2024 Detroit Jazz Festival: What to know, who's playing, where to park and more
NOTE: The first night of the Detroit Jazz Festival – Friday, Aug. 30 – is now virtual-only, due to threat of extreme weather. Friday's acts can be live-streamed at detroitjazzfest.org.
One of the Motor City’s biggest annual cultural events, the Detroit Jazz Festival, is back for another four-day, Labor Day weekend celebration downtown – and yes, it’s still completely free of charge to attend.
Here’s what to know before attending.
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Where is the festival located?
In downtown Detroit’s Hart Plaza (1 Hart Plaza) and along Woodward Avenue in Campus Martius Park. Campus Martius hosts the JPMorgan Chase Main Stage, while Hart Plaza holds the Carhartt Amphitheater Stage and the Absopure Waterfront Stage.
When is it happening, and who’s playing?
The festival kicks off at 6:40 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30, in Hart Plaza with New Orleans drum master Herlin Riley leading Dr. Valade’s Brass Band to the amphitheater stage, where Detroit jazz harp legend (and wife of John Coltrane) Alice Coltrane will be honored with the premiere of a new work led by their son, Ravi Coltrane. “Translinear Light” will also include harpist Brandee Younger, bassist Reggie Workman, and the Detroit Jazz Festival Chamber Orchestra. 2024 festival Artist-in-Residence Brian Blade and The Fellowship Band will close the night, playing from 9:15-10:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 31, will open all three stages, with performances beginning at 11 a.m. and playing concurrently through 10:40 p.m. Major names such as The Bad Plus, Monty Alexander, and Christian McBride & Inside Straight will be featured along with regional acts like Wendell Harrison and the Sean Dobbins Ensemble.
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Sunday, Sept. 1, music begins at 10:45 a.m. and continues through 10:30 p.m., with artists like Carmen Lundy, Chief Adjuah (formerly Christian Scott), Joshua Redman, and more, including the Michigan State University Jazz Orchestra 1 (directed by Rodney Whitaker) and a vibraphone summit featuring Warren Wolf, Joe Locke, Jason Marsalis, and Chien Chien Lu.
Monday, Sept. 2, music begins at 11:45 a.m. and runs through 9 p.m. Highlights include the Pablo Ziegler Quintet featuring Roberta Gambarini in a rare collaboration that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. The festival will close with Blade and The Fellowship Band joining the Detroit Jazz Festival Jazz Orchestra, arranged and conducted by Jim McNeely.
“The artists scheduled to perform on the festival stages reflect a very dynamic and eclectic group of talented jazz artists that represents our commitment to the propagation of jazz in all of its forms and evolutions, and mission to honor Detroit jazz legacy and present free jazz to our faithful fans in downtown Detroit and our audiences worldwide,” said Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation president and artistic director Chris Collins.
After the festival closes on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, free, after-hours concerts will be held at the new Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center, which opens this week a few minutes away in Midtown Detroit.
For the full weekend schedule, visit detroitjazzfest.org.
What does it cost?
The Detroit Jazz Festival is free to attend. VIP passes can be purchased at detroitjazzfest.org.
Where can I park my car?
Four nearby options are:
Financial District Garage: 730 Shelby St.
Greektown Garage: 1001 Brush St.
One Detroit Center Garage: 200 Larned St.
Two Detroit Garage: 160 E. Congress St.
Where can I park my bike?
The Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation is providing complimentary bike valet where you can safely leave your bike. The festival’s bike valet is located at the entrance of Hart Plaza, on the left.
Can I bring a folding chair and tent?
Visitors may bring folding chairs, but tents are prohibited.
Can I bring food or beverages?
Outside food and beverages are discouraged, and bringing alcohol onto the festival footprint is prohibited. There are food trucks and drink booths in both Hart Plaza and Campus Martius.
For further information, consult the Detroit Jazz Festival’s frequently asked questions page.
Contact Free Press arts and culture reporter Duante Beddingfield at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 2024 Detroit Jazz Festival: What to know, who's playing and more
