To maintain the jazz legacy that is Detroit, the 36th annual Detroit Jazz Festival is tuning up and ready to fill the streets of Downtown. As the world’s largest free jazz festival, enthusiasts from all around will gather labor day weekend to absorb the history of Detroit’s jazz scene and the unique entity that it is today.
Staying true to its roots, the festival will be taking over several city blocks of downtown Detroit from Hart Plaza to Campus Martius. Attendees will find five different stages with 100 acts throughout all four days, and also offers educational activities for adults and children, fireworks, late-night jam sessions, rare opportunities to meet the artists and much more – for FREE.
The 2015 lineup features an eclectic collection of performances, including a Homecoming Series with Detroit natives, exciting new artists, legends, and student groups all connected around special custom programming and unique musical experiences that cannot be seen anywhere else in the world.
This year’s artist-in-residence, Pat Metheny, cultivates a jazz-rock blend that targets both jazz aficionados and general audiences. Even as a contemporary jazz star from Missouri, Metheny grew up in a time where the wonders of Motown were thriving in the Motor City. With four separate performances at this year’s festival, you can bet that Metheny will bring those same Motown vibes back to its home.
Founded in 1980 by Robert McCabe and the Detroit Renaissance, the Detroit International Jazz Festival was intended to bring people into the city and to provide all segments of the population with world-class entertainment. Thirty six years later, the festival is still growing, educating, and cultivating the soul behind this city and the music that jives it.
For a full list of this year’s lineup and event details, check out www.detroitjazzfest.com.
