[JPL] 30th Annual Detroit International Jazz Festival Announces 2009 Lineup

[Dr. Jazz]

30th Anniversary of the
Detroit International Jazz Festival

2009 Edition of the Labor Day Weekend Classic to Celebrate Family Jazz 
Dynasties and the Detroit Jazz Legacy

Bassist, composer, arranger John Clayton to serve as artist-in-residence

DETROIT, MI - Today, festival organizers announced the lineup for the 
30th Anniversary of the Detroit International Jazz Festival (DJF), 
Friday, September 4 through Monday, September 7, in downtown Detroit.

At a challenging time in Detroit, this year's jazz celebration will 
serve as a reminder of the greatness of Detroit and its musical soul.  
Subtitled "Keepin' Up with the Joneses," the Detroit Jazz Fest will give 
a nod to Thad, Elvin and Hank Jones, feature other great jazz families, 
and continue its recognition of the richness of Detroit's jazz history. 
"In this case, "keepin' up" means "living up" to the greatness of Hank, 
Elvin and Thad Jones - these important musical giants, and their 
incredible sense of swing," says Detroit Jazz Festival executive 
director, Terri Pontremoli. "In no way is this your typical family reunion!"

First, there are the "family guys":  91 year-old Hank Jones, the Clayton 
Brothers, Dave Brubeck & sons, John & Bucky Pizzarelli, Larry & Julian 
Coryell, the Heath Brothers, Pete & Juan Escovedo, and Brian Auger and 
his family.  Then, there are the "heirs" (musicians who represent strong 
family traditions): T.S. Monk with a "tentet" performance of Monk on 
Monk, and Chuchito Valdes - son and grandson of brilliant pianists 
Chucho and Bebo.

The homecoming of Detroit 's greats brings to the stages vocalist Sheila 
Jordan, known for her heartbreaking ballads and improvisational lyrics; 
pianist Geri Allen in a quartet featuring tap dancer Maurice Chestnut as 
an additional "voice" in the band; Louis Hayes (Cannonball Adderley's 
original drummer) with his Cannonball Legacy Band; Charles McPherson, 
known for his work with Mingus; the adventurous Bennie Maupin's 
Dolphyana - a tribute to Eric Dolphy; drummer Karriem Riggins' Virtuoso 
Experience with Mulgrew Miller and DJ Madlib; Dee Dee Bridgewater (okay 
Flint, close enough) with the Michigan State University Big Band; and 
Marcus Belgrave's Allstar Jazz Ensemble - a reunion of his protégés 
including Bob Hurst, Geri Allen and Karriem Riggins. Last, but certainly 
not least, the indefatigable Gerald Wilson, conducting his commissioned 
work for the festival's 30th anniversary.

Add to that a special treatment of Detroit trumpeter Donald Byrd's 
jazz-gospel recording A New Perspective - which also gives a festival 
nod to Blue Note on their 70th, and showcases Sean Jones and other 
artists from the Mack Avenue label, led by Detroit native Rodney 
Whitaker.  The festival will close with a commissioned "concerto grosso" 
by John Clayton, written for and performed by the Scott Gwinnell Jazz 
Orchestra and the Clayton Brothers Quintet.  The Clayton Brothers will 
open the performance with material from their CD Brother to Brother, 
which honors the amazing brother teams of the Burrells, the Heaths and 
the Adderleys, to name a few.  Detroit Jazz Fest and John Clayton were 
awarded a prestigious grant from the Joyce Foundation for this special 
project. Out of the four 2009 Joyce grant recipients in the Midwest, the 
Detroit Jazz Fest was the only music organization to receive the honor.

"Not everything will be Detroit or family-centric," says Pontremoli.  
"We're thrilled to have Chick Corea and his fabulous trio with Stanley 
(Clarke) and Lenny (White) on opening night.  And then, of course, 
there's Wayne Shorter with John Patitucci, Brian Blade and Danilo 
Perez...it just doesn't get much better than that!"  Festival fans will 
also be treated to a performance by vibraphonist Stefon Harris, and 
recently signed Mack Avenue artist Christian McBride will make a return 
appearance with his new quintet, Inside Straight.

