Jul 17, 2025 12:44 PM
DownBeat’s 73rd Annual Critics Poll: One for the Record Books
You see before you what we believe is the largest and most comprehensive Critics Poll in the history of jazz. DownBeat…
Dave McMurray (left), Esperanza Spalding, Ravi Coltrane and Terri Lyne Carrington pay tribute to the late Geri Allen at the 2018 Detroit Jazz Festival.
(Photo: Tak Tokiwa/Detroit Jazz Festival)The Detroit Jazz Festival, which previously announced its move online and focus on local talent, today presented the lineup for Sept. 4-7.
“This is a tremendous opportunity to showcase our Detroit talent, our Detroit sound, to the global jazz community,” Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation President and Artistic Director Chris Collins said in a press release. “The lineup of Detroit jazz legacy artists, coupled with the up-and-coming generation of jazz revolutionaries will provide an exciting jazz journey through Detroit’s past, present and future.”
Among the acts set to appear are Pharoah Sanders, Robert Glasper, Robert Hurst, Rodney Whitaker, Steve Turre and Sister Strings. Joan Belgrave also will present The Marcus Belgrave Legacy Ensemble.
Performances are set to be broadcast live from the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center. There won’t be live audiences, but the same lighting and sound tech at traditional festivals will be utilized, according to the release. Streams and broadcasts will be available on the festival’s website and social accounts, local Channel 22, on public radio and through the DetroitJazzFest LIVE! app. DB
James Brandon Lewis earned honors for Artist of the Year and Tenor Saxophonist of the Year. Three of his recordings placed in the Albums of the Year category.
Jul 17, 2025 12:44 PM
You see before you what we believe is the largest and most comprehensive Critics Poll in the history of jazz. DownBeat…
Galper was often regarded as an underrated master of his craft.
Jul 22, 2025 10:58 AM
Hal Galper, a pianist, composer and arranger who enjoyed a substantial performing career but made perhaps a deeper…
Chuck Mangione on the cover of the May 8, 1975, edition of DownBeat.
Jul 29, 2025 1:00 PM
Chuck Mangione, one of the most popular trumpeters in jazz history, passed away on July 24 at home in Rochester, New…
“Hamiet was one of the most underrated musicians ever,” says Whitaker of baritone saxophonist Hamiet Bluiett.
Jul 8, 2025 7:30 AM
At 56, Rodney Whitaker, professor of jazz bass and director of jazz studies at Michigan State University, is equally…
Jul 17, 2025 11:35 AM
The DownBeat Critics Poll provides a wonderful snapshot of the jazz scene today, with much to explore and many great…
