Detroit Jazz Festival

[Lois Gilbert]

Herbie Hancock to play jazz fest
Superstar pianist to play opening night show


Superstar jazz pianist Herbie Hancock has been added to the opening night lineup of the 28th annual Detroit International Jazz Festival on Labor Day weekend.

Hancock’s current quartet, which includes guitarist Lionel Loueke, bassist Nathan East and drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, will perform Friday, Aug. 31. The Chicago-born Hancock joins the 2007 festival’s artist in residence, Detroit-born violinist Regina Carter and her quintet, as the opening-night double bill.


The pairing reinforces the 2007 festival’s thematic focus on Detroit and Chicago as major midwestern jazz hubs.

The festival, one of the largest free jazz festivals in North America, runs through Sept. 3 on six stages in downtown Detroit that stretch from Hart Plaza on the riverfront to Campus Martius Park, with a pedestrian mall along Woodward Avenue linking the main festival sites.

Festival leaders have said that after several years of trumpeting crossover acts, they intend to reemphasize the festival’s jazz roots this year with more leading-edge jazz musicians and more focused thematic programming. Hancock, 67, one of the most influential pianists and composers in modern jazz, would appear to be a step in that direction.

Still, Hancock’s well-known eclecticism makes predicting the exact tenor of his performances difficult. For the last 30 years, Hancock has divided his time between pure-jazz ensembles and fusion projects. The former draw heavily on his roots as an innovator dating back to the ‘60s and a landmark tenure with Miles Davis and his own classic LPs; the latter play up his fondness for pop styles ranging from funk to hip hop.

His current quartet suggests a stronger affiliation with the populist side of his career, though Hancock’s presence alone is enough to elevate the level of the bandstand and it certainly adds a jolt of relevance to the Detroit Jazz Festival, which has ignored contemporary players of Hancock’s pedigree in recent years.

Though Hancock appears regularly in metro Detroit, a survey of the Free Press archives suggests he has not performed at the jazz festival since 1981.

Other acts booked for the 2007 festival include Detroit-born saxophonist Kenny Garrett, clarinetist Don Byron, saxophonist Ron Blake, trumpeter Sean Jones, guitarist Russell Malone, guitarist Stanley Jordan, pianist Bill Charlap, guitarist John Scofield with Medeski, Martin and Wood, pianist Dave Brubeck Quartet, Detroit singer Bettye LaVette, Chicago gospel singer Mavis Staple, trombonist Conrad Herwig’s Latin Side of Miles Davis and John Coltrane, Gerald Wilson Big Band and Chicago vocalist Kurt Elling with the Wayne State University Big Band.

As artist in residence, Carter will perform with her own quintet, in a duet setting with pianist Kenny Barron and as a soloist with the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra.

The complete festival lineup will be announced in May.

[Lois Gilbert]

The Detroit International Jazz Fest is proud to announce that Detroit-born
violinist and recent MacArthur Foundation “Genius Award” winner Regina
Carter has been named the festival’s first artist in residence.

Hailed by Time Magazine as “one of the top creative artists in America,”
Carter made history in 2001 when she became the first jazz musician and
first African-American to play the legendary Guarneri violin once owned by
classical music virtuoso Niccolo Paganini.

Carter will open the festival with her quintet on Friday, August 31, play
duets with veteran pianist Kenny Barron, and close the festival with the
Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra.

Carter will be joined on opening night by legendary pianist, composer and
NEA Jazz Master Herbie Hancock. A Chicago native, Hancock’s illustrious
career has spanned five decades and includes historic recordings with Miles
Davis’ great second quintet, the electronic jazz-funk classic Headhunters –
the first platinum album in jazz history – and his multi-Grammy Award
winning album Gershwin’s World.

[Enforcer]

Hell yes! I can't recall Herbie playing this festival before.

[Lois Gilbert]

Let me add Charles Tolliver Big Band!

[Lois Gilbert]

Detroit Jazz Festival adds performers

Susan Whitall / The Detroit News

Detroit International Jazz Festival organizers announced additional names and details for this summer's festival today at a jazz-fueled press conference at the fabled Top of the Pontch, high atop the Hotel Pontchartrain in downtown Detroit.

In addition to jazz violinist Regina Carter, the Detroit native who is artist in residence for this year's festival, other acts will include jazz pianist Herbie Hancock, gospel/blues great Mavis Staples, R&B singer Patti Austin, saxophonist Kenny Garrett, R&B singer Bettye Lavette, Wendell Harrison's Chicago Connection, former pop singer Maria Muldaur doing a jazz thing with Jim Dapogny's Chicago Ensemble, the Gerald Wilson Big Band, Kurt Elling, saxophonist James Carter, venerable jazz pianist Dave Brubeck and his Quartet, Ron Carter, popular local gypsy jazzers Hot Club of Detroit and jazz guitarist Stanley Jordan and his Trio.

