrefi (drums), Leo Geovese (piano) and John Menegon (bass) at the Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center on the campus of Wayne State University, Wednesday, March 25 during the Detroit Jazz Festival Preview Event, which will be live streamed for free on detroitjazzfest.org.
“Joe Lovano’s uniquely personal sound, innovative vision and rich musical vocabulary draw from all eras of jazz with a depth and sophistication that sets him apart. In addition to being immediately recognizable, Joe is one of the most influential and studied jazz artists of our time. His place as an essential pillar of jazz history and innovation is assured. It is befitting that he will be our Artist-in-Residence for this special year at the Detroit Jazz Festival,” said Chris Collins, president and artistic director, Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation.
Open Artist Submission
Open submission for the 2026 Detroit Jazz Festival is now open. The Open Submissions Application offers professional artists at any stage in their career the opportunity to submit ensemble details and audio files for a paid performance slot at the 2026 Detroit Jazz Festival. Deadline for submission is June 1. For more information and to submit, visit detroitjazzfest.org.
The Detroit Jazz Festival will be held in downtown Detroit, Sept. 4-7 (Labor Day weekend).
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About the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation
Under the leadership of President and Artistic Director Chris Collins, the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization that presents jazz and educational workshops throughout the year. The Foundation produces the Detroit Jazz Festival, which is the signature event for the Foundation and the largest free jazz festival in the world. The Festival is also a major tourist attraction for the City of Detroit, with 26 percent of its audience coming from out of state. For more information, visit detroitjazzfest.org.
The Detroit Jazz Festival is supported by the Gretchen C. Valade Endowment for the Arts, a private foundation generously created by the late Angel of Jazz, Gretchen C. Valade. The Foundation also receives grant funding from the DTE Foundation, Fred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation, Kresge Foundation, the Knight Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Arts Midwest and the Carolyn and Mel Wanzo Music Legacy Endowment. Hundreds of individuals also contribute to the Festival through membership and donations.
Major corporate partners include Rocket Companies, Carhartt, JPMorgan Chase, AARP, Absopure, and Kia.
Media partners include Fox 2 Detroit, 760 WJR, WEMU-FM, DownBeat, WDET-FM 101.9, WRCJ 90.9 FM, Channel 22, City of Detroit’s new arts and entertainment channel, and Detroit Public Television.
For more information, visit:
Website – www.detroitjazzfest.org
Facebook — @DetroitJazzFestival
Twitter — @DetroitJazzFest
Instagram — @DetroitJazzFest
