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It’s no surprise that local talent will dominate the musical lineup for the virtual Detroit Jazz Festival this Labor Day weekend, including a opening number that pays tribute to the fight for equality.
Some of the city’s top jazz talent, including Sean Dobbins, Joan Belgrave and Marion Hayden, plus national artists like Robert Glasper, are scheduled to be part of this year’s streaming event.
Organizers released details of the audience-less performances in early July.
Sets will be streamed and broadcast live from indoor sound stages that will be built at the Detroit Marriott at the GM Renaissance Center. The performances are closed to the public, and jazz fans can view in real time, with no replays or on-demand viewing.
Artists can be heard on public radio and television stations and via the city’s new arts and entertainment outlet, Channel 22. The festival can be viewed worldwide at detroitjazzfest.org and through the festival’s smartphone app.
The Detroit Jazz Festival begins the evening of Sept 4 with an ensemble performance of “Justice.” It is a tribute to “the quest for equal rights” and an homage to civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis.
“As the country continues to struggle with its commitment to racial equality during a global pandemic, we found it befitting to produce a tribute to this pivotal time in American history and hopefully, allow the power of music to inspire change for better,” said festival president and artistic director Chris Collins.
Here is the schedule for the virtual event.
6:15-11:45 p.m. Sept. 4
“Justice” with Sister Strings: Roots, Voice & Drums, Detroit Jazz Fest All Stars Generations Band, Michael Jellick Sextet and Robert Hurst presents the Black Current Jam Band
Lulu Fall and the Kris Johnson Group
Pharoah Sanders: Icon
Legacy Artists: Ursula Walker and Buddy Budson
11:20 a.m.-Midnight Sept. 5
Tartarsauce Traditional Jazz Band
Alex Harding: Afro Horn
Ron Di Salvo Trio
Dr. Prof. Leonard King Orchestra
Gayelynn McKinney & McKinney Zone
Sabbatical Bob
Aguanko
Rodney Whitaker Septet w/ Vocalist Rockelle Fortin featuring the Music of Count Basie and Billie Holiday
Steve Turre Quintet
Something to Live For – Music of Billy Strayhorn
11:20 a.m.-Midnight Sept. 6
Sunday, Sept. 6 (11:20 a.m. – Midnight)
Collegiate Combo Competition Winner
Sven Anderson – Doc’s Holiday
The Rayse Biggs Collective
The Dave Bennett Quartet
Beartrap
Sean Dobbins Trio
Sister Strings: Roots, Voice & Drums
Robert Hurst presents the Black Current Jam Band
Walter White Big Band
Michael Jellick Sextet
11:20 a.m.-11 p.m. Sept. 7
Marion Hayden: Detroit Legacy
David McMurray
Joan Belgrave presents: The Marcus Belgrave Legacy Ensemble
Joey Alexander Trio
The Curtis Taylor Quartet
Call Al
Henry Conerway III
Rene Marie & Experiment in Truth
Robert Glasper
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