From Donald Byrd to Kenny Burrell, Elvin Jones to Yusef Lateef, Jazz roots run deep in Detroit, and this year’s Jazz Festival, the 35th of its kind, is sure to play in tune with tradition. Saxophonist Joshua Redman is slated to perform with piano-driven trio The Bad Plus. Bassist Dave Holland plays with Kevin Eubanks, Eric Harland, Craig Taborn. And trumpeter Tom Harrell’s band Colors of a Dream, with Esperanza Spalding, Jaleel Shaw, Jonathan Blake, Ugonna Okegwo, Wayne Escoffery, will also take the stage. Of course, a number of tribute acts will pay homage to some of the legends—Nat King Cole, Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, Dave Brubeck. These acts and more will perform across the four main stages in and around Hart Plaza in downtown Detroit.
Daily schedules vary, see website for details. Free. 1 Hart Plaza, Detroit, MI 48226. 313-447-1248. detroitjazzfest.com—BB
