Apr 29, 2025 11:53 AM
Vocalist Andy Bey Dies at 85
Singer Andy Bey, who illuminated the jazz scene for five decades with a four-octave range that encompassed a bellowing…
Natalie Cole, Chaka Khan and Roberta Flack will headline the 24th Annual Ford Detroit International Jazz Festival “Three Days of Divas” scheduled to take place at Hart Plaza Labor Day weekend, Aug. 30 through Sept. 1.
Younger divas Lizz Wright, Nneena Freelon and Hiromi will join the three 30-year veterans at FDIJF to help headline the event.
According to festival director Frank Malfitano, this year’s lineup has all the diva qualities: “Incredible voices, unforgettable songs, unique styles, and unparalleled performing careers.”
Men will play the festival as well.
Freddy Cole, Natalie’s uncle, will be co-headlining the event and is expected to play with Natalie on Sept. 1 at the main stage.
Peter Cincotti, Joey DeFrancesco, Ron Carter, James Moody, Russell Malone and Benny Green, the Caribbean Jazz Project, Ronnie Cuber’s Cubism, Russell Gunn, Greg Osby, and Ed Cherry are among other artists already confirmed.
Detroit’s history of music and automobiles come together every year as the Ford Motor Company joins the Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts and other sponsors to highlight past and present jazz.
For more information, go to www.detroitjazzfest.com.
“It kind of slows down, but it’s still kind of productive in a way, because you have something that you can be inspired by,” Andy Bey said on a 2019 episode of NPR Jazz Night in America, when he was 80. “The music is always inspiring.”
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