The Detroit International Jazz Festival, the world's largest free jazz festival, is held annually over Labor Day Weekend in Downtown Detroit, Michigan. Spanning Hart Plaza and Campus Martius Park, this renowned event covers two million square feet with non-stop music. Since its inception, the festival has honored Detroit's rich jazz heritage, spotlighting the city's historical contributions to the genre. It attracts global attention by showcasing top modern jazz musicians and world-class talent, making it a premier destination for jazz enthusiasts worldwide every Labor Day weekend.
Schedule of Events
The Detroit International Jazz Festival will feature performances starting at 5 pm on Friday and running until 11 pm. Saturday and Sunday will have performances from noon until 11 pm, and on Monday, performances will run from noon until 8:30 pm.
Lineup of Performers
Detroit International Jazz Festival features four days of music on six stages. The Festival will feature an impressive lineup of performers over Labor Day weekend in 2024. On Friday, the Festival kicks off with the 2024 Artist-In-Residence, Brian Blade and The Fellowship Band, followed by "TRANSLINEAR LIGHT: The Music of Alice Coltrane," featuring Ravi Coltrane with special guest Brandee Younger. Saturday brings a diverse array of artists, including Cameron Graves, Carmen Lundy, Charlie Sepulveda & The Turnaround, with a special guest, Christian McBride & Inside Straight, the Isaiah J. Thompson Quartet, Mimi Fox Organ Trio, Monty Alexander D-Day, Nate Smith, and The Bad Plus.
On Sunday, the festival continues with performances by Brian Blade and The Fellowship Band, Chief Adjuah (formerly Christian Scott), Ghost-Note, James "Blood" Ulmer Music Revelation Ensemble, the Joshua Redman Group featuring Gabrielle Cavassa on their "Where Are We" tour, Kyle Eastwood with "Eastwood Symphonic," Melanie Charles, The Vibraphone Summit with Warren Wolf, Joe Locke, Jason Marsalis, and Chien Chien Lui, and Vince Abbracciante Nocturno in collaboration with the Italian Cultural Institute of Chicago, presenting a solo accordion performance. The festival concludes on Monday with Brian Blade and The Fellowship Band, the Billy Childs Quartet with special guest Sean Jones, Marquis Hill: Composers Collective, the Pablo Ziegler Quintet featuring Roberta Gambarini, and the Zig Zag Power Trio featuring Vernon Reid, Melvin Gibbs, and Will Calhoun.
Tickets
The Detroit International Jazz Festival is entirely free for general admission. However, VIP options are available, including VIP seating at the main stages for $800, access to the Festival Foundation's Opening Night Party for $200, the Lincoln Gardens VIP Experience Jazz Bundle for $600, and the Jazz Pazz Bundle for $360.
History of Detroit International Jazz Festival
Founded by Robert McCabe and Detroit Renaissance in 1980, the Detroit International Jazz Festival draws approximately 300,000 attendees each year. Since the 1980s, the festival has forged a partnership with the prestigious Montreux International Jazz Festival in Switzerland, enriching the cultural fabric of Michigan's largest city with world-class entertainment. Beyond its annual Labor Day Weekend event, the festival hosts year-round concerts provides educational programming, and offers support to aspiring musicians, fostering a vibrant jazz community and legacy of musical excellence in Detroit.
