Sonny Rollins (photo courtesy Ted Kurland Associates)

The largest totally free jazz festival in the world returns to Motor City August 31-September 3. The 33rd Annual Detroit Jazz Festival boasts a list of headliners that collectively account for more than 200 Grammy nominations and more than 100 Grammy Awards—a list headed by Sonny Rollins, Wynton Marsalis, Chick Corea, Gary Burton, Wayne Shorter, Pat Metheny and Artist in Residence, Terence Blanchard. And that is just the tip of the jazz iceberg. With official presenting sponsor Chrysler (“imported from Detroit”) and other major support from Mack Avenue Records, Carhartt Industries, Chase/JP Morgan, DTE Energy Foundation and Comcast, the Detroit festival will welcome a crowd of more than 750,000 to the festival space of over 2 million square feet, from the three stages along the riverfront at Hart Plaza to Campus Mauritius in the heart of downtown. 

Joe Lovano©Andrea Canter

“My focus has always been on continually improving the festival,” said Gretchen Valade, Chair of the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation board of directors. “Chris Collins has done a fantastic job securing this all-star lineup for the 2012 festival. All of these incredible performers coming together at the Detroit Jazz Festival means a lot, not only to our city, but to all jazz enthusiasts. It is a chance to see so many favorites in one arena. I could not be more thrilled with how this year’s festival continues to develop and, as always, it’s free to the public.”

Wynton Marsalis©Andrea Canter

While the Detroit Festival is huge, it is also user-friendly. A virtual army of volunteers ensures a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone as well has friendly help at every venue. Foot traffic flows easily in all directions; there’s handy concessions and restaurants for all budgets and tastes; there’s ample underground parking in the heart of the festival for $10/day; the festival hotel (Marriott) is located adjacent to Hart Plaza.

And if you never regarded Detroit as a vacation destination, look again-- nearby are some of the nation’s most interesting museums, including the Detroit Institute of Arts, Motown Museum and more. Check out Detroit’s famed Eastern Market, Motor City Casino, the zoo on Belle Isle, Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Estate. cruise on the Detroit Princess riverboat, etc.

Of course there’s really only time for one thing during the Detroit Jazz Festival – music!

2012 Line-Up

The festival website will soon post a downloadable schedule showing the full line-up for each stage throughout the four nights and three days of music. Among the artists appearing this year:

Terence BLanchard©Andrea Canter

• Terence Blanchard Quintet

• Sonny Rollins

 Saturday, September 1

• Chick Corea and Gary Burton with The Harlem String Quartet

• Wynton Marsalis Quintet

• Mack Avenue Superband featuring Kenny Garrett, Kevin Eubanks, Carl Allen, Alfredo Rodriguez, Aaron Diehl, Tia Fuller, Sean Jones and more
• Louis Hayes and the Jazz Communicators
• Steve Wilson with Strings (music from Bird With Strings)
•  Jerry Bergonzi Quintet
• Charles McPherson Quintet with Tom Harrell
• Ellery Eskelin Trio
• The Trio – Larry Goldings, Peter Bernstein and Bill Stewart

 Sunday, September 2

• Pat Metheny Unity Band (Chris Potter, Ben Williams, Antonio Sanchez)
• Wayne Shorter Quartet (Danilo Perez, John Patitucci, Brian Blade)
• Arturo O’Farrill Septet with Donald Harrison
•  Poncho Sanchez Latin Band with Terence Blanchard
• Joe Lovano and Dave Doublas Quintet (Lawrence Fields, Linda Oh, Joey Baron)
• Brian Lynch and Unsung Heroes
• Wayne Shorter Tribute
• David Binney Quartet
• Gerald Cleaver and Uncle June (featuring Craig Taborn)

• Alfredo Rodriguez Trio
• Fred Hersch Trio
• Marcus Belgrave Homecoming Band
• Geoffrey Keezer and Donny McCaslin
• Charlie Gabriel Birthday with Preservation Hall Jazz Band
• George Benson and Rick Margitza

 Monday, September 3

• “Night in Treme” (The Musical Majesty of New Orleans) featuring the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, James “ Twelve “ Andrews, Donald Harrison Jr. and Christian Scott
• Lew Tabackin Quartet featuring Randy Brecker
• Kenny Garrett Quartet
• WSU Big band with Joe Lovano and Judy Silvano
• Tia Fuller  (CD Release)

• Donald Harrison Quintet
•  Donny McCaslin Group featuring Jason Lindner, Tim LeFebvre and Mark Guilana
• Duke Ellington Sacred Music conducted by David Berger
•  Jerry Gonzalez Y Los Comandos De Clave
• Art Blakey Tribute

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