It's a well known jazz festival, but what may not be known, is the large sum of money they received last year from Detroit philanthropist and Mack Avenue Records Chairman Gretchen Valade.

The festival is no longer confined to Hart Plaza, it now extends all the way up Woodward to Campus Martius Park.

Here are some names I'm excited about seeing:
Herbie Hancock
Dave Brubeck Quartet (maybe the last chance to see this old legend....)
Stanley Jordan Trio
Scott Henderson Trio
Medeski Scofield Martin & Wood (yes, all of them, together, again!)
Wayne State University Big Band with special guest Kurt Elling (great modern jazz vocalist)

and many others

I need to start bugging them to snag the fusion guitar virtuoso Allan Holdsworth. He doesn't play a whole lot these days outside of Europe and Cali...

Hope to see ya there

http://detroitjazzfest.com