Tower of Power Headlines Opening Night of The 31st Annual Detroit International Jazz Festival | Sept. 3rd - 6th, 2010
31st Annual Detroit International Jazz
Festival
Announces an Eclectic Mix of High Profile Artistry
to the Existing 2010 Lineup
Tower of Power to Headline Opening Night
Announces an Eclectic Mix of High Profile Artistry
to the Existing 2010 Lineup
Tower of Power to Headline Opening Night
Today, festival organizers announce artist additions to the 2010 lineup for the 31st Detroit International Jazz Festival (DJF), Friday, September 3 through Monday, September 6, in downtown Detroit. The newly added artists further underscore an already existing diversity of musical genres, including funk, gospel and R&B.
Yellowjackets, Salim Washington & the Harlem Arts Ensemble, Jason D. Williams, and gospel sensation James Fortune & FIYA will join the previously announced roster featuring Mulgrew Miller, Take 6, Branford Marsalis, Terence Blanchard, Manhattan Transfer, Roy Haynes and Allen Toussaint.
"Soul" in all meanings of the word best describes opening night, Friday September 3. A spiritual performance by Take 6 and the Mulgrew Miller Trio will be followed by the urban soul music of Tower of Power. For over 40 years, this group has thrilled audiences all over the world with their unique brand of music. And there's a Detroit connection - band members Emillo Castillo and Tom Politzer both hail from our city.
The Yellowjackets have been cutting-edge purveyors of innovative, eclectic jazz for nearly thirty years. With every recording since their 1981 debut album, the Yellowjackets have pushed the boundaries of improvisational jazz and have been leaders in the music's inescapable evolution. Hailed as the "most adventurous quartet in contemporary jazz music" by All Music Guide, this multi-Grammy Award-winning group features Russell Ferrante, Will Kennedy, Jimmy Haslip and Bob Mintzer.
Jason D. Williams has the same musical innovation and on-the-edge attitude as Jerry Lee Lewis. The fiery Memphis-born pianist covers boogie-woogie rock & roll, classical, country and jazz, in what has been described as an "enthusiastic, reckless and stormy" way.
ASCAP Award winner and Stellar Award nominee James Fortune and FIYA will headline the DJF "Come MONday" gospel celebration on September 6. The Houston artist made music history with "I Trust You" - the longest running #1 single in gospel music. The group's rapid success in the gospel music industry has garnered international acclaim and opened the door to their sharing the stage opening for distinguished artists Stevie Wonder, Kirk Franklin, Kim Burrell, Fred Hammond, Smokie Norful and Donald Lawrence. Fortune was a featured guest judge for the 2009 Verizon Wireless How Sweet the Sound Competition.
The "Come MONday" gospel celebration will also feature Detroit's own Second Ebenezer and Triumph Church choirs.
Tenor saxophonist and composer Salim Washington grew up in Detroit where he followed in the footsteps of one of his early influences, Yusef Lateef. In addition to performing with his own group, Salim Washington & the Harlem Arts Ensemble, he also performs with Frank Lacey's Vibe Tribe and Ahmed Abdullah's Diaspora. Salim will be joined by KuUmba Frank Lacy, Melanie Dyer, Hakim Jami, Malik Washington, Aaron James and Detroit's own Pamela Wise.
For the full 2010 artist roster, visit detroitjazzfest.com. The lineup of Detroit-based jazz musicians playing the festival will be announced in mid-June.
Detroit International Jazz Festival (DJF) brings world-class artistry and tourism to Detroit, and is dedicated to music education and community service. On Labor Day Weekend, it shines a positive light on the city like no other event in Detroit. It attracts a diverse, educated audience, and because it is FREE, makes high quality performances accessible to all, including families and children. More than a weekend event, DJF is engaged in the community throughout the year, bringing national artists to Detroit to work with students and local musicians and to help support educational efforts in jazz with other cultural organizations. In 2010, the festival has received support from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Erb Foundation and the Kresge Foundation. Major corporate sponsors include Chase, Carhartt, Absopure, Mack Avenue Records, DTE Energy, Meijer, Budweiser, Pepsi, Comcast and Fox 2.
DL Media
Posted by Administration at 6/2/2010 8:10 AM 
Categories: International, Festivals, Events and Premieres, Concerts
Tags: Michigan
Categories: International, Festivals, Events and Premieres, Concerts
Tags: Michigan
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