Department of Music students to participate in Detroit Jazz Festival kick off preview event
Festival precursor to showcase full live performances from jazz vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater, Cuban pianist Omar Sosa 2021 Festival Lineup to be Announced
The Detroit Jazz Festival will kick off with a livestreamed announcement of its 2021 Festival lineup on Wednesday, April 7. It will not only include the lineup for the Labor Day weekend event, but also feature live performances by Artist-in-Residence Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Cuban pianist Omar Sosa.
The Detroit Jazz Festival Livestream Preview Event will be held without audiences in recognition of current, city, state and federal safety guidelines for public gatherings during the pandemic. All performances will be streamed live from two indoor stages in the future home of the Gretchen Valade Jazz Center at Wayne State University. The Michigan Hispanic Collaborative, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., and the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation Jazz Guardians are presenting sponsors.
Jazz enthusiasts will be able to view the event and live performances on the Festival's web site and YouTube; or on the proprietary Detroit Jazz Fest LIVE! app available on the App Store and Google Play.
"Last year, we preserved our 41-year legacy and produced a festival that was safe, live and free to nearly a million jazz fans around the globe; truly an unprecedented moment in jazz history," said Chris Collins, Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation president and artistic director. "We look forward to leveraging that experience to keep our 42-year legacy intact and continue our mission of delivering free jazz to audiences here and abroad."
Collins also says a decision on the Festival's format (in person or virtual) will be made in June/July. "We'll continue to monitor and adhere to the current local, state federal guidelines and make a decision(s) based on the best interest(s) of keeping our patrons safe," he said.
The 3-hour preview event, which begins at 6:30 p.m., will also include a special student performance featuring Wayne State University jazz students participating in the educational branch of the Havana-Detroit Jazz Project.
About the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation
Under the leadership of President and Artistic Director Chris Collins, the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization that presents jazz and educational workshops throughout the year. The Foundation produces the Detroit Jazz Festival, which is the signature event for the Foundation and the largest free jazz festival in the world. The Festival is also a major tourist attraction for the City of Detroit, with 26 percent of its audience coming from out of state. For more information, visit detroitjazzfest.org.
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