Sep 1, 2011
"Jazz is America's most significant artistic export to the world, and it's fun and interesting to hear the spin that other cultures take on it, While it can be argued that the festival literally brings the world to Detroit year after year, there is a definite international flair in 2011." - Terri Pontremoli, executive and artistic director, Detroit Jazz Festival
Voted one of the top three jazz festivals in North America in national jazz publications this year, the 32nd Detroit Jazz Festival continues to demonstrate how much jazz shines as a symbol of freedom and democracy all over the world this Labor Day weekend, Friday, Sept. 2 through Monday, Sept. 5.
Subtitled "We Bring You the World," artists from Benin, Brazil, Cuba, Israel, Japan and the Netherlands will convene in Detroit at the world's largest free jazz festival. Performers include: Toots Thielemans, Dave Holland, Luciana Souza, Gary Burton, Ivan Lins, Paquito D'Rivera, Angélique Kidjo, Kevin Eubanks, Vijay Iyer, Vinicius Cantuária, Joe Lovano, Mandrill, Chuck Jackson, Deacon Jones Blues Revue, Steve Wilson, U.S. Airforce Airmen of Note with Joe Locke, Anthony Wilson, Sun Ra Arkestra, Sammy Figueroa, Tony Monaco, Richie Goods, Rahsaan Patterson, Sean Jones, and Christian McBride with Ernie Andrews and the Detroit Jazz Festival Orchestra, this year presented by MotorCity Casino Hotel.
While artists are visiting from across the globe, some of Detroit's own jazz artists will be coming home. The Detroit-born Dianne Reeves, Geri Allen, Regina Carter, Curtis Fuller, Robert Hurst and Karriem Riggins will prove once again that, based on the talent that comes from southeast Michigan, there must be something in the water. Riggins will be joined onstage by rapper/actor Common in a fusion of two vibrate art forms. The festival will also recognize Detroit's big band tradition with a J.C. Heard tribute band led by Walt Szymanski, and the music of Detroit's Jean Goldkette played by Josh Duffee & his Orchestra.
Podcast 228 brings you an overview of some of these exciting acts, including music from
Warren Wolf - "How I Feel On This Given Moment" from Warren Wolf.
Sammy Figueroa & His Latin Explosion - "Latin What?" from Urban Nature,
New Gary Burton Quartet - "Late Night Sunrise" from Common Ground.
Sachal Vasandani - "Flood" from Hi-Fly.
Kevin Eubanks - "Spider Monkey Cafe" from Zen Food.
Christian McBride Big Band - "Shake N' Bake" from The Good Feeling.