Singer Austin won't be doing R&B, but will perform music from her "Avant Gershwin" CD with the Gerald Wilson Big Band, and Staples, the familiar lead vocalist for the Staple Singers, will no doubt perform selections from her stellar new CD, "We'll Never Turn Back," a collection of songs related to the civil rights movement. Staples, Kim Burrell and Sean Jones will all perform on Gospel Monday, Sept. 3.

There is less focus on roots music, whether New Orleans music or Detroit R&B this year, and less of a Motown presence, so it remains to be seen if the large crowds that flocked to last year's festival, which echoed the musical diversity of the New Orleans Jazz Heritage Festival, will come downtown for a roster that reverts back to a purer jazz lineup.

There are a few tips of the hat to local R&B. Motown's Miracles will perform, celebrating their 50th anniversary; Don Byron's Junior Walker Project is an homage to the Motown saxophonist; and the Michigan State University Big Band will perform a "What's Going On" suite, a tribute to Marvin Gaye.

New this year will be a series of Budweiser-sponsored club dates featuring a mix of blues and jazz artists on Friday nights throughout August at Memphis Smoke in Royal Oak, as well as Cliff Bell's, Bert's in the Marketplace and Baker's Keyboard Lounge in Detroit, with national and local acts to be announced.

Smooth jazz WVMV-FM (98.7) morning host and flutist Alexander Zonjic will perform with the Motor City Horns, the young horn section that gave Bob Seger a Stax Records flavor on his recent comeback tour.

Zonjic first played with the Motor City Horns at the Detroit Music Awards. This performance will be different from his usual flute gig.

"I've worked with horns before, but not with a real ensemble like that," Zonjic said today . "We'll be performing with Thornetta Davis. We play the blues, and it'll be nice for me to be back playing guitar."

After the announcements, Carter played a set with bassist Rodney Whitaker, who will also perform at the jazz fest. Afterward Carter, a Cass Tech and Oakland University graduate, looked out at the Top of the Pontch's view of the river and reminisced.

"I told my girlfriend Carla Cook that I was going to be here -- she turned me on to jazz in high school, and when she got her license, we came here to a P'Jazz concert," said Carter. "She said 'you are really taking me back!'"

The Hotel Pontchartrain, currently under renovation to become part of the Sheraton chain, will be the official hotel of the Detroit Jazz Fest, and will host after-hours jam sessions and a salsa party on Sunday night, Sept. 2.

In addition to opening the festival on Aug. 31, followed by Hancock's set, Carter will teach at a jazz camp for middle school students. At the festival she will be performing with her quintet, in a duo with Kenny Barron, and as a special guest with the Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestrea.

Carter spoke about the MacArthur fellowship she was awarded last fall; given the chance to study anything, she will be immersed in music therapy. "I'm interested in how music affects the brain," said Carter. "It's so powerful, whether people are dying, or sick. It helped my mom, when she was in the hospital." Carter didn't play her violin for her mother, but she would play recorded music, and could see how it affected her mother positively.

"We are the only culture to separate music and art. And music is the first thing to get cut in the schools," she lamented.

Detroit jazz historians Lars Bjorn and Jim Gallert will return with their series of interviews with festival artists and symposiums on musical topics in the Jazz Talk Tent.

Detroit International Jazz Festival Lineup

Here are the acts announced; more to come. For more information go to detroitjazzfest.com.

Friday, Aug. 31:

Regina Carter Quintet

Herbie Hancock Quartet

Michigan State University Big Band: "What's Goin' On: A Jazz Tribute to Motown's Marvin Gaye."

Saturday, Sept. 1

Dave Brubeck Quartet

Marcus Belgrave

Kenny Garrett Quartet

Dominick Farinacci

Medeski, Martin and Wood with John Scofield

Ron Blake

Stanley Jordan Trio

Scott Gwinnell Big Band

Faruq Z. Bey and the North Woods Improvisers

Sachal Vasandani

Bill Charlap Trio

Chiara Civello

Doug Deming and the Jewel Tones

Johnny O'Neal

Sunday Sept. 2

Regina Carter and Kenny Barron Duo

Wendell Harrison and the Chicago Connection

Don Byron's Junior Walker Project

Erald Wilson Big Band with Patti Austin

Wayne State University Big Band with Kurt Elling

Maria Muldaur and the Jim Dapogny Chicago Group

The Miracles

Russell Malone Quartet

Spanish Harlem Orchestra

Marion Hayden

Conrad Herwig's Latin Side of Miles, Trane & Wayne

Charles Tolliver Big Band

Curtis Fuller Super Band with Randy Brecker and Louis Hayes

Jennifer Sannon

Kenn Cox

Jesse Palter

Steve Richko tribute to Oscar Peterson

Monday Sept. 3

The Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra featuring Regina Carter

Mavis Staples

Bettye LaVette

The Classical Jazz Quartet: Ron Carter, Stefon Harris, Kenny Barron, Lewis Nash

Alexander Zonjic with the Motor City Horns and Thornetta Davis

The Sean Jones Quartet featuring Kim Burrell

Carl Allen and Rodney Whitaker, a tribute to Johnny Griffin's 1957 album "A Blowin' Session."

