Detroit Jazz Festival Press Room

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about 17 hours agoWe've showed you all the Detroit high school bands, but Jeff Dunn gave us such an impressive portfolio of photos fr… https://t.co/XPMpb7ebGO
about 3 days agoMore great shots from the festival's New Jazz Infusion student showcase last week. Thanks to all the great… https://t.co/y5VJHkOxoG
about 4 days agoThe future of jazz is in good hands! Thanks to @BridgeDet313 for this piece on the New Jazz Infusion Project studen… https://t.co/CUAqPKqKYb
about 6 days agoIf you missed Jazz After Hours last night, never fear. It lives on at our YouTube link, below ⤵️ and it is a groove… https://t.co/9y2wrqksPb

Karriem Riggins

Detroit’s Karriem Riggins to Serve as Artist-in-Residence at the 2023 Detroit Jazz Festival

March 14, 2023March 15, 2023

Detroit’s Karriem Riggins to serve as Artist-in-Residence at...

Gretchen Valade

Statement on the passing of Gretchen C. Valade from the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation

January 3, 2023January 3, 2023

With a very heavy heart, we are saddened to announce...

Winners announced – 2022 Collegiate Combo Competition & 2022 Youth Jazz Vocal Competition

August 8, 2022August 8, 2022

Congratulations! The Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation celebrates the artistry, craftsmanship...

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We've showed you all the Detroit high school bands

We've showed you all the Detroit high school bands, but Jeff Dunn gave us such an impressive portfolio of photos from the New Jazz Infusion student showcase last week, we'll throw in a few more. Enjoy a few more glimpses of a special day at Cliff Bell's. #jazz #detroit

The festival's New Jazz Infusion Project brought m

The festival's New Jazz Infusion Project brought musicians from seven different high schools in the Detroit Public Schools Community District to play at Cliff Bell's last week. Today, we feature the great players of Renaissance and Cass Tech high schools. Cass is where two of the greatest bassists in jazz history -- Ron Carter and Paul Chambers -- went to school. Big shoes to fill! @detroitk12

More shots from last week's Detroit Jazz Festival

More shots from last week's Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation New Jazz Infusion Workshop Series at Cliff Bell's. Today's batch features the young musicians from the Detroit School of Arts and the Duke Ellington Conservatory of Music and Art, both part of Detroit Public Schools Community District. (The dude in the shades is Allen Dennard, trumpeter, DPS graduate and Jazz Festival alum, who sat in.) It was a wonderful event that showed the future of jazz is in good hands. Next installment: The players of Renaissance and Cass Tech! @detroitk12 @al_kay313

The 2023 Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation New Jazz

The 2023 Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation New Jazz Infusion Workshop Series brings outstanding teachers and artists into Detroit public schools to widen the horizons of the budding musicians there. It all culminated this week with a fantastic showcase concert at Cliff Bell’s, one of Detroit’s great #jazz clubs. Seven high schools in #Detroit Public Schools Community District sent ensembles to play and sing for their peers, parents and fellow players. DJFF education coordinator Chuck Newsome (pictured here, talking to a TV camera) says he loves this outreach effort, and particularly enjoys “making (students) aware that some of the greatest players ever went to their own schools.” Noting the through-line from jazz to contemporary R&B and hip-hop, Newsome added, “once they hear it, see it and experience (jazz), you don’t have to do a lot of arm-twisting to get them to participate.”
Our photographer, Jeff Dunn, got so many great pictures from this event, we’re going to spread them out over a few days. Look for your school’s ensemble, if not today, then soon. This post features players from Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High, Cody High School and Northwestern High School. @detroitk12 @chucknewsomeguitar

Our festival president and creative director, Chri

Our festival president and creative director, Chris Collins, concluded his trip to Italy with a final performance in Domodossola, northwest of Milan. The Detroit Jazz Festival Global-Connect International All-Star Initiative explored the fusion of Detroit and Italian jazz artistry in the Hurricane Quartet, featuring Collins on sax; Lorenzo Blardone, piano; Massimiliano Salina, drums; and Roberto Mattei, bass. The group will continue with a concert series and master classes in Japan, Europe and the U.S., culminating with a feature concert, jam sessions, media appearances and workshops at the 2023 Detroit Jazz Festival this September. @blardomusic @massimiliano_salina @roberto.mattei.music

