ANOTHER ECLECTIC LINEUP FOR THE DETROIT JAZZ FESTIVAL

Pat Metheny

From now to Labor Day weekend, you have enough time to grow an extra pair of ears. Lord knows, you will need them to hear the performances on tap for the 36^th Annual Detroit Jazz Festival, the biggest in North America. On April 28^th, the lineup was announced at the Detroit Athletic Club. 

The lineup has an eclectic mix of mainstream and swing-outside-the-box performers and bands such as Ron Carter, Steve Turre, Carmen Lundy, Rene Marie, Christian Scott, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Monty Alexander, Brian Blade & His Fellowship Band, and Charlie Haden’s Liberation Music Orchestra. The festival runs from September 4th thru 7th.

Guitarist Pat Metheny is this year’s Artist-in-Residence. The 60-year-old Missouri native has put out 50 plus albums, won 17 Grammies, andhe has freelanced in bands led by jazz luminaries such as Gary Burton, Ornette Coleman, and Herbie Hancock. 

Metheny residency will likely have as many surprises as the former DJF’s Artist-in-Residence, which includes Joshua Redman, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Danilo Perez, and Christian McBride. Metheny will perform four sets during the festival, plus beforehand participate in some pre-festival programs. For a complete list of the scheduled performers click on http://www.detroitjazzfest.com/.