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll...DATE/705090471

[Lois Gilbert]

Detroit Jazz Fest announces winners of the 2007 Jazz Guardian Award

Detroit—Festival organizers recently announced Bill Foster and Yusef Lateef Jazz Guardians of 2007.

The Jazz Guardian Award is an annual recognition of an individual with Michigan ties who through advocacy, teaching, philanthropy or musical achievement has made an extraordinary contribution to the elevation and perpetuation of jazz. The Detroit Jazz Fest advisory committee identified a slate of non-musicians and musicians and then vetted and selected the honorees.

Bill Foster, 2007 Jazz Guardian Award for Advocacy
Preserving the legacy of jazz is the primary focus of Bill Foster’s Jazz Network Foundation. A true guardian of jazz, Bill works tirelessly to keep it alive in a performance space surrounded by Afro-centric artwork. His famed SereNgeti Galleries also house the National Jazz Orchestra, Youth in Music Program and several African dance troupes. With a mission to provide showcases for artists and musicians, training for youth, and international cultural exchange, the Jazz Network Foundation advances and preserves jazz and multi-cultural arts. Over the years, Mulgrew Miller, George Bohanon, Marcus Belgrave, Dr. Teddy Harris, Jr., Kareem Riggins, Rodney Whitaker, Oscar Brown, Jr., Kenn Cox and Donald Walden have performed in his hallowed venue.

Yusef Lateef, 2007 Jazz Guardian Award for Artistry
Yusef Lateef is a Grammy Award-winning composer, performer, recording artist, author, educator, philosopher and a major force on the international musical scene for more than six decades. He is universally acknowledged as one of the great living masters and innovators in the African American tradition of autophysiopsychic music – that that which comes from one’s spiritual, physical and emotional self.

As a virtuoso on a broad spectrum of reed instruments – tenor saxophone, flute, oboe, bamboo flute, shanai, shofar, argol, sarewa, and taiwan koto – Yusef Lateef has introduced new sounds and blends of tone colors to audiences all over the world.

As a composer, he has compiled a catalogue of works not only for his ensembles, but for symphony and chamber orchestras, stage bands, vocalists, choruses and solo pianists. His extended works have been performed by the WDR (Cologne), NDR (Hamburg), Atlanta, Augusta and Detroit Symphony Orchestras and the Symphony of the New World. He won a Grammy for his recording of “Yusef Lateef’s Little Symphony,” on which he performed all the parts, in 1987. He is a Five Colleges professor at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, MA, from which he was awarded a Ph.D. in Education in 1975.

Yusef A. Lateef was born William Emanuel Huddleston on October 9, 1920 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and moved with his family to Detroit in 1925. In Detroit’s fertile musical environment, Yusef soon established long-standing friendships with such masters of American music as Milt Jackson, Tommy Flanagan, Barry Harris, Paul Chambers, Donald Byrd, the Jones brothers (Hank, Thad and Elvin), Kenny Burrell, Lucky Thompson and Matthew Rucker. At the age of 18, he began touring professionally with swing bands led by Hartley Toots, Hot Lips Page, Roy Eldridge, Herbie Fields and eventually Lucky Millender. In 1949 he was invited to perform with the Dizzy Gillespie Orchestra.

Yusef first began recording under his own name in 1956 for Savoy Records, and has since made more than 100 recordings as a leader for the Savoy, Prestige, Contemporary, Impulse, Atlantic and YAL labels. His early recordings of such songs as “Love Theme from Spartacus” and “Morning” continue to receive extensive airplay even today. He also toured and recorded with the ensembles of Charles Mingus, Cannonball Adderley, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie and Babatunde Olatunji in the 1960s.

In 1993 the WDR Orchestra producer Ulrich Kurtz commissioned Yusef Lateef’s most ambitious work to date, The African American Epic Suite, a four-movement work for quintet and orchestra representing 400 years of slavery and disfranchisement of African Americans in America. David de Villiers conducted the premiere performance and recording with the WDR Orchestra.

[Lois Gilbert]

The Great JazzCorner/Detroit Jazz Fest Giveaway

We are so pleased that for the 3rd year in a row, JazzCorner.com is the proud online sponsor of the Detroit Jazz Festival. This year has an incredible lineup. So we have an incredible giveaway for you.


Grand Prize winner will receive:

3 Night Hotel and 4 days (for 2)
(Friday night - thru Sunday night)

VIP viewing for all events
Goody Bags

We also have 2 prize winners receiving VIP passes for two for all festival events

I will be there, as well as several JC Clients including Charles Tolliver, Kenny Barron, Sean Jones, Stefon Harris and Bill Charlap (yes we're building his website)

In addition, I'll be moderating a Jazz Talk Tent panel on the "Legacy of Gerald Wilson" who will be celebrating his 90th birthday with of course, Gerald as well as Sean Jones and Charles Tolliver. This should be great fun.

Go to Detroit Entry

Winners will be chosen at random. Your email will never be sold or used by anyone other than JazzCorner and the Detroit Jazz Festival.