Detroit Jazz Festival 2020 announces an outstanding lineup
Detroit Public TV and WRCJ 90.9 FM join Detroit Jazz Fest “On the Road to the Festival”
Watch the virtual announcement at wrcjfm.org
“True to our mission, the Detroit Jazz Festival provides a platform for emerging and legacy artists to
present true jazz presentations to enthusiasts and fans across the world…this year is no exception.” – Chris Collins
At Detroit Public TV and WRCJ 90.9 FM, we aim to strengthen our creative, diverse local community through innovative programming and strong advocacy for the arts. This commitment to helping Greater Detroit residents access the best cultural experiences our great city has to offer has led to us partner with the famed Detroit Jazz Festival for our third consecutive year.
As the Detroit Jazz Festival approaches its 50-year anniversary, Detroit Public TV and WRCJ are proud to partner with this iconic annual event that helps ensure jazz remains an important part of life in the town played such a large role in the creation of this great art form.
In keeping with a tradition of presenting true jazz artists and presentations that define its renowned jazz reputation and legacy across the globe, the Detroit Jazz Festival today announced its 2020 lineup for Labor Day weekend.
Previously announced, Grammy and Tony-award winning jazz vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater will serve as the Festival’s Artist-in-Residence. The Detroit Jazz Festival is the world’s largest (and best) free jazz festival in the world.
“True to our mission, the Detroit Jazz Festival provides a platform for emerging and legacy artists to present true jazz presentations to enthusiasts and fans across the world…this year is no exception,” said Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation President and Artistic Director Chris Collins.
“This year’s festival will showcase a very dynamic group of artists from various disciplines and generations, representing our embedded mission to present multiple facets of jazz in one festival setting,” said Collins.
The 2020 Artist-in-Residence Dee Dee Bridgewater will headline multiple performances during the Festival including an opening set with protégé group, the Woodshed Network Ladies, and a closing night performance with her all-female big band. Other highlights include performances from Herbie Hancock, Pharoah Sanders, Gregory Porter, Abdullah Ibrahim, Omar Sosa and Marialy Pacheco; and Kurt Elling’s Big Blind in conjunction with Broadway legend Ben Vereen and others.
This year’s theme, The Road to the Festival, also kicks off a journey to the Festival’s 50-year celebration.
Here’s a partial listing of this year’s Festival lineup:
Friday, Sept. 4
- 2020 Artist-in-Residence Dee Dee Bridgewater and the Woodshed Network Ladies
- Herbie Hancock
Saturday, Sept. 5
- Matthew Whitaker Quartet
- Kenny Barron Trio
- Alicia Olatuja – “Intuition: Songs From The Minds of Women”
- Etienne Charles – Creole Soul
- David Binney Angeleno Quartet
- Keyon Harrold presents Jazz and the Birth of Hip Hop with special guests “Elzi”, Georgia Anne Muldrow and Chris “Daddy” Dave
- Pharoah Sanders: Icon
- The Summit: The Manhattan Transfer Meets Take 6
- Kurt Elling’s Big Blind; featuring Kurt Elling, 2020 Artist-in-Residence Dee Dee
- Bridgewater, Broadway Legend Ben Vereen and others
Sunday, Sept. 6
- Michael Mayo Quartet
- Roberto Fonseca – YESUN
- Alfredo Rodriguez & Richard Bona Sextet
- 2020 Artist-in-Residence Dee Dee Bridgewater and Bill Charlap
- Abdullah Ibrahim and the Detroit Jazz Festival Orchestra
- Anat Cohen Tentet/Musical Director, Oded Lev-Ari
- Sean Jones: “Dizzy Spellz”
- The Dave Brubeck 100th Anniversary Tribute; featuring the Brubeck Brothers, Jerry
- Bergonzi, the Detroit Jazz Festival Orchestra and Choir, and others
- Fly Higher: Charlie Parker@100 Co Music directors: Rudresh Mahanthappa & Terri Lyne
- Carrington
- Gregory Porter
Monday, Sept. 7
- Abdullah Ibrahim & Ekaya
- Joey Alexander Trio
- Jimmy Greene Quintet
- Eddie Daniels and Bob James; Exploring New Worlds
- Omar Sosa & Marialy Pacheco Piano Duo
- Robert Glasper
- 2020 Artist-in-Residence Dee Dee Bridgewater and her all-female big band
The full Festival schedule will be available as the event nears.
“There is no better place in the world for jazz than Labor Day weekend in Detroit,” said Gretchen Valade, chair of the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation Board of Directors. “We’re truly excited for another great jazz festival and welcome our guests from around the world to our beautiful city.”
Also returning this year is “Detroit JAZZ Fest LIVE!” For just $20, 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 services features select performances throughout the year from the Foundation’s year-round initiatives, festival schedules, maps and more. Register for the livestream at https://live.detroitjazzfest.org.
The Detroit Jazz Festival will be held in downtown Detroit on Sept. 4 – 7.
Watch the virtual announcement at wrcjfm.org
Rich Homberg
President and CEO
Detroit Public Television - 1 Clover Court, Wixom, MI 48393
248-640-4169 - rhomberg@dptv.org - @RichHomberg
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