Other cool presentations include a 100th birthday celebration for Benny 
Goodman by clarinetist extraordinaire Eddie Daniels and the WSU Big Band 
a; Bottoms Up!, a "superbass" performance by John Clayton, Christian 
McBride and Rodney Whitaker; and a piano tribute to Tommy Flanagan, Hank 
Jones, Barry Harris and Milt Jackson by pianist Antonio Ciacca.  Outside 
of jazz, audiences will be treated to appearances by Irma Thomas, the 
soul queen of New Orleans, Detroit's own gospel sister act, The Clark 
Sisters, and Motown's very own Contours featuring Sylvester Potts.

Rising star artists in 2009 include vocalist Gretchen Parlato (2004 
Thelonious Monk award winner); Alfredo Rodriquez, the stellar pianist 
recently discovered by Quincy Jones; and vocalist Jose James, who blew 
the audience away last year as a special guest in the Marvin Gaye tribute.

The Detroit International Jazz Festival will continue to encourage young 
talent not only by inviting college and high school ensembles to 
showcase, but by giving them opportunities to perform with jazz 
veterans.  The Wayne State University Big Band will perform the music of 
Benny Goodman with clarinetist Eddie Daniels and the Michigan State 
University Big Band will perform the works of John Clayton with Dee Dee 
Bridgewater. Other visiting schools include the Berklee (Boston) Jazz 
Ensemble, North Carolina Central University Jazz Ensemble and the 
Brubeck Institute Jazz Quartet.  Jazz Fest continues its partnership 
with MSBOA by showcasing outstanding Michigan high school jazz 
ensembles. And back by popular demand is the KidBop area for the 
wee-boppers and their parents, with stories, songs and other fun activities.

The Pepsi Jazz Talk Tent will also be full of laughs and stories, with 
Hank Jones, Christian McBride, Jimmy Heath, Bennie Maupin, Louis Hayes 
and Sheila Jordan.  Topics will range from remembering Cannonball to 
discussing the genius of Elvin Jones, Eric Dolphy, Donald Byrd, and the 
special piano trademark of Detroit.  The tent will also feature a 
gallery of historic festival photographs in honor of DJF's 30th anniversary.

"As is always the case with this festival, the musicians will be having 
wonderful reunions, and the ever-hip and amazing Detroit audience will 
be joining the family in their uniquely enthusiastic and respectful way."

The festival has been celebrating its 30th anniversary since February 
through its series, Another Great Day in Detroit.  Through 
collaborations with the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American 
History, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Wayne State University, Detroit 
Institute of Arts, Midsummer Nights in Midtown, the Guardian Building, 
the Rowland Café, and area jazz clubs, the festival is treating Detroit 
music lovers, showcasing Detroit musicians, and building momentum toward 
Labor Day Weekend.

The Detroit International Jazz Festival is the largest free jazz 
festival in North America. It has become a major tourist attraction, 
with 23% of its audience coming from out of state.  It has a $90M 
economic impact on Detroit and showcases the city in its most positive 
light.  The festival has received support from the National Endowment 
for the Arts, Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA), 
the Joyce Foundation and the Kresge Foundation. Major corporate sponsors 
include Chase, Carhartt, Absopure, Mack Avenue Records, DTE Energy, 
Whole Foods, Citizens Bank, Detroit Medical Center, Solaire, Pepsi, 
Comcast and Fox 2.  In addition, there is a growing base of individual 
support. "We are extremely grateful to have the support of these 
institutions and individuals," adds Pontremoli. "They are our life blood."

Nightly after-hour jam sessions will be held at the Detroit Marriott at 
the Renaissance Center, the official festival hotel.

New to the festival this year are Phase I of a Greening Program 
sponsored by DTE Energy and the DJF Maiden Voyage Cruise, presented by 
Citizens Bank on August 26.

For more information, including festival updates and details on how to 
become a Jazz Fest guardian or member of the Rhythm Section, visit 
www.detroitjazzfest.com.

###

Contact: Don Lucoff
National Publicist
610-667-0501 x101
don at jazzpublicity.com

Radio should contact Dr. Jazz
(800) 955-4375
drjazz at drjazz.com

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