If you missed Balance last night on Jazz From the

If you missed Balance last night on Jazz From the Cellar -- or if you didn't, and just want to listen again -- you can find the replay on our YouTube channel. Marcus Elliot and Michael Malis made sweet music in our basement studio. Check it out! #jazz #detroit

Tonight! Cap your St. Patrick's Day off right with

Tonight! Cap your St. Patrick's Day off right with Balance on Jazz From the Cellar. Watch live on Facebook Live, YouTube, Twitch or listen on WDET-FM here in Detroit. #jazz #detroit

Finish your St. Patrick's Day right: It's Jazz Fro

Finish your St. Patrick's Day right: It's Jazz From the Cellar tonight, with Balance, featuring Marcus Elliot (sax) and Michael Malis (piano). Listen/watch on Facebook Live, YouTube, Twitch or, if you're in Detroit, on WDET-FM. It all starts at 9 p.m. Eastern. #jazz #detroit ☘️

Balance, featuring Marcus Elliot (sax) and Michael

Balance, featuring Marcus Elliot (sax) and Michael Malis (piano), will be this month's Jazz From the Cellar performance. You can listen/watch TOMORROW on Facebook Live, YouTube, Twitch or, if you're in Detroit, on WDET-FM. It all starts at 9 p.m. Eastern.

Don't forget: Jazz from the Cellar is this Friday.

Don't forget: Jazz from the Cellar is this Friday. We'll be hearing the duo Balance, featuring Marcus Elliot on sax and Michael Malis at the piano. You can listen/watch on Facebook Live, YouTube, Twitch or, if you're in Detroit, on WDET-FM. It all starts at 9 p.m. Eastern. Join us!

DETROIT – The Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation i

DETROIT – The Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation is honored to present Karriem Riggins as its Artist-in-Residence for the 2023 Detroit Jazz Festival. Riggins is a renowned jazz musician, producer, DJ, and EMMY Award winner from Detroit, Michigan.

As the 2023 Artist-in-Residence, @karriemriggins1 will support Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation educational initiatives for students and community engagement activities across the region throughout the year. In addition, Riggins will lead multiple diverse performances during the Festival on Labor Day weekend. He will also be on the campus of Wayne State University to host a master class for university and high school students on April 11, and perform during the April 12 Preview Event which will be livestreamed free on detroitjazzfest.org.

“The selection of Karriem Riggins as the 2023 Artist-in-Residence represents our mission to embrace the next generation of jazz leadership, and jazz’s continuous evolution that makes this genre of music so special and eternal,” said Chris Collins, president and artistic director of the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation. “His artistry, energy, transcending jazz style and presence will create an exciting showcase of talent and diverse tapestry coming from the Festival stages.”

With a career spanning over two decades, Riggins has made a significant impact on the music industry with his versatile style and innovative approach to production. Riggins has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry, including Diana Krall, Common, Erykah Badu, Paul McCartney and Steve Lacy. In addition to jazz, Karriem has received widespread recognition for his contributions to the hip-hop genre. Whether in the studio or on the stage, Riggins continues to push the boundaries of music and inspire a new generation of musicians and artists around the world.

The #Detroit #Jazz Festival will be held in downtown Detroit on Sept. 1 - 4.

Last week we told you our president and CEO, Chris

Last week we told you our president and CEO, Chris Collins, is on the road in Italy for the Detroit Jazz Festival Global-Connect International All-Star Initiative. This week, we invite you to meet the band. The Hurricane Trio will be a quartet with Chris on sax, and today we introduce you to Roberto Mattei, bassist and composer. #detroit #jazz #bassist #italy

Stay Tuned

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(313) 469-6564

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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