DETROIT – Reflecting a “reunion” theme that returns phenomenal jazz artists and performers who have taken the Festival stage over the last 10 years, including five former Artists-in-Residence, the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation today announced a spectacular lineup for the 40th Annual Detroit Jazz Festival presented by Quicken Loans.
The Festival also brings back pioneer bass virtuoso Stanley Clarke who will serve as the 2019 Artist-inResidence. Clark’s scheduled sets in 2014 and 2017 were cancelled due to inclement weather. Quicken Loans also returns as the presenting sponsor of the world’s largest (and best) free jazz festival. The company has held its presenting sponsorship status since 2016.
“We’re really excited about the exceptional lineup we’ve assembled for the 40th year celebration which reflects a reunion of some of the most inspiring performers and performances we’ve had the pleasure of hosting over the last 10 years at the jazz festival,” said Chris Collins, president and artistic director of the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation. “From jazz legends to up-and-coming revolutionaries and Detroit Homecoming artists, these artists have become a part of our extended family and it’s only appropriate they come back to headline our reunion year.”
Highlight performances for this year’s Festival include Clarke’s sets focused on his highly successful “School Days” album and a ‘Boyz n the Hood’ world premiere with the Detroit Jazz Festival Orchestra. Also, former Artists-in-Residence Ron Carter, Pat Metheny, Joshua Redman, Danilio Pérez and Terence Blanchard will take a stage for the Festival.
Here is a partial listing of this year’s Festival lineup:
Friday, Aug. 30
- Danilo Pérez’s Global Big Band featuring the Detroit Jazz Festival Orchestra and Guests
- Artist-in-Residence: Stanley Clarke – Back-to- ‘School Days’
- The Soul Rebels
- Dr. Valade’s Brass Band led by New Orleans legend, Shannon Powell
Saturday, Aug. 31
- Macy Gray
- Ron Carter Quartet
- Yellowjackets with Luciana Souza
- Danilo Pérez’s Global Messengers
- Joe Lovano Nonet
- Untitled Artist: Cameron Graves with the Detroit Jazz Festival Generations Alumni Band
- Sheila Jordan
- The Soul Rebels
- ELEW
Sunday, Sept. 1
- Artist-in-Residence: Stanley Clarke – A night of jazz with the Stanley Clarke Band
- Kenny Garrett Quintet
- Terence Blanchard – AB2 – Art Blakey Project
- Dee Dee Bridgewater and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra
- Pat Metheny Ron Carter Duo
- John Pizzarelli Trio
- Untitled Artist: Cameron Graves
- Connie Han
- Red Baraat
- Veronica Swift
- Thornetta Davis
Monday, Sept. 2
- Artist-in-Residence: Stanley Clarke – ‘Boyz n the Hood’ featuring the Detroit Jazz Festival String Orchestra
- Pat Metheny: Side Eye
- Chucho Valdés – Jazz Batá
- Still Dreaming with Joshua Redman, Ron Miles, Scott Colley and Dave King
- Luciana Souza’s Book of Longing featuring Chico Pinheiro and Scott Colley
- Marialy Pacheco
- The Four Freshmen and 5 Trombones
- Michael Jellick Sextet
Artist bios and photos are available at detroitjazzfest.org. The full Festival schedule will be available as the event nears.
“On Labor Day weekend, there is no better place in the world than downtown Detroit,” said Gretchen Valade, chair of the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation Board of Directors. “We’re truly poised for a remarkable festival celebrating 40 years of tremendous performers and performances. We welcome our guests from around the world to enjoy one of the best experiences Detroit has to offer.”
Also returning this year is Detroit JAZZ Fest LIVE! For just $10, Festival attendees and out-of-towners unable to make it to the Festival can livestream performances from all four stages, all four days via their smartphone, tablet or desktop. Additionally, the livestreaming service features select performances throughout the year from the Foundation’s year-round initiatives, Festival schedules, maps and more. Jazz enthusiasts that purchased Detroit JAZZ Fest LIVE! for the 2018 Festival, will need to repurchase the livestream service for 2019. Register for the livestream at https://live.detroitjazzfest.org.
Celebrating 40 years, the Detroit Jazz Festival presented by Quicken Loans runs Aug. 30 through Sept. 2.
About the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation
The Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization that presents jazz and educational workshops throughout the year. The Foundation supports the Detroit Jazz Festival presented by Quicken Loans, which is the largest free jazz festival in the world and 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 Foundation receives grant funding from the Kresge Foundation, Erb Family Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the D’Addario Foundation. Hundreds of individuals also contribute to the Festival through membership and donations.
Major corporate partners include Quicken Loans, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., DTE Foundation, Carhartt, Inc., Mack Avenue Music Group, Absopure, Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe and Comcast Cable. Additional partners include AMTECH International, Andiamo, Ascension Michigan, Bedrock Detroit, Bingham Legal Group, Blake’s Hard Cider, Central Michigan University, Cliff Bell’s, Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center, Detroit Saxophone Center, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Digital Planet, Domino’s, Downtown Detroit Partnership, DTE Energy’s Beacon Park Foundation, Element Detroit at the Metropolitan, Fifth Third Bank, Ford Motor Company, George Johnson & Company, Giffels Webster, Greektown Casino-Hotel, House of Pure Vin, MGM Grand Detroit, Oakland University, Pepsi, Plante Moran, Rocket Fiber, Schupan SustainAbility™, Steinway Piano Gallery of Detroit, Stella Artois, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Wayne State University and Woodward Gallery. Media partners include Fox 2, WJR, WEMU-FM, DownBeat, JazzTimes, Metro Times, WDET, WRCJ and Detroit Public Television.
For more information, visit: Website – www.detroitjazzfest.org Facebook — @DetroitJazzFestival Twitter — @DetroitJazzFest Instagram — @DetroitJazzFest
Source: Detroit Jazz Festival