DETROIT (WXYZ) — The Detroit Jazz Festival, the world’s largest (and best) free jazz festival, returns Labor Day weekend during a livestream preview event that included live performances from the 2021 Artist-in-Residence Dee Dee Bridgewater.
Bridgewater will headline multiple performances during the Jazz Fest, including an opening set with protégé group, the Woodshed Network Ladies, and a closing night performance with her all-female big band. Other highlights include performances from Herbie Hancock, Gregory Porter, Abdullah Ibrahim, Omar Sosa and the Havana-Detroit Jazz Project; and Kurt Elling’s Big Blind. Acts for the final two days are posted below. For more information, visit detroitjazzfest.org.
Sunday, Sept. 5
o Michael Mayo
o Roberto Fonseca
o 2021 Artist-in-Residence Dee Dee Bridgewater Bill Charlap Duo
o Abdullah Ibrahim and the Detroit Jazz Festival Orchestra (Big Band)
o Anat Cohen Tentet/Musical Director, Oded Lev-Ari
o Sean Jones: “Dizzy Spellz”
o Kenny Garrett
o Tribute to Dave Brubeck @ 100: Brubeck Brothers Quartet – featuring Jerry Bergonzi, Detroit Jazz Festival Choir and the Detroit Jazz Festival Orchestra
o AZIZA featuring Dave Holland, Chris Potter, Lionel Loueke and Eric Harland
o Gregory Porter
Monday, Sept. 6
o Abdullah Ibrahim: Ekaya
o Jimmy Greene Quintet
o Eddie Daniels and Bob James; Exploring New Worlds
o Fly Higher: Charlie Parker@100 Co Music directors: Rudresh Mahanthappa & Terri Lyne Carrington, Charenee Wade, Adam O’Farrill, Kris Davis, Larry Grenadier and Kassa Overall
o 2021 Artist-in-Residence Dee Dee Bridgewater Female Big Band
