Chris Collins, artistic director of the Detroit Jazz Festival joined me Friday to describe many 2015 Detroit Jazz Festival highlights.
His philosophies as both a jazz educator and musician come to full expression over the four music-filled days. From the opening multi-media presentation of "Benny's Threads" in tribute to Benny Goodman to the closing concert by Pat Metheny with a string orchestra honoring the late bassist Ebehard Weber, Chris Collins and his team have created a jazz festival unlike any other in the world.
Chris explains how Pat Metheny approached him with Pat's "artist-in-residence" proposal and how the entire Detroit jazz community will come together on Friday night to celebrate the life and music of Marcus Belgrave. Festival favorite bassist Charlie Haden will also be remembered in both live performance with Carla Bley, and in film and how Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" will be re-worked with a special Detroit spin.
Make your plans to take the bus round-trip to the Detroit Jazz Festival with WEMU and Golden Limo for just $10. WEMU hosts Linda Yohn, Michael Jewett, Wendy Wright and Jessica Webster will be stage MC. We're looking forward to seeing you there!
Linda Yohn is the 89.1 WEMU Music Director and Host of 89.1 Jazz. She can be reached at lyohn@emich.edu, or on twitter @LindaYohn
