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…
Gretchen Valade’s Dirty Dog Jazz Café will open Feb. 13 in Detroit’s Grosse Pointe Farms’ commercial district.
Valade’s $10 million endowment solidified and expanded the Detroit Jazz Festival held over Labor Day weekend, and by opening the Dirty Dog she has created a new venue for musicians.
“I wanted it to be like the Blue Note,” said Valade, a jazz pianist and founder of Mack Avenue records. “That was my second home.”
The Dirty Dog will feature local and national jazz artists, many from the Mack Avenue label, and it will be a hotspot during the Labor Day weekend when national acts are in town for the jazz festival.
The Dirty Dog will host bassist Rodney Whitaker and drummer Carl Allen for two shows a night, 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., joined by singer Jennifer Sanon, a Wynton Marsalis protégé, on vocals for its opening week, Feb. 13–16.
Initially, there will be no cover charge at the club, which will be open Wednesday through Sundays.
More info: dirtydogjazz.com
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…
