Regina Carter

“Detroit and Chicago have produced some of the most prolific and influential jazz artists in the world,” said Terri Pontremoli, DJF executive director.  “We decided it was high time to highlight the musical contributions of both cities.  For years, Chicago and Detroit have hosted competing jazz festivals on the same weekend, so why not have an out-and-out rumble?” Pontremoli added.

DJF officials revealed the full lineup of artists, many of whom have Chicago or Detroit ties such as Herbie Hancock, Kurt Elling (performing with the Wayne State Big Band), Mavis Staples, Otis Clay, Bettye Lavette, The Miracles, Curtis Fuller, Kenny Garrett, Ron Carter and Gerald Wilson.

Joe Lovano © Andrea Canter

More than 30 jazz, Latin, blues, and groove acts will perform at Symphony Hall, Scullers Jazz Club, the Beehive, and outdoor stages along Columbus Avenue. The BeanTown Jazz Festival is sponsored by Sovereign Bank and Target. For a complete list of all events, venues, and performers, visit beantownjazz.org.

The crown jewel is the September 28 opening night concert directed by Newport Jazz Festival founder George Wein entitled A Celebration of Jazz and Joyce - A Concert to Establish the Joyce Alexander Wein Scholarship Fund. Promising to be one of the great jazz concerts in Boston history, the lineup features Roy Haynes, Branford Marsalis, Jon Faddis, Joe Lovano, Lizz Wright, Geri Allen, Regina Carter, Toshiko Akiyoshi and Lew Tabackin, Kenny Werner, Howard Alden, Jimmy Cobb and Ray Drummond. More names will be announced soon. The concert takes place at Symphony Hall at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $100, $70, $55, and $40.00 and are on sale now at bso.org, or by calling 888-266-1200. The Symphony Hall box office opens on September 4.

The John Coltrane Memorial Concert celebrates its 30th anniversary by expanding its annual programming to one full week of paying tribute to one of the most influential musicians of our time. From September 16-22, the 'Trane legacy will be granted the intense focus it very much deserves. Featured performers include Ravi Coltrane Quartet & Amiri Baraka, Bill Pierce Quartet with Mulgrew Miller, John Coltrane Memorial Ensemble, Your Neighborhood Saxophone Quartet, Aardvark Orchestra and others.

Both Boston and Cambridge have joined hands in declaring this week in September as the week to pay special attention to a man who long after his death continues to shape America's musical heritage, jazz and otherwise. Some may argue that his influence reaches far beyond the musical realm - since his works have more than once served as symbols for social causes and spiritual enlightenment, including the quest for world peace. No matter what the claim, John Coltrane, born on September 23, 1926 (only to die young on July 17, 1967), lives on in the hearts and minds of both musicians and listeners alike.

Diane Schuur

Long Beach-For two decades the Long Beach Jazz Festival has been showcasing the best in jazz, R&B, and smooth jazz as the premier jazz festival in Southern California. To mark the 20th Anniversary of the festival, founder Al Williams delivered as promised to pull out all the stops. Highlights for this year’s festival included a nightly fireworks show with performances by some of the best and brightest in the jazz, smooth jazz and R&B genres. The festival debuted the inaugural Long Beach Jazz Festival Lifetime Achievement Award and the Al Williams Jazz Heritage Award. For the first time, an additional stage was set up in the pavilion area to showcase local talent.

Friday night-Pastor Raymond LeBlanc of First Lutheran Church of Long Beach said the opening prayer to officially get the festival underway. Reggie Harrison-Long Beach City Manager presented Al Williams a Proclamation on the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of the Long Beach Jazz Festival.