[JPL] Detroit Jazz Fest announces local musicians line up.

[Dr. Jazz]

June 10, 2009

Local musicians announced for jazz festival
/
By Mark Stryker
Free Press Music Writer/

Trumpeter Marcus Belgrave, pianist Johnny O'Neal, bluesman Johnnie 
Bassett and multi-reedman Wendell Harrison's Swing Ensemble head the 
roster of Detroit-based musicians performing at the 2009 Detroit 
International Jazz Festival. The 30th anniversary of the free Labor Day 
weekend festival will be held Sept. 4-7.

Festival leaders announced local acts on Tuesday, including the Dennis 
Coffey Quartet, Straight Ahead, Global Jazz Project, Dave Bennett 
Quartet, Tad Weed Trio (with guest vocalist Sheila Jordan, a 
Detroit-bred legend), Measured Chaos, Jesse Palter Quartet, Carolyn 
Striho-Rayse Biggs Project, T Money Green's Road Work, Kierra Sheard 
Presents Bold Right Life, the Clark Sisters, and the Northwestern High 
School 1980 Alumni Band.

In addition, the festival will also present several initiatives with 
unique local angels, including the Lyman Woodard Tribute Organization, a 
salute to the late Detroit organist led by Leonard King and Ron English; 
McKinfolks, a reunion of Detroit's prodigious McKinney family and 
tribute to the late patriarch Harold McKinney (performers include Kiane 
Zawadi, born Bernard McKinney) on euphonium; and Clevelander Ernie 
Krivda's Detroit Connection.

In a previously announced project, the Detroit-based Scott Gwinnell's 
Jazz Orchestra will be teaming with the Clayton Brothers Quintet to give 
the world premiere of a new work by composer, bassist and 2009 festival 
artist-in-residence John Clayton.

The Detroit Jazz Festival will take place on five stages that cover a 
broad swath of downtown that stretches from Hart Plaza on the riverfront 
to Campus Martius and Cadillac Square, with Woodward Avenue blocked off 
to create a pedestrian walkway. The event is the country's largest free 
jazz festival.

Festival leaders previously announced its 2009 national headliners and 
other initiatives. Among the highlights:

. The premiere of a commissioned work in honor of the festival's 30th 
anniversary by the 90-year-old composer and bandleader Gerald Wilson, 
who trained at Cass Tech in the 1930s.

. A "Keepin' Up with the Joneses" theme designed to honor the legendary 
Pontiac-bred brothers Hank, Thad and Elvin Jones. Pianist Hank Jones, 
90, the eldest and only surviving brother will perform.

. Performances by the Wayne Shorter Quartet; Chick Corea Trio; Dave 
Brubeck Quartet; Christian McBride and Inside Straight; a "Superbass 
Trio" with Christian McBride, Rodney Whitaker and John Clayton; Eddie 
Daniels; and Flint-bred Dee Dee Bridgewater.

. A number of artists with Detroit ties, including pianist Geri Allen 
with a quartet featuring a tap dancer; multi-reedman Bennie Maupin's 
Dolphyana (a tribute to Eric Dolphy); drummer Louis Hayes' Cannonball 
Legacy Band; alto saxophonist Charles McPherson; and drummer Karriem 
Riggins' Virtuoso Experience with Mulgrew Miller and DJ Madlib with: 
drummer Karriem Riggins' Virtuoso Experience with Mulgrew Miller and 
Pete Rock; and a recreation of Donald Byrd's "A New Perspective," an 
important 1963 gospel-influenced LP with a choir. (Byrd will not appear.)

. A salute to several famous families in jazz with performances by the 
Heath Brothers, Larry and Julian Coryell, Pete and Juan Escovedo, Brian 
Augur and Family, Clayton Brothers, Brubeck Brothers, John and Bucky 
Pizzarelli, T.S. Monk and Chuchito Valdes. Festival details are 
available at www.detroitjazzfest.com <http://www.detroitjazzfest.com>.


/Contact *MARK STRYKER*: 313-222-6459 or stryker at freepress.com 
<mailto:stryker at freepress.com>/

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